Australia set to be one of the world's fastest growing economies after COVID-19 pandemic

As restrictions ease, transitioning a million Aussies back into the workforce will become the country's new challenge.

According to Deloitte economist Chris Richardson, the road will be rocky, but there is a silver lining.

"There is about to be a phase of good news here in Australia, we will be one of the five or six fastest growing economies in the world, we've earned that right because we've fought so well against the virus," Mr Richardson told A Current Affair.

Many Aussie businesses have had to adapt during the COVID-19 to keep from going under.

For icon Readings Bookstore in Lygon Street Carlton, that has meant transforming from a bricks and mortar store into an online shop.

"I never thought that would happen," Mark Rubbo, who runs the store, told A Current Affair.

Yet while adapting to the virus was a sprint, economist Mr Richardson says recovery will be a marathon.

"It's not going to be easy for many small businesses and they will need continuing help from the government and taxpayers and taxpayers won't like that it, it'll mean even more debt on the way through," he said.

Small business owners though are more optimistic, rearing to open their doors.

Nicol and her twin sister Martine, who run Black Orange Boutique in Melbourne, say they can hardly wait to have customers back in their store.

"We are ready we're going to have champagne, we're going to have balloons," Nicole told A Current Affair.

"It's going to be like retail on steroids."