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    Disputes & Assistance

    The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute with other businesses or Commonwealth Government agencies. 

    We provide information about dispute resolution options, access to mediation, alternative dispute resolution processes under the Franchising, Horticulture, Dairy and Oil Codes of Conduct, and assistance with disputes with the ATO.  

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    Policy & Advocacy

    The ASBFEO understand the challenges facing small businesses and family enterprises. 

    We provide advice and insights to policy and decision makers, conduct research, deliver inquiries, comment on legislation, provide advice to Ministers, and undertake outreach and engagement activities to ensure Australia is the best place to start, grow and transform a business.

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    Resources & Tools Centre

    There are so many useful resources, tools and sources of information which assist and support small businesses and family enterprises to run their business.

    We have compiled these supports for you, relevant to your interests and needs, to help your business succeed.  

    • Cyber security
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  • Media Centre

    Media Centre

    Connect with us and keep up with our latest news, media releases, social media, successes and policy and advocacy work. 

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    Small Business Data Portal

    Our Small Business Data Portal brings together the latest statistics about small businesses and family enterprises and their contribution to the Australian economy.

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Content type

  • Media Centre item (299)

Media Section

  • Media Centre (285)
  • Disputes & Assistance (3)
  • Policy & Advocacy (2)
  • Resources & Tools Centre (1)

Media Source

  • (-) ASBFEO Live (299)

Success story type

SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

New instant asset write-off thresholds, updated tax rules, increased superannuation payments and a rise in the minimum wage are among changes coming into effect on 1 July, says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise…

… SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS 28 June 2023 New instant asset write-off thresholds, … cooktops, and installing batteries and heat pumps. Under the scheme, which is pending passage through …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

OP-ED: Big tech is failing the little guys

Bruce Billson 

 

Published in the Bendigo Advertiser and ACM Network

14 October, 2024

BIG tech digital platform providers need to urgently lift their game and provide clear, appropriate and easily…

… provide clear, appropriate and easily accessible help for small business - with a real person they can talk to. Whether it is … or any of the many other digital platform providers, small and family businesses are getting a raw deal when they …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Excessive insurance premiums are killing small businesses

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Finding adequate insurance cover at commercially viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge for small and family businesses.

There have been countless examples of small businesses closing…

… Excessive insurance premiums are killing small businesses 04 March 2024 Originally published in the … viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge for small and family businesses. There have been countless … it' insurance products that in some case undermine the business's ability to operate with any hope of being viable. …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

OCTOBER 2022 BUDGET

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s Budget handed down by the Australian Government will provide welcome capability building, mental health and financial advice support for small businesses and…

… OCTOBER 2022 BUDGET 25 October 2022 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says … building, mental health and financial advice support for small businesses and incentives to grow, transform and become …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has welcomed the expansion of subsidised legal advice for eligible small and family businesses to support more effective engagement in dispute resolution processes.

The…

… New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes 03 March 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed)

By Bruce Billson

Originally published in the Herald Sun.

At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much to ask that their big business customers play their parts by paying their invoices in a more…

… Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed) 14 February 2023 By Bruce Billson Originally published in the Herald Sun. At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much … reveal only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days, while almost a …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business insurance crisis

 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Leon Delaney

The Australian Small…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business insurance crisis 04 March 2024   Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … that may choose, in some cases courageously choose, to under-insured and perhaps worryingly not insure at all …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Insolvency figures, small business pulse, ASBFEO assistance

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nick Rheinberger.

ABC Radio…

… Insolvency figures, small business pulse, ASBFEO assistance 19 June 2025 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Australia wants to lift productivity? Here are some practical initiatives

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The first half of this year has been characterised as a test of endurance for many small businesses, but I'm encouraged by the enduring optimism and the promise of improvement.…

… has been characterised as a test of endurance for many small businesses, but I'm encouraged by the enduring optimism … foundation is essential. Courageous and committed small business owners have been contending with a prolonged … employees and employers alike. But if small businesses go under, that's devastating for the owner. It's livelihoods …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged struggling small and family businesses to be proactive at tax time, as a new report reveals declining payment plans despite record collectible debt owed to the…

… Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time 30 June 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Digital platforms and small businesses

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Narelle Graham on ABC Radio South Australia.

Subject: Digital platforms and small businesses 

Narelle Graham 

…

… TRANSCRIPT: Digital platforms and small businesses 27 April 2023 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GETTING OLDER

Australia’s small business owners are rapidly getting older as the proportion of younger entrepreneurs shrinks, according to research from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Bruce Billson said the most…

… SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GETTING OLDER 23 August 2023 Australia’s small business owners are rapidly getting older as the … with only 8 per cent of small business owners aged under 30. It is half the peak for this age group of 17 per …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman launches small business natural disaster preparedness inquiry

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

Ombudsman launches small business natural disaster preparedness inquiry

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has launched an…

… Ombudsman launches small business natural disaster preparedness inquiry 21 January 2022 MEDIA STATEMENT   Ombudsman launches small business natural disaster preparedness inquiry The …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

DON’T BE DUPED BY SCAM OPERATORS

Small business owners are being urged by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, to be on high alert to the rising number of criminals who may try to impersonate their business or a government agency such as the…

… DON’T BE DUPED BY SCAM OPERATORS 27 November 2023 Small business owners are being urged by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

MEDIA RELEASE: Australian small business selling online warned to be aware of US copyright laws

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide to raise awareness among small businesses selling online about United States’ copyright laws that can shut down their access to customers without warning…

… MEDIA RELEASE: Australian small business selling online warned to be aware of US copyright … livelihoods damaged by unfounded allegations being made under these laws and then have their products taken down …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms; being locked out of social media accounts; fake reviews

 

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Casey Briggs.

ABC TV News Channel

Subjects: Small business problems…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms; being locked out of … accounts; fake reviews   Casey Briggs Tech giant Meta is under pressure after a dramatic rise in people having their …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Online tool a red-tape buster for small business employers: Ombudsman

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed a new online tool for small business owners, designed to take the stress out of hiring their first employee.

The Employment Contract Tool – recently…

… Online tool a red-tape buster for small business employers: Ombudsman 22 June 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes faster payment times for small business sub-contractors

Businesses with Commonwealth government contracts will have to pay their small business sub-contractors within 20 days or risk fines and penalties under new laws starting today, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce…

… Ombudsman welcomes faster payment times for small business sub-contractors 01 October 2021 Businesses with … sub-contractors within 20 days or risk fines and penalties under new laws starting today, says the Australian Small …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman praises ATO small business independent review service

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the ATO’s decision to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering, following a highly successful pilot program.

Mr Billson…

… Ombudsman praises ATO small business independent review service 26 March 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Supermarket inquiry, Federal Circuit Court Small Business and Codes List

 TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Ross Greenwood.

Business Now, Sky News

Subject: Supermarket inquiry, Federal…

… TRANSCRIPT: Supermarket inquiry, Federal Circuit Court Small Business and Codes List 16 April 2024  TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

VITAL SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTIONS SAVED IN NEW BANKING CODE OF PRACTICE

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says he welcomes the regulator’s decision to retain and enhance vital protections for small businesses in the new Banking Code of Practice. 

“A push by the banks…

… VITAL SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTIONS SAVED IN NEW BANKING CODE OF PRACTICE 09 July 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … things necessary to ensure that banking services provided under the code are provided efficiently, honestly and fairly. …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman overwhelmed by natural disaster-impacted small business survey response

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has thanked the 2,000 small and family businesses which have completed an online survey as part of the Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry.…

… Ombudsman overwhelmed by natural disaster-impacted small business survey response 21 February 2022 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Celebrating Australia's great family businesses

This week we celebrate National Family Business Day - on Thursday, September 19.

It's a great moment to reflect on the crucial role family-owned businesses play in the economy and throughout our communities.

Think about the many farming,…

… 16 September 2024 This week we celebrate National Family Business Day - on Thursday, September 19. It's a great moment … and wife. It's a big responsibility owning and running a small business and that is magnified when it is a family … for the next generation? The implications of the ageing small business community are in many cases amplified when it …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing); regional bank branch closures

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Eddie Williams.

ABC Radio South East NSW

Subjects: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost…

… bank branch closures 19 March 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … something called the Payment Systems Board, which sits under the Reserve Bank. They've got some capacity to …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes government move to deliver small business tax breaks

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver tax breaks that will help small businesses have greater support, incentives and skills to grow.

The…

… Ombudsman welcomes government move to deliver small business tax breaks 30 August 2022 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes support for small businesses in lockdown

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the additional support to small businesses impacted by protracted lockdowns, announced by the Australian Government.

From week four of the lockdown, small…

… Ombudsman welcomes support for small businesses in lockdown 14 July 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has … and trading restrictions put small and family businesses under enormous pressure. “It is vital small business owners …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO HELP SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESSES

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Albanese government’s move to introduce legislation into Parliament to crackdown on unfair contract terms and increase penalties for anti-competitive…

… OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO HELP SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESSES 28 September 2022 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

When the dining table becomes the board table – celebrating National Family Business Day

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging all Australians to celebrate National Family Business Day on Thursday 19 September.

“It’s a great moment to reflect on the crucial role family-owned…

… becomes the board table – celebrating National Family Business Day 17 September 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … wife.   “It’s a big responsibility owning and running a small business and that is magnified when it is a family …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Internet domain name changes

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Rebecca Levingston.

ABC Brisbane

20 September 2022…

… name changes 20 September 2022 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … that web address is today. Bruce Billson is the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Bruce, good …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

This must be the last time Optus cuts off small business

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson

The new Optus leadership needs to demonstrate it truly understands the economic pain the recent outage has inflicted on some small and family businesses.

Our…

… This must be the last time Optus cuts off small business 21 November 2023 Originally published in The Daily … the economic pain the recent outage has inflicted on some small and family businesses. Our hardworking small and family …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

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We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, water and community.

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