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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. 

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

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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.

    • ASBFEO Small Business Pulse
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    • Number of small businesses in Australia
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      • Tasmania
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    • Location of Australia’s small businesses - regional and metro areas
    • Spotlight on Sole Traders

The February 2026 Small Business Pulse is now available

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  • ASBFEO Live (22)

Dispute support

… appropriate resolution service to help you resolve your business dispute. The most appropriate service for your … platform’s policy on dispute resolution, which is often under terms of use, is particularly helpful. The dispute … be able to help. IDCARE provides eligible sole traders and small businesses with specialist support and guidance when …

Basic page

Dispute case studies

… range of businesses to provide one-to-one assistance for business disputes, including referral to government support … resolution. Contract disputes Termination fee waived for small business  Due to financial stress, a small business was … she started investigations. She discovered she was still under contract to the local paper, even though she had never …

Basic page

February 2026 Small Business Pulse - Resilience, realism and resolve shape the small business outlook

Resilience, realism and resolve shape the small business outlook

February 2026

Key highlights:The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse increased by 0.1% in the three months to February 2026, marking the…

… February 2026 Small Business Pulse - Resilience, realism and resolve shape the … they are about the business of running the business under pressure – and doing so without a compliance misstep. … Resilience, realism and resolve shape the small business outlook February 2026 Key highlights: The …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small businesses renewal accelerates as owners embrace growth and transformation

Key highlights: ASBFEO Small Business Pulse November 2025

The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse increased by 0.8% in the three months to November 2025 – the third consecutive quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same…

… Small businesses renewal accelerates as owners embrace growth … 03 December 2025 Key highlights: ASBFEO Small Business Pulse November 2025 The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse … including penalty rates, casual staff and staff aged under twenty-one. “Concerns about other regulatory …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

ASBFEO marks 10 years of assistance and advocacy for Australia’s small and family businesses as Bruce Billson bids farewell

On 11 March, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is marking 10 years of advocating for small and family businesses, reflecting a decade of practical support, dispute resolution and advocating for fairer rules that…

… marks 10 years of assistance and advocacy for Australia’s small and family businesses as Bruce Billson bids farewell 10 March 2026 On 11 March, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is marking … family businesses to start, grow and succeed.  Established under the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Access to low cost advice for disputes

… ASBFEO may offer limited low-cost legal advice to eligible small businesses in dispute with another business or government agency.  This may be offered at 2 … dispute resolution in relation to a relevant action under s65 of the Australian Small Business and Family …

Basic page

ASBFEO Small Business Pulse

… ASBFEO Small Business Pulse Resilience, realism and resolve shape the small business outlook February 2026 Key highlights: The … they are about the business of running the business under pressure – and doing so without a compliance misstep. … Small Business Pulse is a world-leading index that provides …

Basic page

ASBFEO calls for improvements to enterprise environment to enable small business success

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging the Federal Government to deliver practical, targeted measures in the 2026–27 Budget to reduce costs, restore confidence and remove barriers that are holding back…

… calls for improvements to enterprise environment to enable small business success 02 March 2026 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Help small businesses thrive this MSME Day

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, urges all Australians to recognise the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of the people driving our 2.5 million small businesses on World Micro, Small and Medium-sized…

… Help small businesses thrive this MSME Day 26 June 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, … Help small businesses thrive this MSME Day …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Budget continues targeted relief as small businesses hope for recovery

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s 2025-26 Federal Budget was ‘the sequel’ to last year’s, offering modest targeted measures to help small and family business deal with specific current pain…

… Budget continues targeted relief as small businesses hope for recovery 25 March 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says … for the additional $155.5 million to the ATO to tackle under-reporting and ‘cashies’ is properly targeted so that it …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN’S SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE TO DEALING WITH DEBT

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide to help small business navigate the challenge of paying or collecting a debt.

“Outstanding debts can be overwhelming for a small business – whether…

… OMBUDSMAN’S SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE TO DEALING WITH DEBT 18 November 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has … OMBUDSMAN’S SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE TO DEALING WITH DEBT …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

New protections will blunt ‘too sharp by half’ conduct that harms small businesses

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has enthusiastically welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to introduce protections for small and family businesses harmed by unfair business trading practices. 

…

… will blunt ‘too sharp by half’ conduct that harms small businesses 14 March 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has … will blunt ‘too sharp by half’ conduct that harms small businesses …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Tasmania

… Tasmania There were 42,010 small businesses in Tasmania, representing 2% of Australian small businesses on 30 June 2023. This is in proportion to … Calculated by ASBFEO based on the ABS definition of small business of 0-19 employees. Source: Based on Australian …

Basic page

Recognise enterprising women in small and family business by removing bias and barriers

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, gives recognition and applauds women in small and family business ahead of International Women’s Day.  

“More than half a million Australian women say their main…

… Recognise enterprising women in small and family business by removing bias and barriers 05 March 2026 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of family owned businesses on National Family Business Day, 19 September

Family owned businesses play a crucial role in the economy and our communities. Some of Australia’s most successful businesses are family businesses. They are also some of the most enduring, over generations, building a legacy in name and value to the…

… spirit of family owned businesses on National Family Business Day, 19 September 18 September 2025 Family owned … largest businesses that once started out as a family business, their business success is also part of Australia’s … well as professional services. As if owning and running a small business isn’t challenging enough, these challenges are …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Resources for starting a small business

… Resources for starting a small business Looking to start a small business? Our mission is to ensure Australia is the … Australia is the best place to start, grow or transform a business. We strive to make sure your business can access every support available to have every …

Basic page

MEDIA RELEASE: Surge in small business disputes with Big Tech platforms

The number of small business disputes with Big Tech platform providers is 86 per cent higher than the same time last year, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said over the past…

… MEDIA RELEASE: Surge in small business disputes with Big Tech platforms 15 October 2024 The number of small business disputes with Big Tech platform providers is … The number of small business disputes with Big Tech platform providers is 86 per … MEDIA RELEASE: Surge in small business disputes with Big Tech platforms …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Apprentices and Trainees Employed by Small Business

… Apprentices and Trainees Employed by Small Business This data includes the numbers, industries and … were aged 24 and under in December 2023. The number of apprentices and … the numbers, industries and demographics of Australia’s small business apprentices and trainees and illustrates the …

Basic page

New South Wales

… New South Wales There were 849,075 small businesses in New South Wales (NSW) on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 34% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 31% of the population that live … 2021-22, Accessed 15 January 2024  Table 1: Small business in NSW, 30 June 2023 Download data Source:  Based …

Basic page

Victoria

… Victoria There were 701,061 small businesses in Victoria on 30 June 2023, representing 28% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 25% of the population that … 2021-22, Accessed 15 January 2024 Table 1: Small business in Victoria, 30 June 2023 Download data Source : …

Basic page

How we help

… help The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute … or Commonwealth Government agencies. If you are a Small Business operator in dispute with another business or … We maintain an ADR Practitioner list who conduct ADR under our legislation and the franchising , horticulture, …

Basic page

Queensland

… Queensland There were 482,836 small businesses in Queensland on 30 June 2023, representing 19% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 20% of Australia’s population … 2021-22 , Accessed 15 January 2024. Table 1: Small business in Queensland, 30 June 2023 Download data Source : …

Basic page

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

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Western Australia

… Western Australia There were 238,907 small businesses in Western Australia on 30 June 2023, representing 9% of all Australian small businesses and in proportion with 11% of Australians … Calculated by ASBFEO based on the ABS definition of small business of 0-19 employees. Source: Based on Australian …

Basic page

South Australia

… South Australia There were 155,221 small businesses in South Australia on 30 June 2023, representing 6% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 7% of the population living in … 2021-22, Accessed 15 January 2024 Table 1: Small business in South Australia, 30 June 2023 Download data Total …

Basic page

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 … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

About us

… About us The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) was … ASBFEO does not have specific agency responsibilities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability …

Basic page

Northern Territory

… Northern Territory There were 15,431 small businesses in the Northern Territory on 30 June 2023, representing 1% of Australian small businesses. This is consistent with the 1% of … Calculated by ASBFEO based on the ABS definition of small business of 0-19 employees. Source: Based on Australian …

Basic page

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

Number of small businesses in Australia

… Number of small businesses in Australia Small business’ contribution to Australian business numbers … Small business’ contribution to Australian business numbers is one … economy. This can be explored by looking at the number of small businesses by employment and turnover. …

Basic page

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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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