Skip to main content
Home

Spotlight Menu

  • About us
  • Latest news
  • Subscribe
x

Subscribe to Our Newsletter




 

 

 
  • About us
    • Contact Us
  • Disputes & Assistance

    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.  

    • How We Help
    • Dispute support
    • Five steps to resolve your dispute
    • Franchising
      • Franchising done well
        • Different types of franchises
        • Characteristics that are important in a franchise relationship
        • Specific purpose funds
      • Resources for starting a franchise
        • Before you sign – do your research on the franchise
        • Assess the franchise opportunities and seek professional advice
        • Read the franchise agreement
      • Franchising Code of Conduct and Alternative Dispute Resolution
        • Franchising Mediation Feedback Form
      • Managing change
        • Best practice for franchisors
          • The psychology of change
          • Change management tips for franchisors
      • Exiting a franchise
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Compliance
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisees
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisors
        • Tax implications - transferring or terminating a franchise
    • The Tax Concierge Service
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Access to low cost advice for disputes
    • Dispute case studies
    • Industry Codes
      • Dairy Code
      • Oil Code
      • Horticulture Code
        • Produce Assessors
      • Food and Grocery Code
  • Policy & Advocacy

    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.

    • 14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses
    • Policy insights
    • Submissions
    • Share your thoughts
      • One thing ASBFEO can do for me
      • Consultation feedback
  • Resources & Tools Centre

    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.  

    • Our network
    • Cyber security
    • Financial Wellbeing
    • Mental health
    • Handling debts
    • Using social media securely
    • Resources for starting a small business
    • Getting the most out of your digital marketing service provider
    • How Digital Marketing Providers can impress small business clients
    • Intellectual property
    • Disaster preparation and recovery
    • Climate-related financial disclosures
    • Self-employment
    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
    • Default credit listings
    • Disputes with an overseas business
    • Small Business Hub
    • Working as a delivery driver
    • ‘Small Business, Big Dreams’ Fact Sheet
  • Media Centre

    Media Centre

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

    We also share the latest developments from other government authorities and regulators, our peers and our networks on our Media Centre.   

    • Media releases
    • Transcripts
    • Op-eds
    • Newsletters
    • Quarterly reports
    • Events
    • Social media
    • Contact Us
    • MSME Day
  • Small Business Data Portal

    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
    • Small Business Matters
    • Contribution to Australian Gross Domestic Product
    • Contribution to Australian Employment
    • Number of small businesses in Australia
    • Apprentices and Trainees Employed by Small Business
    • Location of Australia’s small businesses by state and territory
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
      • South Australia
      • Victoria
      • Western Australia
      • Tasmania
      • Northern Territory
      • Australian Capital Territory
      • Other Territories
    • Location of Australia’s small businesses - regional and metro areas

The November 2025 Small Business Pulse is now available

  • Print page
  • Email page
  1. Home

Content type

  • Media Centre item (202)
  • Basic page (78)
  • Submission (66)
  • Newsletters (8)
  • Report (3)

Media Section

  • Media Centre (193)
  • Policy & Advocacy (2)
  • Disputes & Assistance (1)
  • Resources & Tools Centre (1)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (202)

Handling debts

… Handling debts Dealing with outstanding debts can be overwhelming for small businesses. It makes it hard to … legal action if possible. This might include proposing a payment plan. Resources to help: What to do when you haven't … you owe and are able to pay. You can then offer to enter a payment plan for the remainder. Make sure that any payment …

Basic page

Language Assistance

… language. Some content (such as images, videos) may not be accurately translated due to the limitations of the … telephone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Information Line is open from Monday …

Basic page

Contact Us

… not attach any illegal, restricted or offensive content. Be aware that we will be obliged to report any inappropriate content that we … not attach any illegal, restricted or offensive content. Be aware that we will be obliged to report any inappropriate …

Basic page

Default credit listings

… steps to avoid this outcome – such as negotiating a payment plan with your creditor. A default listing can … default listing has been made, only incorrect details can be corrected – accurate information cannot be changed or removed. Credit scores and credit reports are …

Basic page

Small Business Hub

… to notify an ASBFEO employee of your arrival.  You will be issued with a single-use access pass to the hub, and it must be returned at the end of your visit in the “Pass Return” box … at the reception counter and can be re-issued on the day of your next visit.   Note:  You are responsible to keep …

Basic page

I'm optimistic this roundtable will produce positive and real outcomes. It needs to

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The government's Economic Reform Roundtable kicks off tomorrow, and I am optimistic that real outcomes with positive and lasting impact on small and family businesses are in reach…

… small and family businesses are in reach. And they need to be. Operating conditions have been tough for small businesses … and aspirations of small and family businesses to be heard and at the front of mind, and not just over the next … itself. It will serve our nation well. The roundtable will be very worthwhile if all the impressive delegates have small …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Privacy

… or authorised by law). We will seek your consent at the time your information is collected or as soon as practicable thereafter. Information may be collected by: Type of information: Information collected … and shared in this way is typically obtained at the time you first use an application or service on your device. …

Basic page

3G shutdown to affect small, family and farming businesses

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G shutdown to affect small, family and farming businesses

Leon Delaney

…

… and lots of pieces of business equipment that might well be caught up in the phase out of 3G. Joining me now, the … Billson. Good afternoon. Bruce Billson Leon, great to be with you and your listeners.  Leon Delaney Thanks for … you're counting on them to work, and all of a sudden, the day after October 28 they don't happen, that can come as a …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… commercial matters, particularly where industry codes may be involved. ‘It is pleasing that the Government has expanded … and empowering this kind of low-cost legal advice can be for an unrepresentative small business disputing a tax … 2016, ASBFEO has helped over 50,000 small businesses. At a time when most small businesses are facing many headwinds, I …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Our network

… of independent contractors and all self-employed people to be treated fairly, justly, and equitably in Australia. … nature of small firms, how they operate and how they might be supported by government, industry, and academia. Supply … a streamlined and improved user experience, reducing the time to register as a new business, or apply for additional …

Basic page

Future of cash

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nadia Mitsopoulos.

ABC Radio Perth

Subject: Future of cash

 …

… are fronting up to local businesses, expecting them to be the automatic teller machine, to cough up some cash … reasonably available bank branch, is not just about the day-to-day transactions. It’s also where they go to get advice … reasonably available bank branch, is not just about the day-to-day transactions. It’s also where they go to get …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Using social media securely

… Using social media securely Using social media can be a valuable way to grow and increase awareness of your … turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so that … your issue immediately with Meta and remember it may take time to resolve it. Keep a copy of the details and number of …

Basic page

Self-employment

… an exciting and sustainable option for people who want to be their own boss and have their own business. We understand … support available to you; that you can access in your own time and at your own pace. You can choose the resources that … structures and information sources to indicate the real-time success of your business, so you can adjust and make …

Basic page

Working as a delivery driver

… can provide flexibility to small businesses and can be an excellent way to earn money for your specific skills. … app, spreadsheet, timelog? Is superannuation part of the payment? And don’t forget you might need to pay tax! 3. Check … as a contractor, and there can be a lot of demands on your time. It may be hard to turn down that contract that seems …

Basic page

… overjoyed to have their account restored, especially in time for them to do their pre-Christmas promotion! Restoring … to cancel both his listing and outstanding invoice and be added to their ‘do not contact’ list. The online directory … overjoyed to have their account restored, especially in time for them to do their pre-Christmas promotion! Restoring …

… support resources available on Business.gov.au We may also be able to help you – or point you to someone who can help. … support resources available on Business.gov.au We may also be able to help you – or point you to someone who can help. …

Promoting competition and lowering small business payment costs through default debit card settings and tokenisation

… Promoting competition and lowering small business payment costs through default debit card settings and … Promoting competition and lowering small business payment costs through default debit card settings and …

Submission

…   how casual work is defined   the pathway to full-time or part-time employment   employee and employer responsibilities.   …   how casual work is defined   the pathway to full-time or part-time employment   employee and employer responsibilities.   …

… increased by 3,146 (2%) in Greater Perth over the year to 30 June 2023. The areas with the largest increase in small … Western Australia increased by 671 (1%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The largest increase in the number of small … increased by 3,146 (2%) in Greater Perth over the year to 30 June 2023. The areas with the largest increase in small …

… There were 482,836 small businesses in Queensland on 30 June 2023, representing 19% of all Australian small … 15 January 2024. Table 1: Small business in Queensland, 30 June 2023 … There were 482,836 small businesses in Queensland on 30 June 2023, representing 19% of all Australian small …

… There were 701,061 small businesses in Victoria on 30 June 2023, representing 28% of all Australian small … 15 January 2024 Table 1: Small business in Victoria, 30 June 2023 … There were 701,061 small businesses in Victoria on 30 June 2023, representing 28% of all Australian small …

Alternative Dispute Resolution

… owner, navigating disputes with other businesses can be overwhelming and stressful. Alternative dispute resolution … owner, navigating disputes with other businesses can be overwhelming and stressful. Alternative dispute resolution …

Basic page

… and over. Only 8% of small business owners are aged under 30. This is a decrease from the peak of 17% in 1976. The most … were twice as many small business owners aged between 30 and 49 as there were aged over 50. Chart 7: Age of … and over. Only 8% of small business owners are aged under 30. This is a decrease from the peak of 17% in 1976. The most …

… Census 2021 68% of self-employed females are working part-time, compared to 47% of female employees in the overall workforce who work part-time. Chart 6: Female self-employed vs employee working … Census 2021 68% of self-employed females are working part-time, compared to 47% of female employees in the overall …

… goals to display your practical approach and interest. Be clear on your specific services, how much they cost, and … goals to display your practical approach and interest. Be clear on your specific services, how much they cost, and …

… Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman may be able to help you. The Inspector-General and Taxation … Board. Examples of administrative action include the time it takes to get a response, the conduct of officers, the … Board. Examples of administrative action include the time it takes to get a response, the conduct of officers, the …

… Table 3: Number of small businesses in regional areas, 30 June 2023 … Table 3: Number of small businesses in regional areas, 30 June 2023 …

… were 259,631 small businesses in the rest of Queensland on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 54% of Queensland’s small … were 259,631 small businesses in the rest of Queensland on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 54% of Queensland’s small …

Pagination

  • « First First page
  • ‹ Previous Previous page
  • …
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • …
  • Next › Next page
  • Last » Last page

Connect with us

facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

twitter

 

 

 

 

 

instagram

 

 

 

 

 

linkedin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

youtube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

newsletter

 

 

atsi

Acknowledgement of Country

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

We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past, present and emerging.

Primary Footer Menu 1

  • Social Media
  • Resources and tools
  • Data portal
  • Dispute support
  • One thing ASBFEO can do for me
  • Contact us

Highlight

  • About
  • Copyright

Footer menu

  • Language Assistance
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap