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  • 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.  

    • Small Business Commissioners
    • Cyber security
    • Financial wellbeing
    • Mental health
    • Handling debts
    • Resources for starting a small business
    • Using social media securely
    • Getting the most out of your digital marketing service provider
    • How Digital Marketing Providers can impress small business clients
    • Intellectual property
    • Climate-related financial disclosures
    • Disaster preparation and recovery
    • Self-employment
    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
    • Disputes with an overseas business
    • Small Business Hub
    • Default credit listings
    • Working as a delivery driver
    • Healthy business relationships and dispute resolution
    • ‘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
    • 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
    • Spotlight on Sole Traders

The February 2026 Small Business Pulse is now available

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  1. Home

Content type

  • Basic page (80)
  • Media Centre item (28)
  • Submission (14)
  • Report (3)

Media Section

  • Media Centre (27)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (28)

Updates from ASIC, Business Tasmania, Queensland Government and more

… law and leave unsuspecting investors out of pocket will be a top target for the corporate regulator, which is …

Basic page

… By post: GPO Box 1791 CANBERRA ACT 2601.  A complaint may be made on behalf of a complainant by a guardian, friend, … By post: GPO Box 1791 CANBERRA ACT 2601.  A complaint may be made on behalf of a complainant by a guardian, friend, …

… #1: Be transparent with your decision-making processes. Don't … open forums to gather what's on people's minds and be willing to answer these questions in a factual, empathetic and direct manner. Responses need to be truthful, the whole truth and create a truthful …

… 1. Are you okay? Reach out to support or loved ones if need be (family, friends, local support groups). Read BeyondBlue’s … support funds Check what government assistance may be available in your area on the National Emergency … clean-up costs or temporary storage costs (there may be insurance, government assistance and tax deduction …

ACCC Supermarket Inquiry highlights need for continuing vigilance to support fairness

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Supermarket Inquiry report confirms that the supermarket sector is highly concentrated and unduly challenging for small business suppliers, says the Australian Small Business and Family…

… independent retailers have been losing market share over time. The ASBFEO’s experience accords with the ACCC’s … family business economy back on the right trajectory, to be able to fully realise its potential to contribute to … independent retailers have been losing market share over time. The ASBFEO’s experience accords with the ACCC’s …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Horticulture Code

… A Horticulture Produce Assessor (the assessor) may be appointed by the parties at any stage of the dispute process. The assessor may be appointed in two ways: if the parties to a Horticulture … a list of horticulture produce assessors which can be found  here . If you are interested in being on our list …

Basic page

Read the franchise agreement

… is going as planned, and how unplanned matters will be dealt with. Examples of unplanned events include ending … opportunities where you need invest only capital, time and effort.  Many franchise systems are somewhere in the … Is there a clause about paying out the remainder of the time? If this happened, would you have enough money to pay? …

Basic page

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…

… in ASBFEO’s 14 steps to energise enterprise at this time of a surge in insolvencies, a reduction in the economic … taking on their first employee. “Small business needs to be front of mind for our policy makers and regulators. We … said. “Broad consultation with small businesses will be important to ensure that the proposed banning of …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… systems provide for and encourage you to spend some time working alongside a franchisee to gain a first-hand … sense of what you can expect if you invest. This can be a valuable reality check and a great way to establish how … systems provide for and encourage you to spend some time working alongside a franchisee to gain a first-hand …

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…

… a small business has become harder than it needs to be. “Small businesses are doing the heavy lifting in every … and complexity. “A small business first mindset should be adopted where every new policy and program is first be tested through a small business lens, so we are not …

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. 

…

… into ‘a take it or leave it’ contract they would likely be in breach of the unfair contract terms laws. But by not … into ‘a take it or leave it’ contract they would likely be in breach of the unfair contract terms laws. But by not …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Intellectual property

… your business’s intellectual property (IP)?  IP can be incredibly valuable for your small business so it’s … exclusive rights to profit from them. Types of IP that can be registered: There are four main types of IP that can be registered with IP Australia , the Australian government …

Basic page

The psychology of change

… are resistant to change, but experience shows few will be immovably resistant. For most resistance to change comes … organisational culture, and a range of factors that can be broadly summarised as poor change management.  Within the … you identified and sought the input of sub-groups who will be affected for better or worse by the initiative, or can …

Basic page

… ranked by number of people employed by small business, 30 June 2023 Source:   ABS Australian Industry , Table 5, May …

Speaking engagements and events policy

Basic page

… Event name Location Event link Proposed date and time Details of the event, including expectations of the … speaking engagement Details of other individuals who may be presenting/notable attendees Cost to attendees Expected … Agreement to meet all reasonable expenses that may be incurred while attending the presentation (if required) …

Contracts with Viewble Media and The Shoppers Network

… still active in this space and warns small businesses to be extremely cautious of any 'no cost' or 'cost … are signing up to. If a sales pitch sounds too good to be true, small business owners should examine the companies, …

Basic page

… tool to identify the best way to get help.  ASBFEO may be able to help with your dispute. If your dispute is not … an  online form  and one of our case managers will be in contact with you. …

… 4. Focus On what can be controlled and what is being achieved. Celebrate the …

Future Made in Australia Community Benefit Principles consultation

… Community Benefit Principles consultation Date Fri, 01/30/2026 - 12:00 File 260202 SB - Future Made in Australia …

Submission

Policy & Advocacy

Basic page

Contribution to Australian Gross Domestic Product

… value that small business adds to Australia’s economy can be calculated by its contribution to Australian Gross … value that small business adds to Australia’s economy can be calculated by its contribution to Australian Gross …

Basic page

Disclaimer

Basic page

Resources for starting a franchise

… and federal regulations that apply to franchises. Take the time to research thoroughly and seek advice from industry …

Basic page

Produce Assessors

… requirements and has been inspecting fresh produce for 30 years. Damien joined Rudge in 2008 bringing with him a …

Basic page

MSME videos

…   The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. Maree Adshead - Small Business Commissioner … The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. Trent Twomey - National President Pharmacy … The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. David Eaton - Small Business Commissioner …

Basic page

Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry (2022)

… of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can include damaged and destroyed assets … outside of directly affected disaster areas can also be adversely impacted through the effects of smoke taint, … the cost of natural disasters and lengthy recovery time for small businesses and regional networks could be …

Basic page

Tax implications - transferring or terminating a franchise

Basic page

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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.

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