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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
    • Financial Wellbeing
    • Mental health
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    • Using social media securely
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    • How Digital Marketing Providers can impress small business clients
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    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
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    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.

    • ASBFEO Small Business Pulse
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    • Number of small businesses in Australia
    • Apprentices and Trainees Employed by Small Business
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      • Australian Capital Territory
    • Location of Australia’s small businesses - regional and metro areas

Small Business Pulse - February 2025

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Content type

  • Media Centre item (268)
  • Basic page (61)
  • Submission (56)
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Media Section

  • Media Centre (257)
  • Disputes & Assistance (2)
  • Policy & Advocacy (2)
  • Resources & Tools Centre (1)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (268)

Success story type

… 33% Arts and recreation services 5,720 4,319 9,198 19,237 30% Wholesale trade 28,538 37,240 37,198 102,976 28% Public … 33% Arts and recreation services 5,720 4,319 9,198 19,237 30% Wholesale trade 28,538 37,240 37,198 102,976 28% Public …

Family-owned chocolate business makes this Easter egg-cellent

It takes quite the chocolatier to create all the magic of Easter – without the bunny.

But that’s what Stuart and his team at Enigma Fine Chocolates have achieved, as customers – eager to indulge in handmade artisan truffles – stream through the…

… business is busy this Easter – the first in two years to be uninhibited by pandemic related restrictions in trading … business is busy this Easter – the first in two years to be uninhibited by pandemic related restrictions in trading …

Media Centre item
Case study
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: October 2022 Budget

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Jac Underwood.

Radio 2BS

26 October 2022

…

… Bruce, good afternoon. Bruce Billson Jac, great to be with you and 2BS listeners. Jac Underwood It's great to … to talk to you as always. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us your analysis. Bruce Billson Jac, fab to be … to talk to you as always. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us your analysis. Bruce Billson Jac, fab to be …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Uncaring banks drop a deposit on regional clients

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

Banking is an essential service with a privileged position in the economy, and our small, family and farming businesses depend on having a close and reliable…

… ATMs in just the past two years, according to APRA. Some 30 per cent of small businesses are based in regional Australia and when the bank leaves it can be devastating.  Access to cash and deposit services are … I met a rural accountant who has a client that had a payment for $60,000 intercepted by the invoice substitution …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
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…

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…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… 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. …

Ombudsman welcomes ‘norms’ of acceptable commercial conduct test for unconscionable conduct

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the landmark decision of the Full Federal Court to make ‘a sufficient departure from the norms of acceptable commercial behaviour’ a test of whether conduct is ‘…

… under the Australian law. “This is a great day for Australian small businesses seeking protection from … “The decision ensures egregious commercial conduct can be captured by the unconscionable conduct provisions under … under the Australian law. “This is a great day for Australian small businesses seeking protection from …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman to host feedback sessions in natural disaster-hit areas

MEDIA STATEMENT

 

Ombudsman to host feedback sessions in natural disaster-hit areas

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson is set to visit…

… the impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. It can mean damaged and destroyed assets, … good preparedness. “The cost of natural disasters and the time it takes for small businesses to get back on their feet … good preparedness. “The cost of natural disasters and the time it takes for small businesses to get back on their feet …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Meet the Ombudsman, Bruce Billson

In this video Ombudsman Bruce Billson discusses the role of our office.

Are you a small or family business owner in Australia, experiencing a dispute with another business or government agency? We're here to help. See our …

… provided a fantastic foundation. A foundation to help us be the best allies small businesses could hope for. Working … for where businesses have a matter that needs to be resolved done through dispute resolution, so that those … family enterprises are facing. In the action that would be helpful in supporting your success. We're also there to …

Media Centre item
ASBFEO Live

How we help

… on 1300 650 460. Please note: The ASBFEO may not always be the most appropriate agency to resolve your dispute. We …

Basic page

… ADR practitioner for the dispute. This appointment is to be made within 14 days of the ASBFEO receiving the request to … of their costs. In general, the practitioner has a half day rate and a full day rate. The length of time the ADR process will take depends on the complexity of …

TRANSCRIPT: Budget 2024-25

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Stephen Cenatiempo.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: Budget 2024-25

…

… a little bit in there. I don’t think small businesses will be punching the air with excitement, thinking that it's a … Bruce, always good to talk to you. Thanks for your time this morning.  Bruce Billson Thanks Steve. Best wishes … Bruce, always good to talk to you. Thanks for your time this morning.  Bruce Billson Thanks Steve. Best wishes …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

3G switch-off looming for small business

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in the next few weeks.

Mr Billson today…

… farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before … farm gates and many other wireless operating systems may be affected. Mr Billson emphasised that telecommunications … farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… a streamlined and improved user experience, reducing the time to register as a new business, or apply for additional … not been able to resolve the issue with them, the IGTO may be able to help. IP Australia  helps businesses to learn …

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

ONLY ONE-IN-FOUR SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE A DISASTER PLAN

Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses yet only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“In…

… HAVE A DISASTER PLAN 12 January 2023 Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses yet only one … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story. An opt-in “My … denied support while others that gave far less attention, time, and effort to protect their own economic interests were …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Disaster preparation and recovery

… family businesses, and their communities. The cost and the time it takes for small and family businesses to get back to … and of course, yourself. Other business owners can be a valuable source of advice and awareness based on their … your business to a less disaster-prone location. Build in time and tactics to make sure you are ok and you’re caring …

Basic page

… 2021. This was a 19% increase compared to the same time in 2020 and slightly lower than at the end of September … 0-19 (Small) 116,547 35,178 151,728 20-199 (Medium) 66,104 30,708 96,812 200+ (Large) 58,959 29,840 88,800 Unknown 7,800 … >, extracted on 30/07/22. Over three quarters of apprentices and trainees …

Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Laura Tchilinguirian.

ABC News Radio

Subject: Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely

Laura…

… about cyber hacks of late and often the targets seem to be small businesses who are also active online. So how can … accounts that then see the hacker having a terrible time for people that you've been doing business with.  So, … accounts that then see the hacker having a terrible time for people that you've been doing business with.  So, …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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 … Office. Mr Billson said Scam Awareness Week was an ideal time for small business owners to take a few extra moments to … he said. “Scammers may sign you up for a single or monthly payment which they take from your credit card but they …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… structures and information sources to indicate the real-time success of your business, so you can adjust and make … thought. Find a trusted adviser, like an accountant, to be a valuable sounding board, coach, and ally to you. It’s … program can help you to adopt digital tools to save you time and money, while also help you to grow your business. …

Building resilience is the key for small businesses

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

When a bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to fight fires, lay sandbags, assist with…

… a current business continuity plan.  Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses — either their … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story. In the aftermath … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story. In the aftermath …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

The terrible floods and storms causing great trauma for parts of the country should be a red alert for small business to be prepared for natural disasters, warns the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr…

… SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS 22 January 2024 The terrible … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story.” Mr Billson said … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story.” Mr Billson said …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Bruce Billson interview with Jo McManus

Jo McManus

Australia’s had its fair share of natural disasters in the past 12 months. The most recent, of course, being in our Kimberley region with those devastating floods up there. Last year the Australian Small Business and…

… me now. Good afternoon, Bruce. Bruce Billson Jo, great to be with you and your listeners. Jo McManus Bruce, were you … who run and own a small and family business are very time poor. There's always too many things to do. And working … That makes perfect sense. Look, I really appreciate your time on the program this afternoon. Thanks very much for …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… agreement The whole dispute or elements of the dispute may be settled with binding arbitration if there is written agreement from the parties. The agreement may be in the franchise agreement or agreed later. The … and the time and place for arbitration. The arbitrator will also give …

Other Territories

… Island. Table 1: Small businesses in Other Territories, 30 June 2023 Download data * Includes businesses where … There were 1,886 small businesses in Other Territories on 30 June 2023. Of these, 90% were non-employing businesses. … Other Territories decreased by 150 (7%) over the year to 30 June 2023, after a 16% increase in the previous year. … …

Basic page

Ensuring that cyber security law reforms address the needs of small businesses

Submission

… AgQuip Field Days 22 - 24 August Gunnedah, NSW Gov to You 30 - 31 August Fleurieu Peninsula, SA The Tax Summit 5- 7 …

… review of the ASBFEO’s functions was required to be completed one year after its establishment, by 30 June 2017. This review was led by Ms Su McCluskey with the … to be completed one year after its establishment, by 30 June 2017. This review was led by Ms Su McCluskey with the …

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