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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.  

    • 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
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    • Op-eds
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    • Quarterly reports
    • Events
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    • 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

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Media Section

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

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (202)

… small businesses were in the rest of Tasmanian areas on 30 June 2023. This aligns with the population distribution, … small businesses were in the rest of Tasmanian areas on 30 June 2023. This aligns with the population distribution, …

… Table 2: Total employment numbers ('000s) by industry, 30 June 2023 … Table 2: Total employment numbers ('000s) by industry, 30 June 2023 …

… outcomes. Read your contract/agreement before signing and be aware of interest rates and penalties for non-payment. If you are unsure of anything, ask for more … and be aware of interest rates and penalties for non-payment. If you are unsure of anything, ask for more …

… were 148,019 small businesses in the rest of Victoria on 30 June 2023, accounting for 21% of all Victorian small … were 148,019 small businesses in the rest of Victoria on 30 June 2023, accounting for 21% of all Victorian small …

… 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. … tool to identify the best way to get help.  ASBFEO may be able to help with your dispute. If your dispute is not …

… There were 1,886 small businesses in Other Territories on 30 June 2023. Of these, 90% were non-employing businesses. … There were 1,886 small businesses in Other Territories on 30 June 2023. Of these, 90% were non-employing businesses. …

… implementation of these changes is being staggered over time.  Visit the Fair Work Commission to find out more about … implementation of these changes is being staggered over time.  Visit the Fair Work Commission to find out more about …

… in the ACT increased by 1,086 (3%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The areas with the largest increase were: … in the ACT increased by 1,086 (3%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The areas with the largest increase were: …

MORE NEEDED FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN OPTUS RESPONSE

Telecommunications is an essential service and vital for so many small businesses and the absence of this service has a significant economic cost, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“The response by…

… by Optus that the loss for a small business is $2 a day. This is what Optus charges for their services, not what … businesses in lost income and customers. “More needs to be done to acknowledge this impact on the livelihoods of our … by a big business. They deserve respect and not to be treated in such a shabby way by Optus.” MEDIA CONTACT: …

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 … structures and information sources to indicate the real-time success of your business, so you can adjust and make …

… to the other party Now you understand your dispute it is time to talk to the other party. If the issue is minor, you … call them, but if more complex, a face-to-face meeting can be more successful. Prepare Prepare for your discussion by … started, the key issues and other perspectives. Stay calm, be professional and be prepared to negotiate and compromise. …

… There were 190,679 small businesses in Greater Perth on 30 June 2023, representing 80% of Western Australia’s small … small businesses in the rest of Western Australia on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 20% of Western Australia’s …

… 2021. This was a 19% increase compared to the same time in 2020 and slightly lower than at the end of September … 2021. This was a 19% increase compared to the same time in 2020 and slightly lower than at the end of September …

… Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman may be able to help you. … Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman may be able to help you. …

ASBFEO WEBSITE NOW AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 100 LANGUAGES

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s website – www.asbfeo.gov.au - is now available in more than 100 languages to better assist migrant-led small and family business owners and managers.

“One in three small businesses…

… “I hope this new feature on our website, which can be activated by one simple click, will make it easier for … In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.” The translation feature is clearly located … In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.” The translation feature is clearly located …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… 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 …

GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING MAY IMPACT SMEs SOONER THAN EXPECTED

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate themselves on greenhouse gas (GHG)…

… supply chain for large businesses or government, they may be asked to provide this information, especially if they are … a guide to help SMEs understand what information they may be asked by larger businesses they supply to, regarding their … within their business. “I encourage SMEs to take the time to read the guide and become familiar with …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… A franchise relationship should be symbiotic – one of mutual dependency and benefit. The …   A franchisor and its franchisees need each other to both be financially successful. Good franchisors spend the early … acumen to drive ‘unit’ success and profitability. If time working in the business is essential, make that clear …

… spent over $15,000 on website services which was due to be finalised in 6 months. After 10 months, they didn’t have a … things worked out - this has been going on for a long time. Thank you for being so helpful and for enabling me to … things worked out - this has been going on for a long time. Thank you for being so helpful and for enabling me to …

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

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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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