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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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      • Managing change
        • Best practice for franchisors
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      • Exiting a franchise
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Compliance
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisees
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisors
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  • 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
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  • 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
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    • 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.   

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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
    • 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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Content type

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

Media Section

  • Media Centre (27)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (28)

… 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 … telephone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Information Line is open from Monday …

ASBFEO Small Business Pulse

… quarterly increase, and is 1.2% higher than the same time last year.  Small business owners are actively exploring … which traditional sources of information and point-in-time surveys often miss. “Our approach is different to other … – because the consequences of getting it wrong can be severe.  “Despite these pressures, many small businesses …

Basic page

… which traditional sources of information and point-in-time surveys often miss. “Our approach is different to other … experiences of the business life-cycle, and in near real time. “The ASBFEO Pulse probes factors which range from … – because the consequences of getting it wrong can be severe.  “Despite these pressures, many small businesses …

New South Wales

… were 849,075 small businesses in New South Wales (NSW) on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 34% of all Australian small … Accessed 15 January 2024  Table 1: Small business in NSW, 30 June 2023 Download data Source:  Based on  Australian … There were 594,855 small businesses in Greater Sydney on 30 June 2023, representing 70% of all small businesses in …

Basic page

Small business conditions show modest improvement for first time since 2022

May 2025 Small Business Pulse

Key highlights:

Over the past quarter conditions for small businesses improved 0.1% - the first quarterly rise since August 2022. Over the past 12 months deteriorated by 0.9%, but now…

… Small business conditions show modest improvement for first time since 2022 27 May 2025 May 2025 Small Business Pulse Key … for ASBFEO’s help reflect these cash flow concerns. Payment disputes continue to be the most common dispute our office assists with. Payment …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… economic debate. ASBFEO Ombudsman Bruce Billson says it’s time for the nation to “see” sole traders more clearly. “Sole … in the transport, postal and warehousing sector were payment related — a stark reminder of their vulnerability in … the true scale and diversity of sole traders. Fairer payment practices to protect those most exposed to late or …

… should get in contact with the ATO. You can also set up a payment plan if your debt is under $100,000. Phone: 12 28 66 … to help people with their tax affairs who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation. … individuals can access a one-off non-taxable crisis payment . Small Business Debt Helpline The Small Business …

Enterprising Australians deserve better: Spotlight on sole traders

Australia’s sole traders — the spirited, self-starting enterprising women and men who power our communities — are far more numerous and diverse than most policy settings recognise. New analysis by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise…

… economic debate. ASBFEO Ombudsman Bruce Billson says it’s time for the nation to “see” sole traders more clearly. “Sole … in the transport, postal and warehousing sector were payment related — a stark reminder of their vulnerability in … the true scale and diversity of sole traders. Fairer payment practices to protect those most exposed to late or …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… complaints. Internal dispute resolution processes may be managed by the processor’s complaint handling officer. … manage independently. The mediator will decide the date, time, and place that the mediation will take place and the … you of their costs. In general, the mediator has a half-day rate and a full-day rate, with the length of time for the …

Northern Territory

… were 15,431 small businesses in the Northern Territory on 30 June 2023, representing 1% of Australian small businesses. … 2024 Table 1: Small businesses in Northern Territory, 30 June 2023 Download data Source: Based on Australian Bureau … the Territory’s small businesses were in Greater Darwin on 30 June 2023. The areas with the highest number of small …

Basic page

Access to low cost advice for disputes

… with another business or government agency.  This may be offered at 2 stages:  Stage 1 (Preliminary advice) to help … so not all matters will be eligible for support.  A co-payment of $100 is required from the eligible small business … in an ADR process to resolve their dispute; the length of time parties have been in dispute and any attempts that they …

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…

… small and family business ahead of International Women’s Day.    “More than half a million Australian women say their … half reported strong opportunities for growth. At the same time, only five per cent said they faced no barriers to … their business,” said Mr Billson.   Access to finance can be a challenge for many small business owners, but women …

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…

… operations.  “ASBFEO was established to change that – to be an advocate and ally, and a practical problem solver. … assistance function provides direct assistance with payment, contract, franchise, digital platform and other … is, small business owners are not well resourced, often time-poor and wear multiple hats just to keep the business …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… 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 …

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…

… quarterly increase, and is 1.2% higher than the same time last year.  Small business owners are actively exploring … quarterly increase. It increased 1.2% compared to the same time last year.  The Australian Small Business and Family … – because the consequences of getting it wrong can be severe.  “Despite these pressures, many small businesses …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

… of self-employed small business owners working full-time earn less than the average full-time adult wage. 55% of small business owners working full-time with 1 – 19 employees earn less than the average … of self-employed small business owners working full-time earn less than the average full-time adult wage. 55% of …

PCG 2025/D5, Payday Super - first year ATO compliance approach

Submission

… turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so that … app, text message or email to help with account recovery. Be aware of and follow the platform’s community guidelines. … be suspended from the platform. Create a separate payment method that is only used for your social media …

… which traditional sources of information and point-in-time surveys often miss. The Pulse was constructed in line … as they become available while maintaining a reliable time series. The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse is a composite … which traditional sources of information and point-in-time surveys often miss. The Pulse was constructed in line …

Inquiry into Schemes, Digital Wallets and Innovation in the Payments Sector

Submission

… 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 content that we …

… (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs  regular and … (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs  regular and …

… program.  As part of the pilot, these guidelines will be periodically updated. 2. About the small business dispute … in an ADR process to resolve their dispute; the length of time parties have been in dispute and any attempts that they … or as or as otherwise agreed with the small business.   6. Payment Stage 1 Preliminary Advice:   A co-payment of $100 is …

… million small businesses in greater capital city areas on 30 June 2023. Greater Sydney had the highest concentration of … Greater Melbourne (where they fell 1.8%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The main contributors to Melbourne’s decrease … (3.3%) and Greater Hobart (3.0%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The main contributors to these increases were …

… 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 … 52,383 54,808 38,491 6,046 151,728 20-199 (Medium) 24,847 30,811 32,431 8,712 96,812 200+ (Large) 19,920 25,941 32,695 …

… on numbers and locations. Key findings for the year to 30 June 2023 Of the 2.5 million small businesses in … and external Other Territories. Victoria’s decrease can be attributed to a decrease in the number of small businesses … (3.3%) and Greater Hobart (3.0%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The main contributors to these increases were …

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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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