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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

    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.  

    • Our network
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    • 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
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    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
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    • 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.   

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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

The November 2025 Small Business Pulse is now available

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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)

Improving the transparency and timeliness of payments to small and family businesses

… Wed, 03/01/2023 - 12:00 File SB - Statutory Review of the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020.pdf pdf 359.84 KB …

Submission

… Family and Domestic Violence Leave All full-time, part-time, and casual employees can access 10 days of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. The full 10 day leave entitlement is available immediately - it does not need to be accumulated like annual leave. It also doesn’t increase …

… 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 …

… How to show your support This MSME Day say thank you by:  downloading our MSME Day 2023 logo package for using on your own channels. Be sure to tag ASBFEO in your social posts and use our MSME … This MSME Day say thank you by:  downloading our MSME Day 2023 logo …

… to the Code enacted in June 2021 allow for a process to be followed should a franchisee wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their franchisor a written … for the proposed termination. Note that the proposal may be different from the terms set out in the franchise …

… to the Code enacted in June 2021 allow for a process to be followed should a franchisee wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their franchisor a written … for the proposed termination. Note that the proposal may be different from the terms set out in the franchise …

… 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 …

SPEECH TO COSBOA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT

SPEECH

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Speech to COSBOA National Small Business Summit

I particularly want to acknowledge Matthew (Addison), Luke (…

… for whom, self-declared, their business is their full-time endeavour, take home less than average total weekly … for those people. They’re working their tails off every day.  The average age of a business owner is 50, not 45 where … our small business owning fraternity are under the age of 30, half what it was in the 1970s.  70% of small businesses …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes Government’s support for least cost routing

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson welcomes the Government’s commitment to lowering costs for businesses through least cost routing.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has released the Payments System Review…

… least cost routing. “The Treasurer’s urging of the RBA’s Payment Systems Board to consider mandating the dual-network … is a game changer. “It is a clear statement that the time for strongly worded letters to financial institutions to … “The Government has committed to consider changes that may be necessary to promote least cost routing, particularly in …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Treasurer's roundtable 'reform directions' should focus on small business

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

It's been just over a week since the government's Economic Reform Roundtable was held.

Was the three-day event productive? I'd say yes. There was lots of discussion and views…

… Economic Reform Roundtable was held. Was the three-day event productive? I'd say yes. There was lots of … of independent contractors and self-employed working full-time to derive their livelihoods earned below the average … for American customers can only enter with the verified payment of ever-changing tariffs; and small businesses were …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Franchising Code of Conduct and Alternative Dispute Resolution

… to the Code enacted in June 2021 allow for a process to be followed should a franchisee wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their franchisor a written … of their costs. In general, the practitioner has a half day rate and a full day rate. The length of time the ADR …

Basic page

… Line caters for the needs of small business owners who may be visually impaired through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). TIS can be contacted on 13 14 50. The Information Line also provides … Line caters for the needs of small business owners who may be visually impaired through the Translating and Interpreting …

Ombudsman welcomes cancellation and suspension of Australian credit licences

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed ASIC’s announcement that they have cancelled or suspended Australian credit licences for failing to be a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (…

… or suspended Australian credit licences for failing to be a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority … matters themselves. In the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021, 24 licences were cancelled. “AFCA provides … dispute resolution to small businesses, saving them time and money by significantly reducing the need for …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses

… were twice as many small business owners aged between 30 and 49 as there were aged over 50.  Today, only 8% of … paperwork after they’ve been running their business all day, surrendering more time with family and time to reset and … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

Report

… to the Code enacted in June 2021 allow for a process to be followed should a franchisee wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their franchisor a written … of their costs. In general, the practitioner has a half day rate and a full day rate. The length of time the ADR …

Location of Australia’s small businesses by state and territory

… on each state and territory. Key findings for the year to 30 June 2023 The number of small businesses increased in all … and territories except Victoria. Victoria’s decrease can be attributed to a decrease in the number of small businesses … There were 482,836 small businesses in Queensland on 30 June 2023, representing 19% of all Australian small …

Basic page

… 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 …

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

… 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 … as tax deductions 6 . Regulators’ terminology can also be confusing for entrepreneurs. For example, confusion on …

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

ASBFEO Small Business Pulse

… quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same time last year. There is strong momentum amongst small … which traditional sources of information and point-in-time surveys often miss. “Our approach is different to other … as tax deductions 6 . Regulators’ terminology can also be confusing for entrepreneurs. For example, confusion on …

Basic page

… 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 …

Making the ecosystem more supportive for small business

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Lisa Millar.

ABC News Breakfast

Subject: 14 Steps to energise enterprise, tap-and-go merchant fees, digital platform disputes, small business…

… a group of Australians that need their personal best every day and, in some cases, needing to be world class every day. … bit of breathing space as they tackle a really challenging time.  Lisa Millar So, what are you saying, the credit card … got about 8 per cent, Lisa, that are under the age of 30. It was 17 per cent in the ‘70s.  So, we really think you …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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 …

Supporting small businesses should come with a sense of urgency

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

With election talk building and political announcements starting to roll out, there has not been a more important time for small businesses to be seen, heard and supported.

…

… starting to roll out, there has not been a more important time for small businesses to be seen, heard and supported. The Australian Small Business … wait for years and years for supportive action at this time of significant economic and cost of doing business …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

The obstacles entrepreneurs face

By Bruce Billson.

Published in the Western Advocate.

More needs to be done to support and recognise small businesses. 

A RECENT Westpac study found almost half of the people starting their own business are motivated by the dream…

… The obstacles entrepreneurs face 30 September 2024 By Bruce Billson. Published in the Western … big business to small business and ratings for big firms' payment performance. The recent US presidential debate … did not make a profit and three-quarters of full-time self-employed people earned less than the average total …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Comments on Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023

Submission

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No.1) Bill 2021

Submission

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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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