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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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    There are so many useful resources, tools and sources of information which assist and support small businesses and family enterprises to run their business.

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    Our Small Business Data Portal brings together the latest statistics about small businesses and family enterprises and their contribution to the Australian economy.

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    • 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)
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Media Section

  • Media Centre (193)
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Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (202)

… Societ y offer a free referral service, which includes a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer. Justice Connect helps … Societ y offer a free referral service, which includes a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer. Justice Connect helps …

… the invoice, confirm it has been received. Ten days before payment is due, check your invoice has been processed and is due to be paid. If payment is 1-2 days overdue, contact the accounts area and …

… to relax to clear the mind and  unwind. lock in family time learn to ‘unplug’ from the business. This means … setting times to turn off the technology, and plan to take time off . … to relax to clear the mind and  unwind. lock in family time learn to ‘unplug’ from the business. This means …

… The MSME Day 2022 video is being produced and will be ready for viewing by 27 June 2022. In the meantime, feel … If your organisation would like to appear in our MSME Day 2022 video please see our MSME Day Video Requirements … The MSME Day 2022 video is being produced and will be ready for …

… you owe and are able to pay. You can then offer to enter a payment plan for the remainder. Make sure that any payment you offer is within your means. This proactive … but it demonstrates you are willing to pay and it can be a good starting point for negotiation. Avoid debt …

… owner, navigating disputes with other businesses can be overwhelming and stressful. Alternative dispute resolution … owner, navigating disputes with other businesses can be overwhelming and stressful. Alternative dispute resolution …

… and the circumstances in which the franchise agreement may be varied unilaterally in the future.  If certain materially … must disclose these to franchisees within a reasonable time of not more than 14 days. Such events include … consents in writing.   Best practice  Franchisors need to be able to make changes to their franchise system and brand …

… 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 …

… in the Northern Territory increased 2% over the year to 30 June 2023. They increased 2% (265) in Greater Darwin. The … (increased by 38 small businesses) Wulagi (increased by 30 small businesses). Wulagi and Darwin Airport had the … Northern Territory decreased by 4 (0.1%) over the year to 30 June 2023. The largest fall occurred in Charles, where the …

Consumer Data Right (CDR) – Exposure draft legislation to enable action initiation

Submission

September newsletter - Sweeping changes required to make big business pay up

The review of the Payment Times Reporting Act by Dr Craig Emerson found there has been no significant improvement by big business to pay their small business customers in a timely way, sadly echoing the woeful performance that we have been calling…

… required to make big business pay up The review of the Payment Times Reporting Act by Dr Craig Emerson found there … The review of the Payment Times Reporting Act by Dr Craig Emerson found there …

Newsletters

… to use the intellectual property of someone else for a time, but the business opportunities, risks and … including the drive, local market activation success and day-to-day business acumen and involvement of the franchisee. … helpful tips, so you know the sorts of things you need to be researching. accessing the  Business.gov.au ‘Buy a …

… There were 594,855 small businesses in Greater Sydney on 30 June 2023, representing 70% of all small businesses in … areas with the highest number of small businesses on 30 June 2023 were: Sydney Inner City (74,583 small … in Condell Park. Baulkham Hills (19,329 small businesses), 30% of these were in Baulkham Hills (West) – Bella Vista. …

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

Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022

Submission

DISER IRD legislation 1286

Submission

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GETTING OLDER

Australia’s small business owners are rapidly getting older as the proportion of younger entrepreneurs shrinks, according to research from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Bruce Billson said the most…

… actually twice as many small business owners aged between 30 and 49 as there were aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The … with only 8 per cent of small business owners aged under 30. It is half the peak for this age group of 17 per cent … understand why it is not as appealing as it perhaps should be for younger Australians to own a small business?” More …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Banks offer certainty to small businesses impacted by lockdowns

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the banks’ ongoing efforts to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Australian Banking Association says banks will defer loan…

… valued and is the kind of a key support element that could be incorporated into an agreed predictable and known national … in good standing with repayments up-to-date or there’s a payment program in place. “It’s encouraging to see our banks … in good standing with repayments up-to-date or there’s a payment program in place. “It’s encouraging to see our banks …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Five steps to resolve your dispute

… Five steps to resolve your dispute Problems arise every day between businesses, their customers, suppliers, and … can realistically achieve. Consider impacts on cash flow, time and resources, productivity, future business, and … call them, but if more complex, a face-to-face meeting can be more successful. Prepare Prepare for your discussion by …

Basic page

… and costs at the start, they are unlikely to improve over time. Tip 4 - Careful consideration of your contract Make … (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs  regular and …

… factsheet . 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 …

Big business may take this for granted, but it's still out of reach for many small business owners

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Justice. The word itself carries weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair, and if wronged, justice will serve, and things will be right.

But for many…

… weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair, and if wronged, justice will serve, and things will be right. But for many small businesses, access to justice … wronged. On top of the mental anguish and distress and time taken away from running the business, the cost and …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Rising cost of small business insurance

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Eddie Williams.

ABC Radio South-East NSW

Subject: rising cost of small business insurance

Eddie Williams

Insurance…

… business at the moment?  Bruce Billson  Eddie, good to be with you and your listeners. It's having an enormous … events is really being challenged at the present time. But I suppose the other point too, which is a little … action stations everywhere and that sometimes is not the time to be really planning for those sorts of events. You're …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… program can help you to adopt digital tools to save you time and money, while also help you to grow your business. … itself through a period where your business may not be returning a  profit. When your business is up and running, you should take the time to develop a succession plan for the future. Having one …

… Will it impact the value of your business and how it might be able to operate, if at all? Will it trigger an obligation … to take over the premises lease, agree to make a lump sum payment in place of future royalties, explain how you plan to … or propose a termination date that gives the franchisor time to find another operator for the business.   If …

TRANSCRIPT: Creating a Small Business and Codes List for the Federal Circuit Court

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Creating a Small Business and Codes List…

… Leon, sometimes those dark clouds for a small business can be another business treating them appallingly and in some … know, duelling with the other expert and burns up costs, time and resources and doesn't get you anywhere near an early … case.  Leon Delaney Bruce, thanks very much for your time today.      …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… it. Belmont Business Enterprise Centre provides a free 30-minute legal advisory session on business matters. Justice … it. Belmont Business Enterprise Centre provides a free 30-minute legal advisory session on business matters. Justice …

Budget Brief 2024-25

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s federal Budget offers targeted measures to help small and family business deal with current pain points and headwinds.

“Small and family businesses facing…

… community. “Matching last year’s Budget, the money will be deducted from the power bills of one million eligible … It is vitally important that small business owners take time to focus on their own mental and financial wellbeing and … improve the uptake of eInvoicing, the effectiveness of the payment times reporting framework and implementation of …

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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