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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
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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.  

    • Cyber security
    • Financial Wellbeing
    • Mental health
    • Handling debts
    • 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
    • Disaster preparation and recovery
    • Self-employment
    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
    • Small Business Hub
    • Our network
    • ‘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
    • Transcripts
    • Op-eds
    • Newsletters
    • Quarterly reports
    • Events
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    • 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
      • Australian Capital Territory
    • Location of Australia’s small businesses - regional and metro areas
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Content type

  • Media Centre item (81)
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  • Submission (4)
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Media Section

  • Media Centre (79)
  • Disputes & Assistance (1)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (81)

Success story type

New rules to ensure small businesses in dispute with ATO get a fairer go

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small businesses in dispute with the ATO will get a fairer go, under new rules proposed by the Australian Government.

Mr Billson welcomed the pre-Budget…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small businesses in dispute with the ATO will get a fairer go, under new rules proposed by the Australian Government.

Mr Billson welcomed the pre-Budget…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes Franchising Code of Conduct Review

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has warmly welcomed the release of the review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper.

The Ombudsman performs a range of functions under the Franchise…

… an opportunity to make a reasonable return, it does not guarantee a fixed rate of return. The statement would also … an opportunity to make a reasonable return, it does not guarantee a fixed rate of return. The statement would also …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… tax and BAS agents and tax (financial) advisers. SME Assist  is designed to help small to medium enterprises … service to keep you up-to-date with the latest SME Assist information. … 739 …

Ombudsman spells out what the Budget got right and wrong for small business

First published on Kochie’s Business Builders, 10 May 2023.

The Budget handed down on Tuesday night will help small businesses deal with some of the contemporary challenges they face as they prepare for a forecast lower rate of economic growth…

First published on Kochie’s Business Builders, 10 May 2023.

The Budget handed down on Tuesday night will help small businesses deal with some of the contemporary challenges they face as they prepare for a forecast lower rate of economic growth…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

… the employment of an employee. New Enterprise Incentive Scheme can help you to start and develop your small business …

BIG BUSINESSES URGED TO “LIFT THEIR GAME” ON PAYMENT TIMES

Only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days while nearly one-quarter take more than 120 days to pay up, according to new payment times data.

“This is a woeful performance and is bitterly disappointing…

… have not materially improved since the commencement of the scheme”. Mr Billson said he welcomed Ms Jeffries’ call to … have not materially improved since the commencement of the scheme”. Mr Billson said he welcomed Ms Jeffries’ call to …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES BANKING INDUSTRY PLEDGE TO FIGHT SCAMS

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the significant commitment announced today by the banking industry to better support small businesses to combat scams.

Mr Billson said a $100 million…

… highlighting the urgent need for a ‘confirmation of payee’ scheme to be introduced in Australia, noting similar programs … highlighting the urgent need for a ‘confirmation of payee’ scheme to be introduced in Australia, noting similar programs …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Self-employment

… the employment of an employee. New Enterprise Incentive Scheme can help you to start and develop your small business …

Basic page

New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has welcomed the expansion of subsidised legal advice for eligible small and family businesses to support more effective engagement in dispute resolution processes.

The…

… and with important relationships intact.   ‘We can’t guarantee that every small business will succeed but it is … and with important relationships intact.   ‘We can’t guarantee that every small business will succeed but it is …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Too many small businesses are hurt by not being in the 'in-crowd'

Originally published in the Canberra Times on Monday, 27 May 2024.

Bruce Billson

Winning a government contract can be life-changing for a small business. As all businesses know, there is no substitute for good…

Originally published in the Canberra Times on Monday, 27 May 2024.

Bruce Billson

Winning a government contract can be life-changing for a small business. As all businesses know, there is no substitute for good…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed)

By Bruce Billson

Originally published in the Herald Sun.

At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much to ask that their big business customers play their parts by paying their invoices in a more…

… Craig Emerson to review the Payment Times Reporting Scheme introduced by the former government. Dr Emerson is … Craig Emerson to review the Payment Times Reporting Scheme introduced by the former government. Dr Emerson is …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Let's boost small and family businesses

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 14 Steps to energise enterprise to boost small and family businesses

Leon Delaney…

… its effort on pursuing outstanding Superannuation Guarantee contributions or tax debts more generally. We also … its effort on pursuing outstanding Superannuation Guarantee contributions or tax debts more generally. We also …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

This must be the last time Optus cuts off small business

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson

The new Optus leadership needs to demonstrate it truly understands the economic pain the recent outage has inflicted on some small and family businesses.

Our…

… as a member of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme, and the jury is still out on whether this new pledge … as a member of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme, and the jury is still out on whether this new pledge …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Insolvency figures, small business pulse, ASBFEO assistance

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nick Rheinberger.

ABC Radio…

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nick Rheinberger.

ABC Radio…

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

How small business can get help

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: How small business can get help, insolvency concerns, payment times, solving problems with digital…

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: How small business can get help, insolvency concerns, payment times, solving problems with digital…

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Kindly customers urged to spend big with small business

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging shoppers to spend big with small businesses this weekend, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales predicted to smash records.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging shoppers to spend big with small businesses this weekend, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales predicted to smash records.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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…

… with administering the revised paid parental leave scheme. “We welcome $8.6 million a year for key regulators to … with administering the revised paid parental leave scheme. “We welcome $8.6 million a year for key regulators to …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

14 steps to stop small business's alarming downward spiral

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

I fear we are sleepwalking into a "big corporate" economy.

Many small and family businesses are doing it tough right now and the post-COVID…

… Explore the potential benefits of a tax discount/offset scheme for new small business owners to allow them to keep … Explore the potential benefits of a tax discount/offset scheme for new small business owners to allow them to keep …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES PAYMENT TIMES REVIEW BY DR CRAIG EMERSON

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, wholeheartedly supports the call to overhaul the Payment Times Reporting Act and welcomes recommendations to make the data more useful for small business.

“Finance…

… to bring into operation a “name, proclaim and shame” scheme that drives better payment performance in support of a … to bring into operation a “name, proclaim and shame” scheme that drives better payment performance in support of a …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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…

… you know, is everything to a small business, but in the scheme of a major corporate matter, probably not much in … you know, is everything to a small business, but in the scheme of a major corporate matter, probably not much in …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Payment Times

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson extract of interview with Gary Adshead.

6PR

Subject: Payment Times

Gary Adshead…

… funding by getting a mortgage over their home or personal guarantee. Gary Adshead With rising interest rates and so on. … funding by getting a mortgage over their home or personal guarantee. Gary Adshead With rising interest rates and so on. …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Mysterious surcharges on our payments are unfair on everyone

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

No one is happy when you buy a coffee, a meal or even an item of furniture and as you tap your card a few extra cents or dollars are drained from your account.

Typically, a…

… cost more because the card is part of a rewards scheme. When people use their phone to pay, the rules are … cost more because the card is part of a rewards scheme. When people use their phone to pay, the rules are …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

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…

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…

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…

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…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)…

… routing system, how does that work? Does that just guarantee that the smallest possible fee is the one that gets … routing system, how does that work? Does that just guarantee that the smallest possible fee is the one that gets …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Mental and Financial Wellbeing for Small Business Owners

TRANSCRIPT

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

2BS Bathurst

12 January 2023

…

TRANSCRIPT

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

2BS Bathurst

12 January 2023

…

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS USING DIGITAL MARKETING

Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with their provider, according to new research.

And almost 70% of small businesses last fewer than 12 months with the digital marketing…

Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with their provider, according to new research.

And almost 70% of small businesses last fewer than 12 months with the digital marketing…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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…

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…

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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