Skip to main content
Home

Spotlight Menu

  • About us
  • Latest news
  • Subscribe
x

Subscribe to Our Newsletter




 

 

 

InfoLine: 1300 650 460

  • About us
    • Contact Us
  • 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
    • The Tax Concierge Service
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Access to low cost advice for disputes
    • Dispute case studies
    • Franchising
      • Franchising Mediation Feedback Form
    • 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.  

    • 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
    • Social media
  • 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

Small Business Pulse - February 2025

x

  • Print page
  • Email page
  1. Home

Content type

  • Media Centre item (285)
  • Basic page (55)
  • Submission (45)
  • Newsletters (11)
  • Report (5)

Media Section

  • Media Centre (271)
  • Disputes & Assistance (3)
  • Policy & Advocacy (2)
  • Resources & Tools Centre (1)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (285)

Success story type

Payment surcharges and least-cost routing to reduce fees

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Subject: payment surcharges and least…

… Payment surcharges and least-cost routing to reduce fees 28 … to negotiate a better deal is almost zero. My own agency's report suggests there's between $800 million and $1 billion a … the size of the business. They generally pay about three times the amount for exactly the same transaction than a big …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: COSBOA Summit, energising enterprise

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Deb Knight.

Money News

Subjects: COSBOA Summit, energising enterprise

…

… but these would have to be some of the most challenging times wouldn’t they for small businesses in this country? … renewable resource in our country. But they do also report challenging times, input costs pressures. The … did indicate when he did speak at the summit that energy bill relief for households and businesses will be one of the …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Concern about small businesses being paid

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Emma Hannigan.

ABC Radio Gold Coast

Subject: Concern about small businesses being paid

Announcer

It's a challenging…

… and that, on top of some big businesses with appalling payment performance for small business suppliers, is a real … things that can be done right now. One is to take timely payment more seriously. I'm pleased that the Government has invested in its payment time reporting framework, but we're yet to see any …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business disaster preparedness

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Small business disaster preparedness.…

… how you can get something that looks like a senate inquiry report for guidance. Now a time-poor small business isn't … Billson  They are, and that's something that we see at times, the most challenging of moments for business owners … Billson  They are, and that's something that we see at times, the most challenging of moments for business owners …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Budget support for Australian small and family businesses

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the Australian Government’s 2022/23 Budget offers welcomed targeted support to Australian small and family businesses.

The Budget includes several new, extended…

… NBN fixed wireless services $10.4 million to redesign the Payment Times Reporting Portal and Register to improve efficiency and … Mr Billson says. “Hardware such as laptops and portable payment devices would also be eligible. “ Deeper digital …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Insolvency and small business; help for small businesses needing support

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Stephen Cenatiempo.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subjects: Insolvency and small business;…

… programs that help people navigate those challenging times, like New Access for Small Business Owners.  And in … have been paid by their customer, which then slows up the payment to their small business supplier like we were … have been paid by their customer, which then slows up the payment to their small business supplier like we were …

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…

… How small business can get help, insolvency concerns, payment times, solving problems with digital platform providers Leon Delaney The latest report from the Australian Small Business and Family …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged struggling small and family businesses to be proactive at tax time, as a new report reveals declining payment plans despite record collectible debt owed to the…

… family businesses to be proactive at tax time, as a new report reveals declining payment plans despite record collectible debt owed to the … Mr Billson says the reported decline in small business payment plan arrangements over the past three years is a …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

ASBFEO hits 50,000 Milestone of helping Small Businesses

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Canberra

Subject: ASBFEO hits 50,000 Milestone of helping Small…

… we're ready to provide that support in these challenging times  Leon Delaney  You've suggested that not enough small … we're ready to provide that support in these challenging times  Leon Delaney  You've suggested that not enough small …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business natural disasters preparedness and resilience

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Phil Staley. 

ABC North Queensland 

Subject: Small business natural disasters preparedness and…

… what sort of plan do you have in place to navigate those times?  Phil Staley  Last year the Small Business Natural … what sort of plan do you have in place to navigate those times?  Phil Staley  Last year the Small Business Natural …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Procurement Inquiry

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

Radio 2BS Bathurst

Subject: Procurement Inquiry

Jac…

… to do under our legislation. We are looking to have a report to the Finance Minister by early to mid-December. So, … to do under our legislation. We are looking to have a report to the Finance Minister by early to mid-December. So, …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: The work of ASBFEO, challenges facing small businesses and cyber security

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Sean Aylmer.

Fear and Greed Podcast

20 October 2022…

… only to the economy generally, but the uplift. You look at times like the GFC. Small businesses was about, just between … that over to an unsuspecting customer who's expecting the bill. They'll probably know what the number is that they need … your digital infrastructure, or in some cases, demanding a payment for you to access your own information. So, it’s a …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Role of ASBFEO, dispute resolutions, Tax Concierge Service

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Vivienne Ryan.

Small Business Connections TV

 

Subject: Role of ASBFEO, dispute…

… doors? Bruce Billson The biggest one by quite a margin is payment disputes. So about 40% of the traffic we handle relates to payment disputes - someone not being paid in a timely way, a … that other things can get involved, like a dispute over a payment dispute or something to do with a contract might blow …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Payment Times

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson extract of interview with Rita Panahi.

Sky News

Subject: Payment Times

Rita Panahi…

… TRANSCRIPT: Payment Times 16 February 2023 Australian Small Business and Family … businesses that have got turnovers over $100 million that report every quarter on not just the terms that they're …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… the price or basis for calculating charges, payment terms, timeframes, delivery terms, etc. Agree dispute … The newsagency sector Other / Not covered Security of payment laws in the ACT In the ACT, there are security of payment laws which ensures that a person undertaking …

Dispute support

… the price or basis for calculating charges, payment terms, timeframes, delivery terms, etc. Agree dispute … The newsagency sector Other / Not covered Security of payment laws in the ACT In the ACT, there are security of payment laws which ensures that a person undertaking …

Basic page

More decisive action needed on small business payments says Ombudsman

Small business owners and leaders have every right to be frustrated by the Reserve Bank’s review of retail payments regulations, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

While some progress is being…

… some progress is being made, it is disappointing this report falls well short of delivering the vital changes small … and family enterprises paying more than they need to for payment services,” Mr Billson said. The Reserve Bank said it expected payment providers to “offer and promote least-cost routing” …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Natural disaster preparation and checklists for small business

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subjects: How small business can prepare for a…

… hang on a minute, the economic losses will be many more times that. And there's a duty on those service providers … had a direct loss.  It's the same with banking services. Payment platforms went out late last week for a lot of the … it recommend?  Bruce Billson You can find a copy of that report on our website. Why we did that was there was a series …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, Small Business Matters data report

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Oly Peterson.

6PR Perth

26 June 2023

Subject:

Micro,…

… Medium-sized Enterprises Day, Small Business Matters data report 26 June 2023 Australian Small Business and Family … Billson There's plenty of headwinds there and changing times sometimes play into some businesses model and sometimes … Billson There's plenty of headwinds there and changing times sometimes play into some businesses model and sometimes …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes payment times review

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of a review of the Payment Times Reporting Act.

The review, to be chaired by former minister Craig Emerson, will…

… Ombudsman welcomes payment times review 06 December 2022 The Australian Small Business … Australian Government’s announcement of a review of the Payment Times Reporting Act. The review, to be chaired by …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Internet domain name changes

TRANSCRIPT

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

5AA Adelaide

6 September 2022

…

… pinching that, perhaps wanting to flog it to them for many times the amount that the original person paid for it, or … pinching that, perhaps wanting to flog it to them for many times the amount that the original person paid for it, or …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Banking announcement to fight scams, Australian Government’s cyber support for small business

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

24 November 2023

…

… that name and if there's an irregularity then it stops the payment going through. This is fantastic news. If you and I … customer. The sums are the right amount. You make the payment and then it's whisked away into a bank account and … consumers, who's got the money ready just to replace that payment and settle that account?  Leon Delaney Well , …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: End of Financial Year changes for small business

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Selina Green on ABC Radio SA South East.

Subject: End of Financial Year changes for small business…

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Selina Green on ABC Radio SA South East.

Subject: End of Financial Year changes for small business…

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Optus and small business, banking services

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

10 November 2023

 …

… not just about making and receiving phone calls, Leon. Payment platforms are enabled, bookings arrangements, your … capability to cut hair, make the booking and then receive payment, not to mention the business of running the business … came back because they couldn't find an ATM. And there's a report today that people are now taking aim at our big banks …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

Leon Delaney

…

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

Leon Delaney

…

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

3G shut-down, digital platforms, October Business Month, financial and mental health support for small businesses

 18 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Rick Hind.

ABC Radio Darwin

 

…

… to be with you. What a great throwback to those exciting times when we ticked into the new Millennium.  Rick Hind I … you bought the technology from. I know some of the card payment system providers have been up and about, and you know … with people not realising they won't be able to take a payment after the 28th of October if they don't upgrade.  In …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Resolving small business disputes

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Raf Epstein.

ABC Radio Melbourne

Subject: Concern about small businesses being paid, resolving disputes, sleepwalking into a big corporate…

… Others have a business model that's attractive for the times, they're doing okay, but increases in input costs and … Others have a business model that's attractive for the times, they're doing okay, but increases in input costs and …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

2025-26 Federal Budget, instant asset write-off, insolvency, small business conditions

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Stephen Cenatiempo.

Radio 2CC…

… more supportive after quite a period of challenging times. That recovery plan, I think, was what people were … relief from the measures that you just touched on. Energy bill relief - I mean, that's not going to, you know, shift … information, 46% of incorporated small businesses did not report a profit. For the million and a half small business …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, Insolvency Figures

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Glen Bartholomew.

ABC News Radio

Subjects: Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, Insolvency Figures

…

… only about a third that are paying in within a month. Now payment times within a month, that's hardly spectacular. That's not … only about a third that are paying in within a month. Now payment times within a month, that's hardly spectacular. …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Pagination

  • « First First page
  • ‹ Previous Previous page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • …
  • Next › Next page
  • Last » Last page

Connect with us

facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

twitter

 

 

 

 

 

instagram

 

 

 

 

 

linkedin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

youtube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

newsletter

 

 

atsi

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.

Primary Footer Menu 1

  • Social Media
  • Resources and tools
  • Data portal
  • Dispute support
  • One thing ASBFEO can do for me
  • Contact us

Highlight

  • About
  • Copyright

Footer menu

  • Language Assistance
  • Accessibility
  • Treasury AI Transparency Statement
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap