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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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    • How Digital Marketing Providers can impress small business clients
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    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
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    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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Media Section

  • Media Centre (197)
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Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (208)

The small business insurance crisis

Originally published in Kochies Business Builder.

Many small and family businesses say their biggest and most pressing cost pressure is not wages, energy or even landlords putting up the rent; it’s insurance, writes Small Business and…

… Mutual Fund. Why a Discretionary Mutual Fund is needed Our report called The Show Must Go On and subsequent further … was a rise in the number of insurance issues after the 2020 bushfires, mainly regarding property and related public … to obtain and risk appetites are low. In its 2022 annual report the Insurance Council of Australia indicated it would …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Help at hand for small businesses

Originally Published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Vibrant, culturally and linguistically diverse small businesses are essential to growing our economy.

WE ALL depend on the small and family-run businesses in our lives - from…

… 14 April 2025 Originally Published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Vibrant, culturally and linguistically … from ASBFEO case managers, almost 60 per cent had a payment dispute. This is almost double the number of … needed active case management assistance from ASBFEO for payment dispute in the March 2025 quarter. Sadly, payment …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Small business key to lifting living standards and economic resilience

Originally posted in the Canberra Times

It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what is needed to bolster our economic resilience and to restore living standards at a time of uncertainty and disruption. International economic…

… resilience 26 May 2025 Originally posted in the Canberra Times It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what … Originally posted in the Canberra Times It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

New protections will blunt ‘too sharp by half’ conduct that harms small businesses

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has enthusiastically welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to introduce protections for small and family businesses harmed by unfair business trading practices. 

…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has enthusiastically welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to introduce protections for small and family businesses harmed by unfair business trading practices. 

…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Keeping small businesses afloat comes down to us all

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

This week we celebrate World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, which is a terrific opportunity to say a big thank you to the enterprising people who are the lifeblood of our communities.…

… us all 24 June 2024 Originally published in the Canberra Times. This week we celebrate World Micro, Small and … Originally published in the Canberra Times. This week we celebrate World Micro, Small and …

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…

… big business to small business and ratings for big firms' payment performance. The recent US presidential debate … big business to small business and ratings for big firms' payment performance. The recent US presidential debate …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

… 2021. This was a 19% increase compared to the same time in 2020 and slightly lower than at the end of September 2021. … has remained relatively high since the December quarter 2020. This has been supported by the Australian Government’s … Commencements wage subsidy, introduced in October 2020. [2] Small businesses accounted for 43% of all …

… by the Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher.  A final report with recommendations was provided to the Australian … in December 2023. The Government released the final report on 1 May 2024. Read or download the final report,  Review of the 1 July changes to the Commonwealth …

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

… Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No.1) Bill 2021 Date Thu, 05/27/2021 - 12:00 File Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No.1) Bill 2021 pdf 330.66 KB Summary Parliament of Australia – Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No.1) Bill 2021 …

Submission

Consultation on Preliminary Conclusion to the Retail Payments Regulation May 2021

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 has been … The review of the Payment Times Reporting Act by Dr Craig Emerson found there has been …

Newsletters

A right to repair inquiry Draft Report

… A right to repair inquiry Draft Report Date Thu, 08/05/2021 - 12:00 File A right to repair inquiry Draft Report pdf 683.98 KB Summary Productivity Commission – A right to repair inquiry Draft Report … Productivity Commission – A right to repair inquiry Draft Report …

Submission

QLD SBC Bill

… QLD SBC Bill Date Fri, 11/05/2021 - 12:00 File QLD SBC Bill pdf 1.04 MB Summary QLD Education, Employment and Training Committee - QLD Small Business Commissioner Bill 2021 … and Training Committee - QLD Small Business Commissioner Bill 2021 … QLD SBC Bill …

Submission

… 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 ask if a problem has prevented payment and find out what you can do to help resolve it. If …

Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response  - Better Advice) Bill 2021 [Provisions]

… Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response  - Better Advice) Bill 2021 [Provisions] Date Fri, 07/09/2021 - 12:00 File … Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response  - Better Advice) Bill 2021 [Provisions] pdf 841.44 KB Summary Senate Economics … Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response  - Better Advice) Bill 2021 [Provisions] …

Submission

… to change your password and review recent login activity.  Report your issue immediately with Meta and remember it may … resolve it. Keep a copy of the details and number of your report. If you have been hacked, only communicate with Meta … a victim of a cybercrime, scam or been hacked, you need to report it to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) . …

Consultation on Preliminary Conclusions to the Review of Retail Payment Systems

… on Preliminary Conclusions to the Review of Retail Payment Systems Date Fri, 07/09/2021 - 12:00 File … on Preliminary Conclusions to the Review of Retail Payment Systems pdf 867.86 KB Summary Reserve Bank of … on Preliminary Conclusions to the Review of Retail Payment Systems …

Submission

Implementing a reporting regime for sharing economy platform providers

Submission

… 2021. This was a 19% increase compared to the same time in 2020 and slightly lower than at the end of September 2021. … has remained relatively high since the December quarter 2020. This has been supported by the Australian Government’s … Commencements wage subsidy, introduced in October 2020. [2] Small businesses accounted for 43% of all …

… an online survey attracted more than 2,000 responses. The Report made 16 recommendations  and found that while natural … after suffering the effects of a natural disaster. The Report also found that all governments and the business … is after the event and only 3% is on preparedness. The Report found a strong sense of community connectedness, …

… an online survey attracted more than 2,000 responses. The Report made 16 recommendations  and found that while natural … after suffering the effects of a natural disaster. The Report also found that all governments and the business … is after the event and only 3% is on preparedness. The Report found a strong sense of community connectedness, …

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…

… 27 October 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Justice. The word itself carries … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Justice. The word itself carries …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Small Biz Ombudsman welcomes new Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the returning Government’s new Ministry with the Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed Dr…

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the returning Government’s new Ministry with the Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed Dr…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Using social media securely

… turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so that … be suspended from the platform. Create a separate payment method that is only used for your social media … to change your password and review recent login activity.  Report your issue immediately with Meta and remember it may …

Basic page

… also provide  support  during crisis events and difficult times. If you experience financial hardship and are … 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 … individuals can access a one-off non-taxable crisis payment . Small Business Debt Helpline The Small Business …

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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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