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    The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute with other businesses or Commonwealth Government agencies. 

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    The ASBFEO understand the challenges facing small businesses and family enterprises. 

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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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Small Business Pulse - February 2025

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  • Media Centre item (286)
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  • Submission (45)
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  • Media Centre (272)
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  • ASBFEO Live (286)

Success story type

Payment Times Procurement Connected Policy

… Payment Times Procurement Connected Policy Date Fri, 03/26/2021 - 12:00 File Payment Times Procurement Connected Policy pdf 268.96 KB Summary …

Submission

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 … Improving the transparency and …

Submission

Migrant-led small businesses urged to take action to safeguard internet identity

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has warned migrant-led small businesses they have just two weeks left to safeguard their brand and identity on the internet or risk seeing impersonators, web-name ‘campers’…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has warned migrant-led small businesses they have just two weeks left to safeguard their brand and identity on the internet or risk seeing impersonators, web-name ‘campers’…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Big tech laziness is hurting small Australian businesses

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

Digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way small businesses connect and sell to their customers. Yet, when there is a problem - such as having your account shut down after being hacked -…

… 13 May 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times. Digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way … turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so the … users require full admin access. And if you are hacked, report your issue immediately to the platform and make sure …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Small businesses must prepare for the upcoming 3G shutdown

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off which is now scheduled to take place on 28…

… Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small, family and farming businesses should urgently … calls and have data about who is currently paying the bill for use of that spectrum. As the 'most likely to know' … Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small, family and farming businesses should urgently …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

OP-ED: Big tech is failing the little guys

Bruce Billson 

 

Published in the Bendigo Advertiser and ACM Network

14 October, 2024

BIG tech digital platform providers need to urgently lift their game and provide clear, appropriate and easily…

Bruce Billson 

 

Published in the Bendigo Advertiser and ACM Network

14 October, 2024

BIG tech digital platform providers need to urgently lift their game and provide clear, appropriate and easily…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

What happens when builders go bust

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small business owners. Economic growth is barely limping along.

The combination of…

… go bust 01 April 2024 Originally published in the Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small … . … Originally published in the Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. The latest report card on the …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

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 (…

… that conversation work.  And after the travails of recent times, the reserves of emotional responsiveness and cash … that conversation work.  And after the travails of recent times, the reserves of emotional responsiveness and cash …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business needs certainty

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is urging Federal Parliament to give certainty to small business about two crucial tax breaks announced in last year’s budget.

“Time is running out with just six weeks…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is urging Federal Parliament to give certainty to small business about two crucial tax breaks announced in last year’s budget.

“Time is running out with just six weeks…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses

… 14 steps to energise enterprise below or download the full report. Introduction from the Ombudsman Almost 98% of … in the face’ for small businesses at these challenging times. We must continue to seek to abate these challenges … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

Report

When the dining table becomes the board table – celebrating National Family Business Day

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging all Australians to celebrate National Family Business Day on Thursday 19 September.

“It’s a great moment to reflect on the crucial role family-owned…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging all Australians to celebrate National Family Business Day on Thursday 19 September.

“It’s a great moment to reflect on the crucial role family-owned…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small businesses reap rewards amid rush to buy Australian Made

Small and family businesses are benefiting from a significant boost in consumer sentiment, with new research revealing 93% of Aussies prefer to buy products made in Australia.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce…

Small and family businesses are benefiting from a significant boost in consumer sentiment, with new research revealing 93% of Aussies prefer to buy products made in Australia.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Online tool a red-tape buster for small business employers: Ombudsman

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed a new online tool for small business owners, designed to take the stress out of hiring their first employee.

The Employment Contract Tool – recently…

… OH&S and record-keeping obligations. That’s about five times more than a large business with more than 200 … OH&S and record-keeping obligations. That’s about five times more than a large business with more than 200 …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Reforming the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 to promote competition in the debit card market and lower small business payment costs

… Reforming the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 to promote competition … in the debit card market and lower small business payment costs Date Thu, 07/06/2023 - 12:00 File SB - Reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998.pdf pdf 239.61 KB …

Submission

Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 primary legislation amendments

… Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 primary legislation amendments Date Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00 File SB 240429 Payment Times Legislation Amendments.pdf pdf 164.2 KB Summary …

Submission

Ombudsman thanks migrant-run small businesses for their contribution

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has marked Harmony Day (21 March, 2022) by thanking migrant-led small and family businesses for their valuable contribution to the vibrancy of the community and vitality of the…

… Billson says. “According to CGU’s Migrant Small Business Report about a third of migrant-run small businesses plan to … Billson says. “According to CGU’s Migrant Small Business Report about a third of migrant-run small businesses plan to …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Submission to Payment Times Reporting Rules Amendments 2024

… Submission to Payment Times Reporting Rules Amendments 2024 Date Fri, 08/16/2024 - 12:00 File 240819 SB Payment Times Reporting Rules 2024 - Treasury consultation …

Submission

WELCOME ACTION ON UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the Albanese Government’s move to introduce legislation to ban unfair contract terms for small businesses.  “This is a real problem for small and family…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the Albanese Government’s move to introduce legislation to ban unfair contract terms for small businesses.  “This is a real problem for small and family…

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…

… small businesses stay afloat in these challenging times,” Mr Billson says. “The banks’ commitment to support … 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

Meet the Ombudsman, Bruce Billson

In this video Ombudsman Bruce Billson discusses the role of our office.

Are you a small or family business owner in Australia, experiencing a dispute with another business or government agency? We're here to help. See our …

… needs. We're also here to provide some help at challenging times. On My Business Health website, there's some tools … needs. We're also here to provide some help at challenging times. On My Business Health website, there's some tools …

Media Centre item
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman working with Australia Post to support food producers

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says today’s decision by Australia Post to continue shipping perishable goods across the country will bring joyful relief to small business food producers.

Mr Billson…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says today’s decision by Australia Post to continue shipping perishable goods across the country will bring joyful relief to small business food producers.

Mr Billson…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

What should I do when disaster strikes? Here's a place to start

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Over the past five years there have been 13 declared natural disaster catastrophes.

The devastation caused to our communities by these terrible floods, storms, cyclones and…

… 09 December 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Over the past five years there have … … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Over the past five years there have …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
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…

… understand exactly what they will do for you and at what times and that you are both clear on the cost, including any … understand exactly what they will do for you and at what times and that you are both clear on the cost, including any …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

INDIGENOUS SMALL BUSINESSES URGED TO TAKE URGENT ACTION TO SAFEGUARD INTERNET IDENTITY

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has implored Indigenous small businesses to take urgent action to safeguard their brand and identity on the internet or risk seeing impersonators, web-name ‘campers’ or cyber…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has implored Indigenous small businesses to take urgent action to safeguard their brand and identity on the internet or risk seeing impersonators, web-name ‘campers’ or cyber…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so that Meta … up an account, or already have one, create a separate payment method that is only used for your social media … can be refunded. This limit will help ensure that, if your payment card or bank account is compromised, only a certain …

… (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs  regular and … (don’t expect anything that is not included) all costs, payment timings and overall contract costs  regular and …

Welcome win for government procurement contracts

Changes to Commonwealth procurement rules that take effect today will create more opportunities for small business to win government contracts, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“There is no…

Changes to Commonwealth procurement rules that take effect today will create more opportunities for small business to win government contracts, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“There is no…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, water and community.

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