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…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed ASIC’s announcement that they have cancelled or suspended Australian credit licences for failing to be a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (…

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…

… aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The Intergenerational Report being released by the Treasurer this week highlights … aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The Intergenerational Report being released by the Treasurer this week highlights …

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…

… expert reports if necessary. The mediator is obligated to report back to the ASBFEO to advise that the mediation has … expert reports if necessary. The mediator is obligated to report back to the ASBFEO to advise that the mediation has …

… address insurance issues faced by the sector.”   A final report is expected to be completed in August. … The … address insurance issues faced by the sector.”   A final report is expected to be completed in August. … Ombudsman …

… mitigated by enhanced preparedness and resilience. The 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster … Recommendation 10.1 of the Royal Commission’s final report was that ‘State and Territory Governments should … the Ombudsman to undertake an Inquiry and provide a Report to the Minister by 18 March 2022. The Inquiry looked …

… mitigated by enhanced preparedness and resilience. The 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster … Recommendation 10.1 of the Royal Commission’s final report was that ‘State and Territory Governments should … the Ombudsman to undertake an Inquiry and provide a Report to the Minister by 18 March 2022. The Inquiry looked …

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Daily Telegraph.

Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. Economic contribution has dropped from 40 per cent to 33 per cent since 2006 and share…

… in the face’ for small businesses at these challenging times. We must continue to seek to abate these challenges … The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse did not reflect a fall in 2020 as government support measures outweighed other economic … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

… 31 March 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson More and more women are creating new … for women. … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson More and more women are creating new …

… Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry Report • Executive Summary • Recommendations • Terms of … mitigated by enhanced preparedness and resilience. The 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster … Recommendation 10.1 of the Royal Commission’s final report was that ‘State and Territory Governments should …

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…

Mature age workers may help ease staff shortages this festive season

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is encouraging small and family businesses to welcome applications from all-ages…

… The Australian Government’s Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021, will make it easier for skilled workers to take up … The Australian Government’s Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021, will make it easier for skilled workers to take up …

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the significant reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct announced by the Australian Government today will help level the playing field across the franchising sector.…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has called on Australia Post to defer its plans to stop delivering perishable goods, saying this would be a crushing blow to small business producers.

Mr Billson says…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson today welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Bank that it will automatically lower costs incurred by small businesses and family enterprises with a turnover of less than…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the landmark decision of the Full Federal Court to make ‘a sufficient departure from the norms of acceptable commercial behaviour’ a test of whether conduct is ‘…

Everyone’s a critic, but small businesses need kindly customers

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging people to refrain from posting negative online reviews, as short-staffed…

Originally published in Kochie's Business Builder.

We rightly honour and respect people for the livelihoods they carve out and the contribution they make to workplaces and the economy. But what is often missed as a vital and valued path to…

… although they remain below pre-pandemic levels.  “Payment disputes are often an early warning sign of cash flow …

MEDIA STATEMENT

Ombudsman to host feedback sessions in natural disaster-hit areas

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson is set to visit…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has congratulated the winners of the Western Sydney Women Awards, many of whom are outstanding small and family business owners.

The awards, held virtually last night,…

MEDIA STATEMENT

Ombudsman welcomes red tape buster for tradies, licensed workers

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small business…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of a review of the effectiveness of the regulatory framework that underpins the positive commercial…