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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.  

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        • Different types of franchises
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        • Before you sign – do your research on the franchise
        • Assess the franchise opportunities and seek professional advice
        • Read the franchise agreement
      • Franchising Code of Conduct and Alternative Dispute Resolution
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      • Managing change
        • Best practice for franchisors
          • The psychology of change
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      • Exiting a franchise
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Compliance
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisees
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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
    • Policy insights
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      • One thing ASBFEO can do for me
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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
    • Cyber security
    • Financial Wellbeing
    • Mental health
    • Handling debts
    • Using social media securely
    • Resources for starting a small business
    • 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
    • Climate-related financial disclosures
    • Self-employment
    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
    • Default credit listings
    • Disputes with an overseas business
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    • Working as a delivery driver
    • ‘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.   

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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
      • 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 Centre item (214)
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Media Section

  • Media Centre (203)
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  • Disputes & Assistance (1)
  • Resources & Tools Centre (1)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (214)

… Greater Perth There were 190,679 small businesses in Greater Perth on 30 June 2023, representing 80% of Western Australia’s small businesses. Similarly, 80% of Western Australians live … The Greater Perth areas with the highest number of small businesses were: Perth City (25,532 small businesses). …

… We depend heavily on the small and family run businesses in our lives – whether it is … in training – nearly double the amount employed by big business. We celebrate the vital and deeply personal … steadily climbing. Just 8% of small business owners are under 30. That’s half the peak for this age group of 17% …

… Ombudsman's Foreword We depend heavily on the small and family run businesses in our lives – whether it is … in training – nearly double the amount employed by big business. We celebrate the vital and deeply personal … steadily climbing. Just 8% of small business owners are under 30. That’s half the peak for this age group of 17% …

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

Radio 6PR Perth

Subject: internet domain name changes

Oliver Peterson

You’re being warned if you're a small business owner and for that matter, if you go to a website,…

… Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … changes Oliver Peterson You’re being warned if you're a small business owner and for that matter, if you go to a website, … changes Oliver Peterson You’re being warned if you're a small business owner and for that matter, if you go to a …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Contribution to Australian Employment

… transfer the data directly to your device. The value that small business contributes to employment numbers in Australia is … measured by comparing the number of employees working in small business with employees in other business sizes and … The value that small business contributes to employment numbers in Australia …

Basic page

Cyber security

… security is more important than ever. Vast numbers of small and family businesses are being compromised and, in … here . Our check list provides some simple steps to help small businesses and family enterprises avoid or reduce the … Centre has dedicated resources for small businesses: Small Business Cyber Security Guide to help small businesses …

Basic page

… Industry  is Australia’s largest and most representative business network. The members of ACCI are state and territory … in the hospitality and liquor industry registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. The …  is the industry association that proudly represents small, medium, and large businesses in design, advisory, and …

3G switch-off warning for small business

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Becc Chave.

ABC Radio SA South East

Subject: 3G switch-off warning for small business

Becc Chave

Australia's 3G…

… 3G switch-off warning for small business 31 May 2024 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Don't be a 3G switch-off casualty

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Dusty Fitzpatrick.

2BS Bathurst

Subject: Don’t be a 3G switch-off casualty

Dusty Fitzpatrick

The Australian Small…

… Don't be a 3G switch-off casualty 31 May 2024 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … a 3G switch-off casualty Dusty Fitzpatrick The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… The impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. These impacts can … streams. Recovering from this can take a heavy toll on small business owners, their employees, and the broader community.  … The impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. These impacts can …

… the Greater Darwin area8, 74% (11,454) of the Territory’s small businesses were in Greater Darwin on 30 June 2023. The areas with the highest number of small businesses were: Darwin City (1,301 small businesses) Woolner  – Bayview – Winnellie (998 small …

… Adelaide Over three quarters (76%) of South Australian small businesses were in Greater Adelaide on 30 June 2023. … The Greater Adelaide areas with the highest number of small businesses were: Adelaide City (12,024 small businesses), 87% of these were in Adelaide Onkaparinga …

… The  Magistrate's Court is typically used for claims under $50,000, while more complex or higher-value disputes go … There are various free or low-cost resources available to small businesses. These services can help you understand your … advice to help you understand your options. Tasmanian Business Advice Service provides free and independent …

… the franchisor or franchisee, significant changes to the business and dealing with disputes.  This is a business transaction so you can sign agreements with as … from bad conduct – it doesn’t protect you from bad business decisions. Invest in professional help. A lawyer who …

OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES FRANCHISING REVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF REVIEWER

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…

… AND APPOINTMENT OF REVIEWER 15 August 2023 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has … importance of accessible and effective dispute resolution under the Franchising Code, with approximately 15% of all … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small business borrowers urged to beware before taking out a loan (Prudent)

… Small business borrowers urged to beware before taking out a loan (Prudent) The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell … office issued its second ever notice of refusal to mediate under section 74 of the Act, against lender Prudent Capital …

Basic page

… The impacts of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can … streams. Recovering from this can take a heavy toll on small and family business owners, their employees, and the broader … The impacts of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can …

… The impacts of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can … streams. Recovering from this can take a heavy toll on small and family business owners, their employees, and the broader … The impacts of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can …

3G switch-off warning for small, family and farming businesses

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

Radio 6PR Perth

Subject: 3G switch-off warning for small, family and farming businesses

Oliver Peterson…

… 3G switch-off warning for small, family and farming businesses 24 July 2024 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… the Greater Darwin area8, 74% (11,454) of the Territory’s small businesses were in Greater Darwin on 30 June 2023. The areas with the highest number of small businesses were: Darwin City (1,301 small businesses) Woolner  – Bayview – Winnellie (998 small … the Greater Darwin area8, 74% (11,454) of the Territory’s small businesses were in Greater Darwin on 30 June 2023. The …

… Widespread Growth The number of small businesses increased in all states and territories and … capital city and regional areas. Almost seven out of 10 small businesses (1.7 million) are in a greater capital city … Queensland and Tasmania had the highest proportion of small businesses located in regional areas. The top five …

… Source:  ABS Counts of Australian Business , Table 17, December 2024 and ASBFEO calculations … that are not registered for GST). A common definition of small business used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) … Using this definition, 98% of Australian businesses are small businesses. The vast majority (92%) of these businesses …

… resolves disputes on a range of matters for claims under $25,000. Magistrates Court of Queensland The  … There are various free or low-cost resources available to small businesses. These services can help you understand your legal rights and options. Queensland Small Business Commissioner helps resolve different types of …

… The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has become aware that businesses trading under the REBL Corp banner have ceased operating based on … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has become …

… other available resources at your state level. The Small Business Commissioners Offices are a good starting point. New South Wales Small Business Commission Queensland Small Business … other available resources at your state level. The Small Business Commissioners Offices are a good starting …

… Adelaide Over three quarters (76%) of South Australian small businesses were in Greater Adelaide on 30 June 2023. … The Greater Adelaide areas with the highest number of small businesses were: Adelaide City (12,024 small businesses), 87% of these were in Adelaide Onkaparinga …

… Six essential steps If you are thinking of starting a small business, here are 6 essential steps to consider: Starting … while building revenue – and then double it.  Even when small businesses feel confident with detailed budgets and … If you are thinking of starting a small business, here are 6 essential steps to consider: …

Policy & Advocacy

… About Policy The ASBFEO understand the challenges facing small and family business. We undertake a number of different activities to advocate for small businesses and family enterprises to improve policies …

Basic page

… There are various free or low-cost resources available to small businesses. These services can help you understand your legal rights and options. Small Business Development Corporation offers free and confidential … There are various free or low-cost resources available to small businesses. These services can help you understand your …

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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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