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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.  

    • How We Help
    • Dispute support
    • Five steps to resolve your dispute
    • Franchising
      • Franchising done well
        • Different types of franchises
        • Characteristics that are important in a franchise relationship
        • Specific purpose funds
      • Resources for starting a franchise
        • 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
        • Franchising Mediation Feedback Form
      • Managing change
        • Best practice for franchisors
          • The psychology of change
          • Change management tips for franchisors
      • Exiting a franchise
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Compliance
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisees
        • Franchisee-initiated exit - Best practice guidance for franchisors
        • Tax implications - transferring or terminating a franchise
    • The Tax Concierge Service
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Access to low cost advice for disputes
    • Dispute case studies
    • 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.  

    • Small Business Commissioners
    • Cyber security
    • Financial wellbeing
    • Mental health
    • Handling debts
    • Resources for starting a small business
    • 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
    • Climate-related financial disclosures
    • Disaster preparation and recovery
    • Self-employment
    • Changes to Australian workplace laws
    • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US)
    • Payment Times Reporting Scheme
    • Disputes with an overseas business
    • Small Business Hub
    • Default credit listings
    • Working as a delivery driver
    • Healthy business relationships and dispute resolution
    • ‘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
    • Newsletters
    • Quarterly reports
    • Events
    • Social media
    • Contact Us
    • 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
    • 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
    • Spotlight on Sole Traders

The February 2026 Small Business Pulse is now available

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Content type

  • Basic page (102)
  • Media Centre item (22)
  • Report (5)
  • Submission (4)

Media Section

  • Media Centre (21)

Media Source

  • ASBFEO Live (22)

… disasters have a significant and devastating impact on small and family businesses, and their communities. The cost and the time it takes for small and family businesses to get back to business after a natural disaster is reduced if you are … disasters have a significant and devastating impact on small and family businesses, and their communities. The cost …

Speaking engagements and events policy

… Speaking engagements and events policy The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) receive … to raise awareness and share knowledge of issues facing small and family businesses. We aim to support as many … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) …

Basic page

… Government, and it supports eligible individuals and small businesses who can't access tax advice due to economic, … The program is designed for low-income earners, small businesses, and those facing financial hardship.  … help. Services are offered by university and TAFE students under the supervision of qualified tax professionals.  …

… responsibilities. There is also a  downloadable guide for small businesses. For more information about bullying, sexual … responsibilities. There is also a  downloadable guide for small businesses. For more information about bullying, sexual …

… matter A contractor entered into an agreement with a business but was not able to start work due to personal circumstances. The business sought a significant termination fee. After our office made initial contact, the business offered a reduced fee.  The contractor was referred …

… Minister or an organisation that represents a worker or business’ industrial interests can apply for one. A minimum … procedure for settling disputes about any matters arising under the order. Minimum standards orders may include:  … Minister or an organisation that represents a worker or business’ industrial interests can apply for one. A minimum …

… with debt collectors - Moneysmart.gov.au Mental health | business.gov.au Manage being in debt | business.gov.au Warning signs your business is in financial trouble | business.gov.au Getting your debt under control Getting urgent help with money if you are in a …

… guidelines. If these guidelines are breached, your business can indefinitely be suspended from the platform. … account/s. Set a limit to the amount of spend that your business can manage until a fraudulent transaction can be … your account/s and a screenshot of your page/s with the business name. Consider expanding your business online …

… Table 2: Small business share of the total value added by industry in 2022-23 Industry sector Small Medium Large All Small business share   $m $m $m $m % Agriculture, forestry and …

Assess the franchise opportunities and seek professional advice

… before you sign is one of the best investments in your business.  Consider the information you have researched and … trying to rush you into signing up? Ethical leadership and business practices: Good franchisors lead by example, promoting ethical business practices and holding themselves and their …

Basic page

… Go to court Tips for navigating courts and tribunals as a small business Navigating courts and tribunals can be daunting. You … user-friendly systems to support self-representation for small claims. The tips below can help if you are considering … Tips for navigating courts and tribunals as a small business Navigating courts and tribunals can be …

… rules for fixed term contracts There are new rules for any small business who hires employees on fixed term contracts from 6 … Work Commission to extend the period for the contract. Small businesses and their employees can visit the  Fair Work … There are new rules for any small business who hires employees on fixed term contracts …

… specific common purpose related to running the franchised business, for example, a marketing fund. There are rules … whether it is to your benefit and has added value to your business. Transparency in specific purpose funds To … decision-making and encourages participation from both small and large franchisees. Other franchisors use similar …

… and procedures for dairy suppliers and processors. Under the Code, all milk supply agreements must contain … handling officer. Dairy Code Dispute Resolution Process Under the Code, if a party to a milk supply agreement has a … termination. Notifying the other party about the dispute Under the Code, when a dispute is to be managed under an …

… a rental increase that would render the franchise business unviable. It is wise not to make an immediate … motivation and if the proposal is:  notification that the business is about to close, or the franchisee is in serious … particularly if the franchisee is not running a successful business. The Code requires a yes/no response, however, there …

… Parties in dispute may attempt to resolve the dispute under either of these options. Parties should read the … to early termination of a franchising agreement also fall under the Code’s dispute resolution process. Disputes about … wish to terminate their franchise agreement early. Under the Code, at any time a franchisee may give their …

… initiative, and are you able to explain the personal and business benefits to franchisees? (This material was … initiative, and are you able to explain the personal and business benefits to franchisees? (This material was …

Climate-related financial disclosures: What they mean for SMEs in Australia

… SMEs are not directly subject to reporting requirements under the Corporations Act 2001 , they may be asked to … operate in and the GHG emissions they produce in their business.  Use the free business resources in the guide to find out more and help … SMEs are not directly subject to reporting requirements under the Corporations Act 2001 , they may be asked to …

Basic page

Alternative Dispute Resolution

… Alternative Dispute Resolution As a small business owner, navigating disputes with other businesses can … more control and work to agree on outcomes. Preserving business relationships  – ADR processes encourage … As a small business owner, navigating disputes with other …

Basic page

Small Business Insurance

… Small Business Insurance Date Fri, 03/06/2026 - 12:00 File 260306 SB - Small business insurance.pdf pdf 207.3 KB Summary Small business … Small business insurance … Small Business Insurance …

Submission

… ABOUT US The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) supports small businesses and family enterprises through two main …

… available online it can be hard to know where to turn for business support. My Business Health is here to help you navigate the system, to … good mental health, and vice versa. We want to ensure that small business owners have the tools to manage the challenges …

Franchising

… is a contractual relationship between independent business owners. While a franchisee will likely work in the … they are not employees of the franchisor. It is a business arrangement where one party (the franchisor) grants … (the franchisee) permission and the right to operate a business using its established brand, systems, and processes …

Basic page

Dairy Code

… and procedures for dairy suppliers and processors. Under the Code, all milk supply agreements must contain … handling officer. Dairy Code Dispute Resolution Process Under the Code, if a party to a milk supply agreement has a … termination. Notifying the other party about the dispute Under the Code, when a dispute is to be managed under an …

Basic page

… Invoice tips for small businesses Using electronic invoices or e-invoicing can reduce errors. Find out more about  e-invoicing for small businesses.  Find a contact in the accounts area and … tool , to help work out your next steps and get back to business. … can reduce errors. Find out more about  e-invoicing for small businesses.  Find a contact in the accounts area and …

… Only one-in-four small businesses have a disaster plan. Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry … Only one-in-four small businesses have a disaster plan. Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry …

… The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute … to mediation alternative dispute resolution processes under the Franchising, Horticulture, Dairy and Oil Codes of … The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute …

… Cyber security is more important than ever. Vast numbers of small and family businesses are being compromised and, in … year. Our check list provides some simple steps to help small businesses and family enterprises avoid or reduce the … Cyber security is more important than ever. Vast numbers of small and family businesses are being compromised and, in …

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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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