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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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    • Dispute support
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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
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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
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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
    • 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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    • 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
    • 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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Content type

  • 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)

Our network

… Our network ASBFEO understands the challenges facing small businesses and family enterprises. We also know that when we collaborate with our small business and family enterprise network and peers, we are more … in the hospitality and liquor industry registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. The …

Basic page

TRANSCRIPT: Banking announcement to fight scams, Australian Government’s cyber support for small business

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

24 November 2023

…

… to fight scams, Australian Government’s cyber support for small business 24 November 2023 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small … Sadly, that's the business model that the scammers operate under, and it's not always certain that you'll get that … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS USING DIGITAL MARKETING 17 January 2024 Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with their … Digital marketing can be vital to the success of a small business yet one-in-three end up in a dispute with …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

What is ASBFEO and what does it do? How small business can chase money they are owed, insolvency fears, resolving problems with digital platforms, the Personal Property Security Register

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Rick Hind.

ABC Radio Darwin

 

Subject: What is ASBFEO and what does it…

… What is ASBFEO and what does it do? How small business can chase money they are owed, insolvency fears, … Security Register 29 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

National FBD, Tasmanian small and family businesses.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with David Wood on Ultra 106five Hobart.

David Wood

Today is National Family Business Day, and to find out a little bit more about…

… National FBD, Tasmanian small and family businesses. 19 September 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

SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES BANKING INDUSTRY PLEDGE TO FIGHT SCAMS

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the significant commitment announced today by the banking industry to better support small businesses to combat scams.

Mr Billson said a $100 million…

… SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES BANKING INDUSTRY PLEDGE TO FIGHT SCAMS 24 November 2023 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has … SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES BANKING INDUSTRY PLEDGE TO …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Government should show small businesses respect

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Australia's small businesses have been treated in a very shabby way by squabbling in our Federal Parliament.And our Parliament is a repeat offender.

Repeatedly we hear it said that small business…

… Government should show small businesses respect 10 June 2024 Originally published in the Canberra Times. Australia's small businesses have been treated in a very shabby way by … a repeat offender. Repeatedly we hear it said that small business is the engine room of the economy yet that engine is …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Laura Tchilinguirian.

ABC News Radio

Subject: Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely

Laura…

… Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely 28 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

Small business disaster preparedness

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Small business disaster preparedness.…

… Small business disaster preparedness 09 December 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Small business disaster preparedness …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… potential benefits of a tax discount/offset scheme for new small business owners to allow them to keep more of their income to … in a timely way and pay small business suppliers in under 21 days, with a ‘Good Business Pays’ recognition and … potential benefits of a tax discount/offset scheme for new small business owners to allow them to keep more of their …

… Commentary The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has today launched the ASBFEO Small Business Pulse – a global first combination of …

… 1. Small business apprentices and trainees Number of small business apprentices and trainees Small businesses employed … Number of small business apprentices and trainees Small businesses employed …

New South Wales

… New South Wales There were 849,075 small businesses in New South Wales (NSW) on 30 June 2023. These accounted for 34% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 31% of the population that live … 2021-22, Accessed 15 January 2024  Table 1: Small business in NSW, 30 June 2023 Download data Source:  Based …

Basic page

… and then floods. 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.  … and then floods. The impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. These impacts can …

… MSME messages    The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman   Video file  The … Collins MP - Minister for Housing, Homelessness, and for Small Business   The referenced media source is missing and … MSME messages    The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman    The Hon. …

Victoria

… Victoria There were 701,061 small businesses in Victoria on 30 June 2023, representing 28% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 25% of the population that … 2021-22, Accessed 15 January 2024 Table 1: Small business in Victoria, 30 June 2023 Download data Source : …

Basic page

About us

… About us The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) was … ASBFEO does not have specific agency responsibilities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability …

Basic page

Building resilience is the key for small businesses

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

When a bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to fight fires, lay sandbags, assist with…

… Building resilience is the key for small businesses 03 January 2024 Originally published in The … bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to fight … bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

How we help

… help The ASBFEO responds to requests for assistance from small businesses and family enterprises that are in dispute … or Commonwealth Government agencies. If you are a Small Business operator in dispute with another business or … We maintain an ADR Practitioner list who conduct ADR under our legislation and the franchising , horticulture, …

Basic page

TRANSCRIPT: Small Business Cyber Security

TRANSCRIPT

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

6PR Perth

20 November 2023

 

…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small Business Cyber Security 20 November 2023 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT: Small Business Cyber Security …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… Background The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, launched the ASBFEO Small Business Pulse in August 2024. The Pulse is an … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, …

… over 8,000 followers to have her accounts restored. The small business owner would use the digital platform to showcase her … the digital platform and the accounts were reinstated in under two weeks. The small business wrote thanking us for our …

MEDIA RELEASE: Small business Ombudsman's guide to using social media securely

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide for small businesses using social media as their business platform, with tips to reduce the chances of being hacked.

“Using social media can be a…

… MEDIA RELEASE: Small business Ombudsman's guide to using social media securely 28 May 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has … MEDIA RELEASE: Small business Ombudsman's guide to using social media …

Media Centre item
ASBFEO Live

SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

New instant asset write-off thresholds, updated tax rules, increased superannuation payments and a rise in the minimum wage are among changes coming into effect on 1 July, says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise…

… SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS 28 June 2023 New instant asset write-off thresholds, … cooktops, and installing batteries and heat pumps. Under the scheme, which is pending passage through … into effect on 1 July, says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. “It is …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
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…

… provide clear, appropriate and easily accessible help for small business - with a real person they can talk to. Whether it is … or any of the many other digital platform providers, small and family businesses are getting a raw deal when they … provide clear, appropriate and easily accessible help for small business - with a real person they can talk to. Whether …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Excessive insurance premiums are killing small businesses

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Finding adequate insurance cover at commercially viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge for small and family businesses.

There have been countless examples of small businesses closing…

… Excessive insurance premiums are killing small businesses 04 March 2024 Originally published in the … viable terms is fast becoming a wicked challenge for small and family businesses. There have been countless … it' insurance products that in some case undermine the business's ability to operate with any hope of being viable. …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Queensland

… Queensland There were 482,836 small businesses in Queensland on 30 June 2023, representing 19% of all Australian small businesses (compared to 20% of Australia’s population … 2021-22 , Accessed 15 January 2024. Table 1: Small business in Queensland, 30 June 2023 Download data Source : …

Basic page

New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes

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…

… New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes 03 March 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has … New low-cost support to help small and family businesses resolve disputes …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed)

By Bruce Billson

Originally published in the Herald Sun.

At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much to ask that their big business customers play their parts by paying their invoices in a more…

… Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed) 14 February 2023 By Bruce Billson Originally published in the Herald Sun. At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much … reveal only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days, while almost a …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business insurance crisis

 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Leon Delaney

The Australian Small…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business insurance crisis 04 March 2024   Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … that may choose, in some cases courageously choose, to under-insured and perhaps worryingly not insure at all …   Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

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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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