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    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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    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.

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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.

    We have compiled these supports for you, relevant to your interests and needs, to help your business succeed.  

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    Connect with us and keep up with our latest news, media releases, social media, successes and policy and advocacy work. 

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    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.

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    • Location of Australia’s small businesses - regional and metro areas

The November 2025 Small Business Pulse is now available

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TRANSCRIPT: Small business disputes with Big Tech digital platform providers

 15 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Annie Guest.

ABC Radio AM Program

 

…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business disputes with Big Tech digital platform providers 15 October 2024   15 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …   15 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business digital marketing help

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

17 January 2024

Leon…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business digital marketing help 17 January 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT: Small business digital marketing help …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… Cyber Security Centre has dedicated resources for small businesses: Small Business Cyber Security Guide to help small businesses … Cyber Security Centre has dedicated resources for small businesses: Small Business Cyber Security Guide to help small businesses …

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

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Gary Adshead.

Radio 6PR Perth

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

Gary Adshead…

… 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

Payment surcharges and least-cost routing to reduce fees

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Subject: payment surcharges and least…

… to reduce fees 28 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … They'll go and find the cheapest channel, which is under that flat fee, and keep the difference, and that's … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Payment surcharges and need for least-cost routing to cut fees

 17 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Steve Austin.

ABC Radio Brisbane

 

…

… 17 October 2024   17 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … Billson is ear-bashing the Federal Government on behalf of small business. Bruce Billson is the Australian Small …   17 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

2023-24 BUDGET HELPS SMALL BUSINESS WITH CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Read Bruce's 2023-24 Budget Brief

Read the May 2023-24 Budget Snapshot for Small Business

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s Budget helps small businesses with contemporary…

… 2023-24 BUDGET HELPS SMALL BUSINESS WITH CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES 09 May 2023 … Budget Brief Read the May 2023-24 Budget Snapshot for Small Business The Australian Small Business and Family … Budget Brief Read the May 2023-24 Budget Snapshot for Small Business The Australian Small Business and Family …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small Biz Ombudsman welcomes new Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the returning Government’s new Ministry with the Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed Dr…

… Small Biz Ombudsman welcomes new Minister 12 May 2025 Prime … Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business. The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise … Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business. The Australian Small Business and Family …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: what small, family and farming businesses need to know about 3G shutdown

 16 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with John Mackenzie.

Radio 4CA Cairns

 

…

… TRANSCRIPT: what small, family and farming businesses need to know about 3G … 16 October 2024   16 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …   16 October 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… Banks offer certainty to small businesses impacted by lockdowns 10 July 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Financial wellbeing

… distress is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for small and family business owners.  Tips Regularly review your business … ATO. You can also set up a payment plan if your debt is under $100,000. Phone: 12 28 66 (Business enquiries line) … distress is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for small and family business owners.  …

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 Kerry Peck.

Radio 2BS Bathurst

27 November 2023

…

… to fight scams, Australian Government’s cyber support for small business 27 November 2023 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … to fight scams, Australian Government’s cyber support for small business …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… 2. Number of small businesses by turnover Table 2: Business numbers by annual turnover in June 2023 Annual … that are not registered for GST). A common definition of small business used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) … that are not registered for GST). A common definition of small business used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) …

… Ombudsman Bruce Billson commenced his role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in March 2021. The Ombudsman is an independent advocate for small and family businesses. Bruce brings three decades of … Ombudsman Bruce Billson commenced his role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in …

Mysterious surcharges on our payments are unfair on everyone

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

No one is happy when you buy a coffee, a meal or even an item of furniture and as you tap your card a few extra cents or dollars are drained from your account.

Typically, a…

… or dollars are drained from your account. Typically, a small business merchant is only passing on this surcharge because … payments system with no help to their bottom-line. Small businesses have such tight margins, and most are facing … or dollars are drained from your account. Typically, a small business merchant is only passing on this surcharge …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

EINVOICING A SMART PROTECTION FOR SMALL BUSINESS

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging small businesses to adopt eInvoicing as a more secure and faster way of getting paid.“There are real opportunities for small business in engaging with…

… EINVOICING A SMART PROTECTION FOR SMALL BUSINESS 18 June 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… Small business apprentices and trainees Number of small business apprentices and trainees Table 1: Apprentices and … Number of small business apprentices and trainees Table 1: Apprentices and … Small business apprentices and trainees …

… Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only … Statistics, customised data, 2023. A fall in the number of small businesses in Greater Melbourne drove the overall decrease in small businesses in Victoria in the year to 30 June 2023. … Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only …

Economic Roundtable

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Canberra

Subject: Economic Roundtable  

…

… Economic Roundtable 01 September 2025 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … we are asking for trouble. We need AI ultimately, to be under the supervision of actual human beings, just to make … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

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…

… Small business needs certainty 17 May 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is … Small business needs certainty …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Tradies and sub-contractors to be paid on time and in full, in ‘fairer go’ for construction

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is encouraged by the Australian Government’s response to the Murray Review of Security of Payment Laws, and welcomes the announcement of further action to help ensure tradies and…

… ‘fairer go’ for construction 20 March 2025 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is … to extend protections against unfair business practices to small businesses, will also help address harmful conduct in … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME Day) , held … prosperity. MSME Day 2025 Our theme for 2025 is  ‘helping small biz thrive’ .  It highlights the important … through the resilience and drive of small and family business people.  It reinforces the need for practical policy …

Why it’s time to celebrate our hard-working self-employed

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…

… 28 August 2023 Originally published in Kochie's Business Builder. We rightly honour and respect people for … contribution is self-employment, writes Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce … businesses’. Just where do people think so many employing small businesses come from? Let’s celebrate the self-employed …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

… A Nation of Small and Family Businesses Almost 98% of all businesses are small businesses. There were 2,506,012 small businesses … or 7%, from the year before. A common definition of small business used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are … Almost 98% of all businesses are small businesses. There were 2,506,012 small businesses …

Temporary insolvency protections sensible as lockdowns continue

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged the Federal Government and regulators to consider the reactivation of temporary insolvency protections, to support small and family businesses doing it tough in…

… sensible as lockdowns continue 28 July 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has … of temporary insolvency protections, to support small and family businesses doing it tough in lockdown. Mr … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Small biz needs all the help it can get

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…

… Small biz needs all the help it can get 08 August 2024 … Originally published in the Daily Telegraph. Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. … average business owner is now 50 and only 8 per cent are under the age of 30, half what it was in the 1970s. It is in …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

New Franchising Sector Powers for Small Business Ombudsman

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper.

The Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins,…

… New Franchising Sector Powers for Small Business Ombudsman 07 May 2024 The Australian Small Business … “At present we can only use this name and shame power under our Act as it relates to general business disputes, … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only … data, 2022. There was a 1% increase in the number of small businesses in South Australia in the year to 30 June … The areas with the largest increase in the number of small businesses were: Salisbury (increased by 509 small …

… 2. Demographics of small business apprentices and trainees Sex [1] Three quarters of … in-training employed by small business were aged 24 and under in September 2022. These were mainly in the …

Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry (2022)

… Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry (2022) Only one-in-four small businesses have a disaster plan. • Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry … The impacts of natural disasters on small and family businesses can be devastating and can …

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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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