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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.

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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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  • Media Centre (203)
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  • ASBFEO Live (214)

TRANSCRIPT: growing number of small business disputes with big tech digital platform providers, Ghostbusters, John McEnroe, weaponised product takedowns and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

 15 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

…

… TRANSCRIPT: growing number of 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

… Our peers Australian Business Licence and Information Service   helps you find … a problem with a customer, supplier, or other business. Small business resources from the ACCC include: refunds, … – accc.gov.au/selling scams and how to better protect your small business – scamwatch.gov.au free online small business …

Meet the Ombudsman, Bruce Billson

In this video Ombudsman Bruce Billson discusses the role of our office.

Are you a small or family business owner in Australia, experiencing a dispute with another business or government agency? We're here to help. See our …

… Bruce Billson discusses the role of our office. Are you a small or family business owner in Australia, experiencing a dispute with … the Inaugural Small Business Ombudsman. A position created under legislation in 2015. Kate was in the office for five … Bruce Billson discusses the role of our office. Are you a small or family business owner in Australia, experiencing a …

Media Centre item
ASBFEO Live

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 …

Basic page

… Financial Wellbeing Resources for Small Business and Family Enterprise Owners ASBFEO’s Tax Concierge … ATO. You can also set up a payment plan if your debt is under $100,000. Phone: 12 28 66 (Business enquiries line) …

… Ombudsman engaged with relevant stakeholders, including small and family businesses, their advisers, and … 36 communities across Australia to directly hear from small and family businesses impacted by natural disasters. In … only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan. By taking simple steps to be better …

… Ombudsman engaged with relevant stakeholders, including small and family businesses, their advisers, and … 36 communities across Australia to directly hear from small and family businesses impacted by natural disasters. In … only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan. By taking simple steps to be better …

… Methodology The ABSFEO Small Business Pulse is a world-leading combination of … and traditional data to produce an indicator of small business health. There is growing research on the value … The ABSFEO Small Business Pulse is a world-leading combination of …

Self-employment

… people who want to be their own boss and have their own business. We understand that setting up a business can be … the resources that meets your needs and the needs of your small business and will help step you through what you need … you to build your own employment contract, for an employee under Australia’s Fair Work System, that is tailored to your …

Basic page

Small businesses must prepare for the upcoming 3G shutdown

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off which is now scheduled to take place on 28…

… Small businesses must prepare for the upcoming 3G shutdown 19 … Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small, family and farming businesses should urgently make … are unaware of the scope of this event and the possible business-harming disconnection and technology dysfunction …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

… Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only … Bureau of Statistics, customised data, 2023. The number of small businesses in NSW increased by 1% over the year to 30 … The areas with the largest increase in the number of small businesses were: Blacktown – North (increased by 1,078 …

… Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only … Bureau of Statistics, customised data, 2023. The number of small businesses in Queensland increased 2% over the year to … The areas with the largest increase in the number of small businesses were: Browns Plains (increased by 582 small …

… Total includes a small number of businesses where information is only … Bureau of Statistics, customised data, 2023. The number of small businesses in Western Australia increased 2% and … to 30 June 2023. The areas with the largest increase in small businesses numbers were in: Gosnells (increased by 653 …

… ASBFEO may offer limited low-cost legal advice to eligible small businesses in dispute with another business or government agency.  This may be offered at 2 … dispute resolution in relation to a relevant action under s65 of the Australian Small Business and Family …

TRANSCRIPT: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)…

… (least-cost routing) 18 March 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … the payment is taking either do they? This is completely under the control of the banks, isn't it?  Bruce Billson And … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING MAY IMPACT SMEs SOONER THAN EXPECTED

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate themselves on greenhouse gas (GHG)…

… EXPECTED 09 October 2025 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate … JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Banking announcement to fight scams, small business conditions

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Tom Connell.

Sky News

24 November 2023

Tom Connell…

… TRANSCRIPT: Banking announcement to fight scams, small business conditions 24 November 2023 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

3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: 3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short

Leon Delaney

…

… 3G switch-off - small business warned not to be caught short 29 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

OP-ED: Big tech must do better by small biz

Bruce Billson 

Published in The Daily Telegraph and the Courier-Mail

15 October 2024

When a small business has a problem with a Big Tech digital platform - such as having your account shut down after being hacked…

… OP-ED: Big tech must do better by small biz 15 October 2024 Bruce Billson   Published in The … Telegraph and the Courier-Mail 15 October 2024 When a small business has a problem with a Big Tech digital platform - … Telegraph and the Courier-Mail 15 October 2024 When a small business has a problem with a Big Tech digital platform …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes cancellation and suspension of Australian credit licences

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 (…

… Australian credit licences 11 August 2021 The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has … between financial firms that are members and their small business and consumer customers that can’t resolve … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

… the numbers, industries and demographics of Australia’s small business apprentices and trainees and illustrates the … were aged 24 and under in December 2023. The number of apprentices and … the numbers, industries and demographics of Australia’s small business apprentices and trainees and illustrates the …

… The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has … office issued its second ever notice of refusal to mediate under section 74 of the Act, against lender Prudent Capital … The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell …

Franchising, when done well, can bring small business success

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson

Franchising, when done well, is one of the most dynamic and scalable models of entrepreneurship available to small business owners. It offers a unique blend of independence and…

… Franchising, when done well, can bring small business success 10 November 2025 Originally published in The … and scalable models of entrepreneurship available to small business owners. It offers a unique blend of … and scalable models of entrepreneurship available to small business owners. It offers a unique blend of …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN RELEASES PROCUREMENT INQUIRY ISSUES PAPER

Many small businesses say they feel excluded from the chance to tender for Australian Government procurement contracts because they are not part of the ‘in-crowd’ or find the process too hard to navigate, says the Australian Small Business and Family…

… PROCUREMENT INQUIRY ISSUES PAPER 02 August 2023 Many small businesses say they feel excluded from the chance to … find the process too hard to navigate, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.  Mr … Many small businesses say they feel excluded from the chance to …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Thomas Oriti.

ABC News Radio

Subject: Small business problems with digital…

… TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms 23 April 2024 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson … TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

… Methodology The ABSFEO Small Business Pulse is a global first combination of … and traditional data to produce an indicator of small business health. There is growing research on the value … The ABSFEO Small Business Pulse is a global first combination of …

MEDIA RELEASE: 12 days until 3G shutdown - What small, family and farming business need to check

Small and family businesses have just 12 days to make sure they do not have their vital business systems and equipment fail when the 3G network is switched off on 28 October, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce…

… MEDIA RELEASE: 12 days until 3G shutdown - What small, family and farming business need to check 16 October 2024 Small and family businesses have just 12 days to make sure … Small and family businesses have just 12 days to make sure they do not have their vital business systems and equipment fail when the 3G network is …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

… Most franchise business models fall into one of four types of systems, with … having different structural features, commercial terms and business expectations.  Establishment/operating costs and fee … While most franchisors and nearly all franchisees are small businesses, a growing number of large corporations are …

… Six essential steps If you are thinking of starting a small business, here are 6 essential steps to consider: Starting … you to build your own employment contract, for an employee under Australia’s Fair Work System, that is tailored to 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.

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