Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Also known as: ASBFEO, Small Business Ombudsman
Federal statutory ombudsman for small business. Free assistance with disputes against other businesses or government, plus a Tax Concierge for ATO matters.
Free assistance. A $100 first-hour co-payment applies for the Small Business Dispute Help legal-advice service and for the Tax Concierge Service.
National
About this service
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman is an independent federal statutory office. It does not give legal advice, but it does case-manage disputes between small businesses and other businesses or government, refer to subsidised alternative dispute resolution, and run a Tax Concierge service for matters going to the Administrative Review Tribunal or seeking ex gratia (CDDA) compensation from a Commonwealth agency. Eligibility is broad: under 100 employees or under $5 million revenue. ASBFEO is the right first call for business-to-business and business-to-government disputes, including unpaid invoices, contract terms, and disputes with Commonwealth agencies.
When to use
A customer or supplier hasn't paid. You're in a contract dispute. You have a tax matter going to the Administrative Review Tribunal. A Commonwealth agency has caused you a quantifiable loss. You want help structuring a mediation.
When not to use
Acute mental health (Lifeline, MATES, NewAccess). Tax debt where you simply can't pay (SBDH first). Decision between SBR and voluntary administration (registered liquidator).
Who they help
Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees or under $5m revenue, dealing with disputes against another business, against a Commonwealth agency, or in tax matters heading to the ART or seeking CDDA compensation.
Who they don't help
ASBFEO does not handle pure financial counselling, mental health, or insolvency-decision support — route to SBDH, NewAccess, or a registered liquidator respectively. It cannot give legal advice or act as your lawyer.
Strengths
Independent federal statutory authority. Case-management approach. Specialist Tax Concierge. Long contact hours.
Limitations
Not a financial counsellor, lawyer, or insolvency practitioner — they refer when those are needed.
Source authority
www.asbfeo.gov.auOften used alongside
Small Business Debt Helpline
Free, confidential, specialist financial counselling for sole traders and small business owners — tax debt, BAS, supplier pressure, insolvency options.
ASIC — Find a Registered Liquidator
The official ASIC search for registered liquidators and small business restructuring practitioners. Verify any practitioner you're considering, before paying any fee.
Search is free. Initial consultation with a practitioner is usually free. Appointment fees vary — agree fees in writing before any engagement.
AFSA — Find a Practitioner
The official register of registered trustees and debt agreement administrators for personal insolvency. The sole-trader insolvency path goes through AFSA.
Search is free. Trustee and administrator fees vary; agree fees in writing before any engagement. Be wary of operators who advertise heavily — call the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 for an independent opinion before signing anything.
We do not refer to commercial debt-relief operators.
Every service we point you to is free or low-cost, government-funded or not-for-profit, and independent of creditors. If a paid operator is offering to negotiate your ATO debt or run a Part IX agreement for a fee, talk to the Small Business Debt Helpline first — 1800 413 828, free.
TEKVA provides information, not financial counselling or legal advice. Phone numbers, URLs, and operating hours were checked on 6 October 2026.