Small business resources
If you own a small business, there are many free resources and services that can help you.
business.gov.au
business.gov.au is a great website to visit if you have questions about starting, running or growing a business in Australia. For example, it provides information about how to set up your finances, improve your cashflow, manage disputes and manage being in debt.
business.gov.au also provides helpful tools and templates, such as a cashflow template, marketing plan template and cyber security checklist.
Moneysmart
The Moneysmart website provides free tools, tips and guidance about money. For example, it provides information about:
Financial counselling
The Small Business Debt Helpline provides free advice for small businesses that are having trouble with their finances.
Mental health support
NewAccess for Small Business is a free mental health coaching program run by Beyond Blue. The program helps small business owners and sole traders manage stress and anxiety.
For more free resources and services, see business.gov.au’s page on Mental health and wellbeing support for business.
Loan and credit contracts
When you sign a contract for a business loan or credit, you should check the terms to make sure they are fair.
We have published an information sheet that explains how the law protects small businesses from unfair terms in contracts for financial products and services. It also outlines what small businesses can do if they think a contract term is unfair:
Information sheet 211 Unfair contract term protections for small businesses (INFO 211)
Resolving disputes with other businesses or government agencies
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) can help you resolve disputes with other businesses and government agencies. They can:
- provide you with information to help you resolve a dispute in a timely low-cost way
- help you access low-cost legal advice (eligibility criteria applies) and arrange dispute resolution, such as mediation.
For more information, see ASBFEO dispute support.
Information for companies
Running a small business as a company
If you run, or are planning to run, a small business as a company, we have published a booklet that will help you understand your legal obligations:
Running a small business in Australia: What you need to know (PDF 2.8 MB)
Read the booklet in other languages:
Our website provides more information about running a company:
Video: Keeping your business on track when facing financial difficulty
If you’re a small business owner and your business is facing insolvency, we’ve developed a short video to guide you on your obligations and what actions to take.
Video: Keeping your business on track when facing financial difficulty - text version
If you’re a director of a company, and it’s struggling to pay the bills, it might be insolvent. Sticking your ‘head in the sand’, hoping things will improve won’t help, but taking action will.
There may be consequences for you as the director, if your company can’t pay what it owes. If your company goes under, or there is a complaint against you or the company, you may be investigated.
You could face civil and criminal penalties if you keep trading when your company is insolvent. You may even be banned from running a company, which means you can’t act as a director, or get someone to run it for you.
Get professional advice before it’s too late. Speak to a registered liquidator, lawyer or accountant or call the Small Business Debt Helpline. For more information visit ASIC’s webpages on insolvency for directors. Give yourself the best chance of keeping your business on track, get help early.
Sustainability reporting
Our website provides information about Australia’s mandatory sustainability reporting requirements and what it means for small business:
Sustainability reporting for small business
News and alerts
For the latest news and alerts from ASIC about small business, see our resources and news for business and companies.