Issue No. 21
April 2015
21 today! Welcome to our 21st ASBC newsletter.
Since our last newsletter we have been on an Easter egg hunt for business, progressed
work on our transformation into the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise
Ombudsman, released Phase one of our Government as a Model Business study and
written to heads of government agencies in relation to Phase two.
My Office is currently working with small business, industry and government on the third
Fix-it Squad to identify ways to make it easier for small business to hire an employee.
Read on to find out more about our model business study and transformation, as well as
how to learn online for free, protect your valuable business goods, stay smart online, and
more.
Mark Brennan, Australian Small Business Commissioner
Behaving as a model business
Our model business study seeks to identify model business behaviours and influence change
in government.
In litigation government agencies are required to behave as a model litigant. So, in business,
why shouldn't government agencies be expected to behave as a model business?
Phase one of the study identified the characteristics of a model business. Find out what they
are at www.asbc.gov.au/reports
Phase two has just commenced and will explore the model business behaviours with
government leaders to determine how they might be adapted and adopted across government.
Learn online for free
Want to improve your business skills, but don't have the money or time? Online courses
provide flexible learning opportunities and many are free, here’s a few of our favourites:

Fair Work’s Online Learning Centre: free 20-30 minute courses for employers

Small Business Building’s free online Certificate III Micro Business Operations

ACCC’s Small Business Education Program: free 10-20 minute courses covering topics
such as misleading advertising, market power and scams.
Blueprint to reinvent the ATO
The ATO is changing the way they work to deliver clients and staff with the best possible
experience with the tax and super systems.
What does the Blueprint mean for your business?
•
Better services across government
•
Less duplication - tell us once
•
More time for business - integrated digital solutions
•
What you need when you need it - services anytime
• Tailored engagement based on circumstances, behaviour and choice.
Government news
www.asbc.gov.au/news/government
ASBC blog
www.asbc.gov.au/blog
ASBC newsletters
www.asbc.gov.au/news/newsletters
Online criminals target small biz
Did you know... Online criminals are now actively targeting small businesses because they
believe their devices are vulnerable.
How secure is your business online?
Use Stay Smart Online's small business self-assessment tool to learn about protecting your
computer, mobile devices and information, transacting online, and backing up data.
Keep on top of your online security by signing up for alerts about the latest threats,
vulnerabilities and scams.
Money management help
ASIC has launched Be MoneySmart - a free online training resource to help apprentices,
trainees and aspiring small business owners develop life-long money management skills.
Visit moneysmart.gov.au to better understand personal taxation, superannuation, insurance,
debt management and budgeting.
Are your products safe?
If you supply consumer goods (at any stage in the supply chain) in Australia, you are legally
responsible for how safe your products are.
To learn about sourcing safe goods, register and tune in to the ACCC's free, interactive
webinar for business, Sourcing safe products, on Tuesday 12 May 2015 at 12:00–1:00pm
AEST.
Find out more on the ASBC blog.
Register to protect your goods
Does your business buy valuable second-hand items, such as vehicles, equipment or
machinery?
Before you buy, check items on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to make
sure they're debt free and safe from repossession.
Do you sell, rent, lease or hire on terms?
Register your items on the PPSR, to make sure you can claim them back if a customer doesn't
pay or becomes insolvent.
More information is available in the PPSR small biz brochure.
What's new across government?
So much news, so little time. Save time and get the latest small business news and updates in
one place - Government News. What's new?
•
•
Tips to be money smart (ASIC, 13 April)
Super guarantee payment due 28 April (ATO, 9 April)
• IP Australia busts the jargon (ASBC, 8 April)
Changing into an Ombudsman
We have commenced a number of projects in preparation for our transformation into the
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, including building works and
website redevelopment.
The Treasury has been consulting on the exposure draft legislation to establish the
Ombudsman. Consultation has now closed and it is anticipated submissions will be made
available shortly on the Treasury website.
Office of the Australian Small Business Commissioner
Post: GPO Box 1791, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Phone: 1300 650 460 | Email: enquiries@asbc.gov.au