Victorian Small Business Commission
@vsbc.bsky.social
We're an independent government agency, dedicated to a fair and competitive operating environment for Victoria's small businesses.
vsbc.vic.gov.au
1800 878 964
vsbc.vic.gov.au
1800 878 964
Whitehorse City Council has signed the Small Business Friendly Council Charter - which details six commitments to businesses in Whitehorse - a number of which council has already commenced work on.
You can learn more about the Charter by visiting https://bit.ly/3KniUBl
You can learn more about the Charter by visiting https://bit.ly/3KniUBl
December 10, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Whitehorse City Council has signed the Small Business Friendly Council Charter - which details six commitments to businesses in Whitehorse - a number of which council has already commenced work on.
You can learn more about the Charter by visiting https://bit.ly/3KniUBl
You can learn more about the Charter by visiting https://bit.ly/3KniUBl
Victorian employers have a responsibility to provide a workplace that's both physically and psychologically healthy and safe.
Access WorkSafe Victoria's guidance, including explanatory videos and fact sheets, by visiting worksafe.vic.gov.au/psychological-health
Access WorkSafe Victoria's guidance, including explanatory videos and fact sheets, by visiting worksafe.vic.gov.au/psychological-health
December 1, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Victorian employers have a responsibility to provide a workplace that's both physically and psychologically healthy and safe.
Access WorkSafe Victoria's guidance, including explanatory videos and fact sheets, by visiting worksafe.vic.gov.au/psychological-health
Access WorkSafe Victoria's guidance, including explanatory videos and fact sheets, by visiting worksafe.vic.gov.au/psychological-health
Have you read the news? VSBC News that is...
You'll find tips on pricing goods, spotting scams and following-up unpaid invoices.
You can read it now at: https://bit.ly/48bgEGn
You can also subscribe to ensure you don't miss the December edition: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
You'll find tips on pricing goods, spotting scams and following-up unpaid invoices.
You can read it now at: https://bit.ly/48bgEGn
You can also subscribe to ensure you don't miss the December edition: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
November 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Have you read the news? VSBC News that is...
You'll find tips on pricing goods, spotting scams and following-up unpaid invoices.
You can read it now at: https://bit.ly/48bgEGn
You can also subscribe to ensure you don't miss the December edition: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
You'll find tips on pricing goods, spotting scams and following-up unpaid invoices.
You can read it now at: https://bit.ly/48bgEGn
You can also subscribe to ensure you don't miss the December edition: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
It can be hard to find time to follow-up unpaid invoices, particularly in the busy weeks before the year's end.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith has prepared a blog with practical tips on how small business owners can follow-up outstanding invoices before the year's end: https://bit.ly/4olVmKO
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith has prepared a blog with practical tips on how small business owners can follow-up outstanding invoices before the year's end: https://bit.ly/4olVmKO
November 27, 2025 at 4:16 AM
It can be hard to find time to follow-up unpaid invoices, particularly in the busy weeks before the year's end.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith has prepared a blog with practical tips on how small business owners can follow-up outstanding invoices before the year's end: https://bit.ly/4olVmKO
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith has prepared a blog with practical tips on how small business owners can follow-up outstanding invoices before the year's end: https://bit.ly/4olVmKO
On average, Victorian Government departments paid small business suppliers in 7 days and agencies paid them in just under 14 during FY2024-25
You can read about which organisations can improve their payment times in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4oZkyrB
You can read about which organisations can improve their payment times in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4oZkyrB
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 AM
On average, Victorian Government departments paid small business suppliers in 7 days and agencies paid them in just under 14 during FY2024-25
You can read about which organisations can improve their payment times in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4oZkyrB
You can read about which organisations can improve their payment times in our Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4oZkyrB
PayDay Super is coming 1 July 2026.
It'll require employers to make super contributions with salary and wages payments.
It sounds a while away, but now is the time to begin preparing!
Learn more at https://bit.ly/48jPQDI
It'll require employers to make super contributions with salary and wages payments.
It sounds a while away, but now is the time to begin preparing!
Learn more at https://bit.ly/48jPQDI
November 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
PayDay Super is coming 1 July 2026.
It'll require employers to make super contributions with salary and wages payments.
It sounds a while away, but now is the time to begin preparing!
Learn more at https://bit.ly/48jPQDI
It'll require employers to make super contributions with salary and wages payments.
It sounds a while away, but now is the time to begin preparing!
Learn more at https://bit.ly/48jPQDI
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has re-confirmed its commitment to small businesses by re-signing the Small Business Friendly Council Charter on Friday 31 October 2025.
You can read more about the Small Business Friendly Council Charter at vsbc.vic.gov.au/small-business-friendly-councils
You can read more about the Small Business Friendly Council Charter at vsbc.vic.gov.au/small-business-friendly-councils
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has re-confirmed its commitment to small businesses by re-signing the Small Business Friendly Council Charter on Friday 31 October 2025.
You can read more about the Small Business Friendly Council Charter at vsbc.vic.gov.au/small-business-friendly-councils
You can read more about the Small Business Friendly Council Charter at vsbc.vic.gov.au/small-business-friendly-councils
Join our lunch-and-learn webinar for tips to avoid and resolve business disputes, drawing upon hundreds of insights from the past financial year.
12pm Friday 14 November via Microsoft Teams.
Register to attend at https://bit.ly/49PR5f4
12pm Friday 14 November via Microsoft Teams.
Register to attend at https://bit.ly/49PR5f4
November 13, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Join our lunch-and-learn webinar for tips to avoid and resolve business disputes, drawing upon hundreds of insights from the past financial year.
12pm Friday 14 November via Microsoft Teams.
Register to attend at https://bit.ly/49PR5f4
12pm Friday 14 November via Microsoft Teams.
Register to attend at https://bit.ly/49PR5f4
Disputes are a Halloween-like ghoul that persist year-round.
We impartially bring together parties in disagreement together to negotiate a solution to their disputes. Dispute-busters, you could say!
Visit vsbc.vic.gov.au to learn about our dispute resolution services.
We impartially bring together parties in disagreement together to negotiate a solution to their disputes. Dispute-busters, you could say!
Visit vsbc.vic.gov.au to learn about our dispute resolution services.
October 31, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Disputes are a Halloween-like ghoul that persist year-round.
We impartially bring together parties in disagreement together to negotiate a solution to their disputes. Dispute-busters, you could say!
Visit vsbc.vic.gov.au to learn about our dispute resolution services.
We impartially bring together parties in disagreement together to negotiate a solution to their disputes. Dispute-busters, you could say!
Visit vsbc.vic.gov.au to learn about our dispute resolution services.
The Victorian Small Business Commission's Annual Report 2024-25 is now available to read online.
You can view the report in PDF and accessible RTF formats on our website: https://bit.ly/47xDg2b
#VSBC #AnnualReport #FY202425
You can view the report in PDF and accessible RTF formats on our website: https://bit.ly/47xDg2b
#VSBC #AnnualReport #FY202425
October 30, 2025 at 1:45 AM
The Victorian Small Business Commission's Annual Report 2024-25 is now available to read online.
You can view the report in PDF and accessible RTF formats on our website: https://bit.ly/47xDg2b
#VSBC #AnnualReport #FY202425
You can view the report in PDF and accessible RTF formats on our website: https://bit.ly/47xDg2b
#VSBC #AnnualReport #FY202425
Discover what a registered trade mark could mean for your business through IP Australia’s educational trade mark journey promotion.
For more information, go to the IP Australia website: ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/news/unlock-your-business-potential
For more information, go to the IP Australia website: ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/news/unlock-your-business-potential
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Discover what a registered trade mark could mean for your business through IP Australia’s educational trade mark journey promotion.
For more information, go to the IP Australia website: ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/news/unlock-your-business-potential
For more information, go to the IP Australia website: ipaustralia.gov.au/news-and-community/news/unlock-your-business-potential
Personal use of work vehicles: does FBT apply?
If your staff use work vehicles for anything not directly related to their duties, it could result in fringe benefits tax (FBT) for your business.
For more information, visit the ATO website: https://bit.ly/4ojhgig
If your staff use work vehicles for anything not directly related to their duties, it could result in fringe benefits tax (FBT) for your business.
For more information, visit the ATO website: https://bit.ly/4ojhgig
October 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Personal use of work vehicles: does FBT apply?
If your staff use work vehicles for anything not directly related to their duties, it could result in fringe benefits tax (FBT) for your business.
For more information, visit the ATO website: https://bit.ly/4ojhgig
If your staff use work vehicles for anything not directly related to their duties, it could result in fringe benefits tax (FBT) for your business.
For more information, visit the ATO website: https://bit.ly/4ojhgig
95% of cyber incidents involve human error. Mitigate this risk by undertaking training for yourself and your staff.
Cyber Wardens is a free online program, thanks to funding from the Australian Government: learn more and enrol today by visiting cyberwardens.com.au
Cyber Wardens is a free online program, thanks to funding from the Australian Government: learn more and enrol today by visiting cyberwardens.com.au
October 20, 2025 at 3:24 AM
95% of cyber incidents involve human error. Mitigate this risk by undertaking training for yourself and your staff.
Cyber Wardens is a free online program, thanks to funding from the Australian Government: learn more and enrol today by visiting cyberwardens.com.au
Cyber Wardens is a free online program, thanks to funding from the Australian Government: learn more and enrol today by visiting cyberwardens.com.au
Do you lodge your own tax return?
If you prepare and lodge your own tax return, it’s due by 31 October.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/sbtaxreturns
If you prepare and lodge your own tax return, it’s due by 31 October.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/sbtaxreturns
Income tax return
See what you need to report and how you lodge a tax return for your business.
ato.gov.au
October 17, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Do you lodge your own tax return?
If you prepare and lodge your own tax return, it’s due by 31 October.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/sbtaxreturns
If you prepare and lodge your own tax return, it’s due by 31 October.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/sbtaxreturns
Have you read the October edition of VSBC News?
For those who missed it: https://bit.ly/4nTm8e4
To ensure you get the next edition, subscribe today: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
For those who missed it: https://bit.ly/4nTm8e4
To ensure you get the next edition, subscribe today: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
October 16, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Have you read the October edition of VSBC News?
For those who missed it: https://bit.ly/4nTm8e4
To ensure you get the next edition, subscribe today: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
For those who missed it: https://bit.ly/4nTm8e4
To ensure you get the next edition, subscribe today: https://bit.ly/3KQ8PN6
Commissioner McAlary-Smith joined Sam Hicks on her 5 Minute Business Boost Podcast to discuss how the VSBC helps business owners resolve disputes and advocates for a fair and competitive business environment.
You can listen on your favourite podcast platform, incl YouTube: https://bit.ly/494DD6A
You can listen on your favourite podcast platform, incl YouTube: https://bit.ly/494DD6A
October 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Commissioner McAlary-Smith joined Sam Hicks on her 5 Minute Business Boost Podcast to discuss how the VSBC helps business owners resolve disputes and advocates for a fair and competitive business environment.
You can listen on your favourite podcast platform, incl YouTube: https://bit.ly/494DD6A
You can listen on your favourite podcast platform, incl YouTube: https://bit.ly/494DD6A
If you are lodging online through ATO online services via myGov, you have until 31 October to submit your return. If you are planning to use a registered tax agent, you may have longer to lodge.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/whentolodge.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/whentolodge.
September 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
If you are lodging online through ATO online services via myGov, you have until 31 October to submit your return. If you are planning to use a registered tax agent, you may have longer to lodge.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/whentolodge.
For more information, go to ato.gov.au/whentolodge.
Commissioner McAlary-Smith recently contributed the perspective of small business to a panel discussion on regulatory practices in the context of climate change at the 2025 National Conference of the National Regulators Community of Practice.
September 12, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Commissioner McAlary-Smith recently contributed the perspective of small business to a panel discussion on regulatory practices in the context of climate change at the 2025 National Conference of the National Regulators Community of Practice.
R U OK Day is a reminder to check-in with others, any day.
This happens a lot in workplaces, but there's more than 500,000 Victorian small business owners without colleagues to have that chat. You'll likely know some. Take a moment to ask them 'are you ok?'
This happens a lot in workplaces, but there's more than 500,000 Victorian small business owners without colleagues to have that chat. You'll likely know some. Take a moment to ask them 'are you ok?'
September 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
R U OK Day is a reminder to check-in with others, any day.
This happens a lot in workplaces, but there's more than 500,000 Victorian small business owners without colleagues to have that chat. You'll likely know some. Take a moment to ask them 'are you ok?'
This happens a lot in workplaces, but there's more than 500,000 Victorian small business owners without colleagues to have that chat. You'll likely know some. Take a moment to ask them 'are you ok?'
We're still buzzing from Frankston Business Collective's Business Festival!
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith was delighted to have discussed risk, professional and practical advice for small business with local professional advisers.
Photo credit: James Pyne Photography.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith was delighted to have discussed risk, professional and practical advice for small business with local professional advisers.
Photo credit: James Pyne Photography.
August 28, 2025 at 1:35 AM
We're still buzzing from Frankston Business Collective's Business Festival!
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith was delighted to have discussed risk, professional and practical advice for small business with local professional advisers.
Photo credit: James Pyne Photography.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith was delighted to have discussed risk, professional and practical advice for small business with local professional advisers.
Photo credit: James Pyne Photography.
🗓️ From today the right to disconnect will apply to businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
For further details, including what's considered 'unreasonable' and how the FWC can help, please visit their website ➡️ www.fwc.gov.au
#VicSmallBiz #RightToDisconnect
For further details, including what's considered 'unreasonable' and how the FWC can help, please visit their website ➡️ www.fwc.gov.au
#VicSmallBiz #RightToDisconnect
August 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
🗓️ From today the right to disconnect will apply to businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
For further details, including what's considered 'unreasonable' and how the FWC can help, please visit their website ➡️ www.fwc.gov.au
#VicSmallBiz #RightToDisconnect
For further details, including what's considered 'unreasonable' and how the FWC can help, please visit their website ➡️ www.fwc.gov.au
#VicSmallBiz #RightToDisconnect
“Last Call for Risky Business"
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith facilitated a fun and engaging panel discussion at the Frankston & Mornington Business Festival with Matt Byrne of Day One Advisory, Brett Pomroy of Salt Legal and Nathan Rayner of Tempo Insurance.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith facilitated a fun and engaging panel discussion at the Frankston & Mornington Business Festival with Matt Byrne of Day One Advisory, Brett Pomroy of Salt Legal and Nathan Rayner of Tempo Insurance.
August 21, 2025 at 2:26 AM
“Last Call for Risky Business"
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith facilitated a fun and engaging panel discussion at the Frankston & Mornington Business Festival with Matt Byrne of Day One Advisory, Brett Pomroy of Salt Legal and Nathan Rayner of Tempo Insurance.
Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith facilitated a fun and engaging panel discussion at the Frankston & Mornington Business Festival with Matt Byrne of Day One Advisory, Brett Pomroy of Salt Legal and Nathan Rayner of Tempo Insurance.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is conducting an Inquiry into the disability services sector to better understand the experiences of those working in it. If you’re an employer or an employee in this industry, they want to hear from you.
Learn more at: fairwork.gov.au/disability-support-services-inquiry
Learn more at: fairwork.gov.au/disability-support-services-inquiry
August 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The Fair Work Ombudsman is conducting an Inquiry into the disability services sector to better understand the experiences of those working in it. If you’re an employer or an employee in this industry, they want to hear from you.
Learn more at: fairwork.gov.au/disability-support-services-inquiry
Learn more at: fairwork.gov.au/disability-support-services-inquiry
Speaking at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit, Commissioner Lynda Mcalary-Smith encouraged a small business first approach to simplifying legislation, an optimistic approach to AI as an enabler.
#COSBOA25
#COSBOA25
August 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Speaking at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit, Commissioner Lynda Mcalary-Smith encouraged a small business first approach to simplifying legislation, an optimistic approach to AI as an enabler.
#COSBOA25
#COSBOA25
Many small business owners think they're too small to be at risk of someone wanting to hack their website, computer or systems... but unfortunately that's not the case.
Free resources are available to assist you in minimising your cyber risk: visit cyber.gov.au
Free resources are available to assist you in minimising your cyber risk: visit cyber.gov.au
August 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Many small business owners think they're too small to be at risk of someone wanting to hack their website, computer or systems... but unfortunately that's not the case.
Free resources are available to assist you in minimising your cyber risk: visit cyber.gov.au
Free resources are available to assist you in minimising your cyber risk: visit cyber.gov.au