A range of other organisations provide information and services to help small businesses and farmers with banking and financial issues.

Help to resolve a complaint

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)

If you have a complaint you haven’t been able to resolve with your bank directly, AFCA may be able to assist. AFCA provides free, accessible and independent help to resolve disputes between customers, including small business customers, and their banks.

Help if you’re in financial difficulty

Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)

Rural financial counsellors provide free and impartial rural financial counselling to primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses that are suffering financial hardship. Freecall 1300 771 741 to speak to a rural financial counsellor near you.

Legal assistance

National Legal Aid

Legal Aid services provide free, independent and confidential legal assistance, particularly for people who are disadvantaged.

  • NSW Freecall 1300 888 529
  • VIC Freecall 1300 792 387
  • QLD Freecall 1300 651 188
  • WA Freecall 1300 650 579
  • SA Freecall 1300 366 424
  • TAS Freecall 1300 366 611
  • ACT Freecall 1300 654 314
  • NT Freecall 1800 019 343

Small business dispute resolution and advocacy organisations

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO)

ASBFEO advocates for small businesses and family enterprises an assists them in disputes with other businesses or Commonwealth Government agencies. Call the Helpline on 1300 650 460.

National Farmers’ Federation (NFF)

NFF is the peak national body that represents farmers, and agriculture more broadly, across Australia. It developed FarmHub, a one-stop shop for farmer support and assistance in all states and territories, including for drought, farm management decisions and personal health.

NSW Small Business Commissioner

The NSW Small Business Commissioner provides effective and low-cost dispute resolution services for small business, including advice. Call the Helpline on 1300 795 534.

Victorian Small Business Commission

The Victorian Small Business Commission provides effective and low-cost dispute resolution services for small business, including farm debt mediation. Call the Helpline on 13 VSBC (13 8722).

Small Business Commissioner South Australia

The Small Business Commissioner SA provides effective and low-cost dispute resolution services for small business, providing advice and facilitating farm debt mediation. Call the Helpline on 1800 072 722.

Small Business Development Corporation (Western Australia)

The Small Business Development Corporation (WA) is promotes, facilitates and assists the development of small business. It provides a dispute resolution service and subsidised mediation. Call the Helpline on 13 12 49.

Business Tasmania

Business Tasmania answers business-related queries and offers programs and grants for small businesses. Phone 1800 440 026.

Innovate Canberra (ACT)

Innovate Canberra offers a variety of programs, including advisory, grant funding and trade and export programs for ACT-based businesses. Call the Helpline on 13 22 81.

Department of Trade, Business and Innovation (Northern Territory)

The Department of Trade, Business and Innovation develops and supports business growth and sustainability. Call the Helpline on 1800 256 923.

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)

COSBOA promotes and supports the development of small businesses in Australia.

Government and regulators

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

ASIC is Australia’s independent corporate regulator. It regulates banks and enforces company and financial services laws and consumer protections.

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

The OAIC is Australia’s national data protection authority. It investigates some privacy complaints.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

The ACCC is that national competition and consumer regulator. It can provide small businesses with general information about rights and obligations under the law, and runs a Small Business Information Network.

Call the Helpline on 1300 302 021.

Industry bodies

Australian Banking Association (ABA)

The ABA is the industry body for the banks. Its website has useful information on the banking industry, the Banking Code of Practice, consumer issues and banks’ contact details.