About us
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC), including the Small Business Commissioner and supporting office, is a passionate supporter of Queensland small businesses.
The QSBC provides a range of services for small businesses under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022 focussed on enhancing the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and reducing the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small businesses.
Our vision
An operating environment that helps Queensland small businesses thrive.
Our promise
We will deliver our services for the betterment of all Queensland small businesses. We believe everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and important. We believe that empathy is fundamentally important to everyone’s health and happiness as well as to the success and sustainability of our services. Our services will reflect that through all our interactions with each other, small businesses, stakeholders, and the community.
Our goals
We appreciate the unique nature of Queensland small businesses and recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. To ensure we do our best to help small businesses thrive, we will:
Be dedicated to our vision
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Support self-agency and provide options as quickly as possible
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Provide factual insights and act reasonably within our functions
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Operate transparently and communicate simply and clearly.
Deliver empathetic services
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Provide empathetic services and support all people
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Consider individual needs, discuss timeframes, and deliver on time
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Keep people informed and honour our promises.
Provide practical solutions
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Design simple, integrated, and practical solutions
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Change the way we work as technology evolves
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Actively listen so we can continuously improve our services.
Meet the Small Business Commissioner
Dominique Lamb
is an experienced stakeholder advocate.
Previously, as CEO of the National Retail Association (NRA), Dominique advocated on all areas of policy at a federal and state government level. For instance, she played an integral role in the development of the federal leasing code throughout the COVID lockdown period with industry organisations representing landlords and tenants. Before this, Dominique was Director of NRA Legal providing industrial relations and employment law advice. Dominque has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the industry with multiple awards and finalist nods.
Commissioner appointment
Dominique Lamb became the Small Business Commissioner on 23 December 2022 under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022.
Statutory functions
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) commenced operation on 28 May 2020 under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 (CER Act) and transitioned to a permanent service under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022 (SBC Act) on 3 May 2022.
The main object of the SBC Act is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small businesses.
The SBC Act includes 8 functions for the small business commissioner (expanded from 5 under the temporary arrangements) including:
- to provide a central point of contact in relation to matters affecting small businesses; and
- to provide information and advisory services to the public about matters relating to small businesses; and
- to assist parties in reaching an informal resolution for small business disputes, including by facilitating the exchange of information between the parties; and
- to provide alternative dispute resolution services and administer a mediation process for small business disputes; and
- to advocate on behalf of small businesses to the State, the Commonwealth, another State or a local government; or any other entity involved in administering a matter relevant to small businesses; and
- to work collaboratively with the equivalent of the commissioner in other States or the Commonwealth to enhance conditions for small businesses; and
- to perform functions conferred on the commissioner under another Act; and
- to carry out other activities to further the objects of this Act, as directed by the Minister.
The QSBC provides a range of services for small businesses under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022 including raising awareness, sharing information, advocacy, and providing support and assistance.
The QSBC also has jurisdiction of retail tenancy disputes and related mediations under the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (RSL Act).
The Small Business Commissioner may make certain decisions under the SBC Act 2022.
Annual reports
Statutory decisions
Statement of Expectations
Directions from the Minister
Under the SBC Act 2022, the Minister may give the commissioner a direction in writing.
Customer testimonials
ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE: SKILLED MEDIATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
“Many thanks for all your assistance and achieving an agreed outcome.
I would not have thought it possible but certainly highly skilled, professional facilitation, mediation, and a willingness by both parties for a mutual satisfactory outcome. So very well done!
Many thanks to all!”
Retail shop owner locked out of premises
LEASING DISPUTE SUPPORT
“QSBC have been helping me navigate a very emotional stressful upheaval in my life…
I just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff at QSBC. I have been treated with kindness, support and empathy.
They are truly the right people for their jobs. Thank you.”
Café owner with a leasing dispute
PROVIDING INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE SUPPORT
“You are amazing at what you do, thank you ever so much! Regardless of the outcome the fact that you are helping me is overwhelming and muchly appreciated.”
Leisure activity small business owner experiencing financial hardship
FEEDBACK FROM MEDIATOR
“Congratulations on having your appointment being made permanent so you can keep up the great work, it’s the best Christmas present the people of Queensland could have hoped for!
Even if they don’t know it yet and the work you and your office does has a direct and positive impact on a huge number of people and that impact naturally flows on to others around them. From the call centre operators up, everyone has been unfailingly helpful, professional, and pleasant to deal with; and the net result is that your office is a pleasure to deal with, and amazingly efficient.”
Mediator
SIMPLIFYING SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO FLOOD AFFECTED BUSINESSES
“I’m sure the small businesses are very appreciative of the work done by your office to simplify the support available which, as you say, is a great deal of information to comprehend.”
Chief Executive Officer of a major property management group
ADVOCATING FOR SMALL BUSINESS AT NATIONAL LEVEL REGARDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES
“Thank you for meeting with us recently to discuss the recommendations of the Patents Accessibility Review (‘PAR’) on arbitration services for patent disputes. My team and I are grateful for the views and experience you and your colleague Luke shared with us during our meeting.
These discussions will help inform the [Australian] Government’s decisions regarding the recommendations.”
Senior Executive of a federal government agency