The Office of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner (VSBC) is an independent office established by the Victorian Government to assist small business.

Public practitioners and their clients may find the VBSC beneficial as it has a wide range of functions and is dedicated to promoting a competitive and fair operating environment for small business.
 
As well as informing and educating small business, the VSBC has extensive powers to mediate disputes relating to:

• business to business disputes, under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2003
• landlord and tenant disputes under the Retail Leases Act 2003
• owner driver, forestry contractor and hirer disputes under the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act 2005

A dispute is referred to the commissioner by a business submitting an application, which details the issues and parties involved. When all parties agree to mediation, the commissioner appoints a mediator and the VSBC arranges the date, time and venue. The venue can be in a regional location.
 
The mediation is confidential and, where unsuccessful, the parties may pursue the matter through traditional court processes.

The VSBC offers a low cost mediation service. Current costs are detailed on the VSBC website.

As part of its information and education services, the VSBC has available a copy of a study, Forming and maintaining winning business relationships.

VSBC is located at level 2, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.

Further information

• visit the VSBC website
• call the Victorian Business Line on 13 22 15 or toll free on 1800 136 034.
• call +61 3 9651 9316 for general and investigation enquiries