Welcome to the Victorian Small Business Commissioner's website

Small businesses need a competitive and fair business environment to grow, and ways to resolve disputes quickly and cheaply when they arise. That's why in 2003 the Victorian Government established the Office of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner (VSBC). The Victorian Small Business Commissioner is Geoff Browne.

The VSBC provides a quick, effective and low cost dispute resolution service for businesses in dispute with other businesses, or government.  Many disputes referred to the VSBC are resolved at no cost to either party through early engagement by experienced Dispute Management Officers.  If the dispute remains, parties are invited to attend a mediation session, with an independent, neutral mediator.  Since 2003, around 80% of mediations have been settled, avoiding the cost, delay and distraction of litigation.  For further information about mediation, click here. 

For an overview of the services available, listen to Victorian Small Business Commissioner Geoff Browne on this video, produced by the Institute of Public Accountants.  

To read an interview with Geoff Browne on the Business Victoria website, click here or to read an interview in the March/April 2013 edition of ARA Retailer magazine, click here.