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The Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) was founded in 1977 and was incorporated in 1979 as a public company limited by guarantee. COSBOA has a proud history of strong advocacy on small business issues ranging from taxation and workplace relations, through to competition law and retail tenancy. We were created by people who believed that small business needed a voice that was not also representing big business – as a result the Council of Small Business Australia is now the country’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses.
Our goals are to:
Promote and support the development of small businesses in Australia;
Advocate to advance the interests of small business in Australia, including through policy change and regulatory reform;
Foster an increased awareness and understanding of the role of small business in Australia amongst public servants and elected government officials, larger businesses, the media and the general community.
We engage our members and provide opportunities for them to influence outcomes affecting their business, and their industry. We act as a conduit for information from our members to Government and other organisations, and vice versa. A key activity for us is to facilitate introductions between member organisations and businesses with relevant customers, suppliers, service providers and regulators. Communication is the foundation of any good relationship, and we endeavour to be an active conduit for information.
We exist because small businesses don’t have the time, the resources and often the expertise that is required to be alert to the myriad of legislative and regulatory change that affects them on an ongoing basis. Our efforts are focussed on providing accurate and timely input into decisions which will affect small businesses. Our members provide essential input to ensure the quality of our representation, as well as the substance and the credibility to back it up.
Our relationship with Government is critical to ensure that we’re aware of what’s happening that might help or hinder business, and equally, to convey any new or emerging issues that need to be addressed to support the small business community .
Our goals are to:
Promote and support the development of small businesses in Australia;
Advocate to advance the interests of small business in Australia, including through policy change and regulatory reform;
Foster an increased awareness and understanding of the role of small business in Australia amongst public servants and elected government officials, larger businesses, the media and the general community.
We engage our members and provide opportunities for them to influence outcomes affecting their business, and their industry. We act as a conduit for information from our members to Government and other organisations, and vice versa. A key activity for us is to facilitate introductions between member organisations and businesses with relevant customers, suppliers, service providers and regulators. Communication is the foundation of any good relationship, and we endeavour to be an active conduit for information.
We exist because small businesses don’t have the time, the resources and often the expertise that is required to be alert to the myriad of legislative and regulatory change that affects them on an ongoing basis. Our efforts are focussed on providing accurate and timely input into decisions which will affect small businesses. Our members provide essential input to ensure the quality of our representation, as well as the substance and the credibility to back it up.
Our relationship with Government is critical to ensure that we’re aware of what’s happening that might help or hinder business, and equally, to convey any new or emerging issues that need to be addressed to support the small business community .
Overview
Location
Australia, Canberra
Employees
51-200
Phone
+61 493 364 720
Founded date
1979
Mentions in press and media 44
| Date | Title | Description |
| Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see |
| Nov 20, 2024 | SMBiT joins DSI to help develop SMB cybersecurity standard | Dynamic Standards International (DSI) has announced that SMBiT Professionals, a leading body for small and medium business (SMBs) IT service providers, has joined its Steering Committee to contribute to the development of the SMB1001 cybers... |
| Nov 8, 2024 | The Cybersecurity Conundrum: Small Businesses at Risk | In the digital age, small businesses are the backbone of the economy. They are the corner stores, the family-run cafes, and the local service providers. Yet, lurking in the shadows is a threat that could cripple these enterprises overnight:... |
| Nov 5, 2024 | The Untapped Goldmine: Australian Banks and the SME Sector | In the vast landscape of Australian banking, a golden opportunity lies buried beneath the surface. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the economy, yet banks are missing the mark. A recent report by Publicis Sapient rev... |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Julie Collins: No shame in seeking cyber support | Minister for Small Business Julie Collins during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Source: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas article-article-body Could your small business afford t... |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Join the fight against cyber crime: Enrol in Cyber Wardens training for free | Cybersecurity is now a top concern for small businesses, as rising costs put even greater pressure on their operations. Recent research by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) and the Cyber Wardens program highl... |
| Oct 18, 2024 | NSW Small Business Commissioner raises alarm over red tape and compliance costs | NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont. Source: Supplied article-article-body Small business concerns about regulatory red tape are growing faster than their fears about cash flow and falling customer demand, according to a new report... |
| Oct 14, 2024 | “People have had enough”: ATO says tax avoidance tip-offs show no signs of slowing down | Australian Taxation Office Assistant Commissioner Tony Goding. Source: Supplied article-article-body Tax avoidance tip-offs show no signs of slowing down, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says, as customers and staff blow the whistle on... |
| Oct 2, 2024 | Small businesses called to ‘stop the hack’ this Cyber Security Awareness Month | This October, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is spearheading efforts to safeguard small businesses during Cyber Security Awareness Month with the launch of its "Stop the Hack" campaign. With cyber-c... |
| Sep 23, 2024 | Opinion: Government’s sledgehammer approach to SME privacy reform needs a rethink | COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat. Source: SmartCompany. article-article-body Dismay at the government’s decision to retain the small business exemption from privacy law hints towards naivety and only highlights the costly cumulative impact of p... |
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FAQ about COSBOA
When was COSBOA founded?
COSBOA was founded in 1979.
What has the press written about COSBOA?
Parsers VC has collected 44 articles mentioning COSBOA, among them “SMBiT joins DSI to help develop SMB cybersecurity standard” (Nov 20, 2024) and “The Cybersecurity Conundrum: Small Businesses at Risk” (Nov 8, 2024).
Is COSBOA still active?
Yes, COSBOA is active; its latest activity on Parsers VC dates from Nov 7, 2025.