We are working hard to improve the experience of small business employers accessing our services. The Small Business Hub can help you find the information you need.
As a small business employer, the most common reason for you to visit us is to respond to a claim. Our role is to help resolve issues or disputes in the workplace. We also set minimum wages and conditions, and regulate registered organisations.
We regularly deal with disputes between employers and employees that happen in the workplace. When people apply to us to deal with issues, they start a legal process. If your business is named in an application, we will contact you. It is important you respond.
We know this can be hard but we are here to help. Our staff can explain our processes and direct you to information and forms on our website. We will work with you and the other party to agree on a solution. If the issue cannot be resolved, a Commission Member may decide the outcome of the case. This decision is legally binding. See about us to learn more about our role.
What's new
The right to disconnect
The right to disconnect starts on 26 August 2025 for small business employers and their employees. Under the new right, an employee can refuse to monitor, read or respond to you outside their working hours unless their refusal is unreasonable. See What is the right to disconnect for more information.
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Understand the right to disconnect
The focus of the right to disconnect is whether the employees refusal is unreasonable. It is not about whether your contact or attempted contact is unreasonable. There are a number of things that should be considered when determining if their refusal is unreasonable. This includes things like their role and level of responsibility.
Assistance for small business
Understand how we can support you and where to find help if we can't.
What is a ‘small business’?
The law defines a small business as having fewer than 15 employees.
Types of workplace disputes
Understand the different types of disputes you can be involved in.
Respond to a claim against a business
It is important to respond and tell us your side.
Dismissal rules for small business owners
Understand what a fair dismissal process looks like.
Initiatives to help small business
The work we are doing to help small business.