We are currently experiencing delays in responding to the high volume of enquiries and applications we are receiving for our help. Please know that we are working as quickly as we can to respond and that could take up to 20 weeks.
Please note that our mediation fees have increased for applications received from 1 September 2023.
Help to resolve a commercial dispute
The people that the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) help include small business owners, commercial tenants and landlords, owner drivers and hirers, farmers and creditors as well as taxi drivers and operators.
Help includes free, specialised assistance early on. If the matter can’t be sorted this way, we can arrange for low-cost mediation where an experienced mediator helps you and the other party to negotiate a fair agreement.
You can apply for our help via our online help portal. Applying is where you fill in a form, explaining your dispute and what you are seeking, and submit it to us.
Before applying, please read our dispute resolution process. If you are a tenant applying for help to resolve a retail tenancy dispute, please make sure you have the full details of your landlord, as this information will be required (part C of the application form).
Making a request
Our help portal is also where:
- owner drivers and forestry and haulage contractors can request a waiver certificate (to waive the minimum period of notice of termination)
- commercial tenants and landlords can request the appointment of a specialist retail valuer (please note the requirements before making a request).
Professional advice
Because the VSBC doesn’t provide legal or other professional advice, we recommend that you consider getting this advice from a suitably qualified and experienced person (e.g. a lawyer, an accountant). This might be helpful and important before and during the dispute resolution process.
More information
If you have any questions about how we can help, call us on 1800 878 964 or through the Translating and Interpreting Service.
Accessing our forms
- Five year waiver certificates for retail leases
- For all other forms and requests, access the help portal.