Do I have a dispute?
Types of disputes the VSBC can help resolve
Business disputes are conflicts arising from a commercial agreement between businesses or between business and government. Some examples are:
- a disagreement about a contract
- a supplier not paying on time
- a supplier providing faulty goods or services
- a website design not meeting the requirements of the business
- a small business dissatisfied about being excluded from taking part in government procurement
- a disagreement between smash repairers and insurance companies about the cost of repairs
- repairs and maintenance, for example, a landlord not fixing a leaking roof
- a landlord withholding the security deposit at the end of a lease.
The VSBC dispute resolution service includes:
- Free preliminary help: The VSBC provides information to people in small business on their rights and responsibilities under relevant legislation to help them avoid or resolve disputes. Information is provided via the VSBC website and resources, telephone, email and face-to-face information sessions. These services are available at no cost.
- Free pre-mediation assistance: When you apply for our help to resolve a dispute, a dispute resolution officer will initially engage with both parties, helping them to negotiate a pragmatic resolution. If the dispute can’t be resolved this way, the dispute resolution officer will explain the benefits of mediation to the parties and encourage them to take part. This avoids the costly, time consuming and emotional process of litigation.
- Low-cost mediation: The timely, low cost resolution of a dispute through mediation can maintain a business relationship to let the parties quickly get back to business. Each party to mediation pays only $300 towards the cost of the mediation, which is otherwise subsidised by the VSBC. Mediations can also be held via videoconference to meet parties’ needs.
For disputes under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011 (FDMA) and the CPVIA, the VSBC’s role is to arrange and conduct mediation. For information on taxis, hire cars and rideshare disputes, contact Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria.
The VSBC offers mediation under the CPVIA when Commercial Passenger Vehicle Victoria issues a certificate referring the matter to VSBC mediation.
The VSBC can help you with a dispute in the following areas:
- General business disputes under the Small Business Commission Act 2017
- Disputes between retail tenants and landlords under the Retail Leases Act 2003
- Disputes between owner drivers or forestry contractors and hirers under the ODFCA
- Disputes between farmers and their creditors under the FDMA
- Disputes between drivers and operators under the CPVIA
Other agencies that can help
We provide information and guidance on a range of topics – from retail leasing obligations to how we can help resolve commercial disputes.
For some issues, there are other government agencies and departments that are best placed to assist. To help you find the most appropriate contact, see our information on:
