COSBOA Celebrates One Year of Small Business PEAK, Launches Major Year 2 Workplace Relations Compliance Research Findings

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its workplace relations flagship program, Small Business PEAK, announcing the launch of a major year two research study to measure progress and identify ongoing challenges in workplace relations compliance among Australian small businesses.

“The research comes at a critical time, when small businesses face increased regulatory burden, with over 35 significant changes to Australia's industrial relations environment in recent years that apply to small businesses just as much as to large corporations. Small business operators, who typically lack dedicated HR departments or legal resources, are struggling to keep pace with the increasingly complex workplace relations landscape.” Said COSBOA Chair Matthew Addison.

Unlike large businesses with specialist teams and substantial budgets for compliance, small businesses must navigate regulations while managing their day-to-day operations with limited capacity and resources.

“Twelve months ago, we launched Small Business PEAK in response to alarming research showing 56% of small businesses were unaware of critical IR changes,” said Addison. “Today, we’re proud to announce our year two research report to measure how Australian businesses are navigating workplace relations changes and where continued support is needed.”

The latest research reveals strong progress, but also highlights ongoing education requirements:

• Awareness of workplace relations changes has grown to 48% in 2025, up from 44% in 2024, showing continued improvement but leaving over half of small businesses still at risk of missing key updates.

• The most recognised awareness growth is Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave to 49% in 2025, up from 37% in 2024.

• Awareness of the Right to Disconnect has grown from 29% in 2024 to 45% in 2025.

• Top areas of concern remain wage compliance, understanding award obligations, and casual conversion requirements, which together account for over 60% of queries received through the PEAK chatbot.

• Small businesses continue to express strong demand for guidance, with 67% willing to use toolkits and 55% open to attending webinars or workshops.

• Early indicators suggest small businesses engaged with PEAK resources are twice as likely to take proactive compliance steps, such as updating employment contracts and policies.

“With intentional wage underpayment now a criminal offence from 1 January 2025, carrying penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, it is crucial we understand where small businesses stand on compliance readiness,” Addison said.

In its first year, Small Business PEAK delivered practical, accessible support to Australian small businesses through:

• COSBOA Roadshow Workshops delivering tailored workplace relations essentials to local business communities nationwide

• Free Digital Resources, including a multitude of toolkits providing step-by-step IR guidance

• AI-Powered IR Chatbot 24/7 access to reliable, up-to-date workplace relations answers

• Customisable Canva Tools helping small businesses create branded compliance materials

• Practical Case Studies simplifying complex legislation into clear, actionable steps

• Members’ Portal centralising support and resources in one convenient location

“Our 24/7 chatbot alone has fielded thousands of queries from busy small business owners, proving just how valuable accessible, jargon-free guidance is,” Addison added.

“Small businesses remain the engine room of our economy, but they need clear, practical support to keep up with regulatory change. This next phase of research will ensure Small Business PEAK continues to meet that need effectively,” Addison said.

To learn more about Small Business PEAK, small businesses are encouraged to visit www.smallbusinesspeak.org.au.

-ENDS-

Full Report

Click below to download the full Small Business PEAK Benchmark Research Report, Beyond Compliance: Measuring the Impact of Recent IR Changes on Small Business

Small Business PEAK Benchmark Research Report.pdf

Download PDF • 4.65MB

Media Enquiries

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact COSBOA on chair@cosboa.org.au or call 0421 553 613

Matthew Addison

Chair

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia

About COSBOA

Established in 1979, The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is a member based not-for-profit organisation exclusively representing the interests of small businesses. The capability, representation, and reach of COSBOA are defined by a mix of over 50 national and state-based members. COSBOA's strength is its capacity to harness its members' views and advance consensus across policy areas common to many.

Our member organisations work with the COSBOA team to assist us with policy development and guide our advocacy - not just for small businesses but also for the benefit of the Australians they employ. In this capacity, COSBOA makes submissions and representations to the government, including its agencies, on issues affecting small businesses and to pursue good policy.

For more information, visit www.cosboa.org.au.

Small Business PEAK continues to be funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations through the Productivity, Education and Training Fund grant program.