COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2025: Boosting productivity, simplifying policy and strengthening tomorrow

Australia’s small business leaders gathered in Melbourne on 19–20 August 2025 for the COSBOA National Small Business Summit, the nation’s premier policy event for the sector. Emceed by Ashleigh Raper, Channel 10 Network Political Editor, the Summit brought together political leaders, regulators, commissioners, entrepreneurs, industry experts, association leaders and small business advocates to debate the big issues and set the agenda for the year ahead.

Over two days, participants discussed boosting productivity, simplifying policy and strengthening tomorrow for small business. Topics ranged from state-by-state economic insights and regulatory reform to innovation, cyber security and the future of health and care – with every session showcasing the adaptability and determination of the small business community.

Crucially, this year’s Summit provided a platform for diverse voices; trailblazing female founders, independent crossbench MPs, and Australia’s regulators all took to the stage. Delegates heard from government representatives on both sides of politics – including Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP and Shadow Minister for Small Business, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Employment, The Hon. Tim Wilson MP – underscoring the bipartisan recognition of the sector’s importance.

The two days of robust debate, candid storytelling and practical takeaways at the Summit reaffirmed that small business is the engine room of Australia’s economy. The clear call to policymakers was for smarter, simpler and more supportive policy settings to secure a profitable future for the millions of Australians who own and work in small businesses. 

Day 1 – Tuesday 19 August 2025

Day One opened with a welcome from The Hon. Natalie Suleyman, Victorian Minister for Small Business and Employment, Minister for Veterans, and Minister for Youth. Minister Suleyman praised the 718,000 small businesses, employing over 1.3 million Victorians and contributing over $417 billion annually to the state’s economy.

Minister Suleyman also acknowledged significant challenges facing small organisations: burdensome red tape, rising costs, and emerging risks from artificial intelligence and cyber security.

She outlined that there are more than 40 Victorian government initiatives to make doing business “simpler and smarter” – from reducing duplication and removing unnecessary permits to lifting the payroll tax threshold to $1 million (saving businesses over $14,000 annually). Planning approval times have been cut by 30%, accelerating new business activity and investment. The Minister referred to the support for enterprises facing cyber threats with free advice and training available through Business Victoria. Her message was clear: “small business is about people, families and productivity”, and governments must continue finding innovative ways to back small and family businesses into the future.

Session 1: State of Play – Small Business Across the Map

Facilitated by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, the first panel brought together state and territory small business commissioners and advocates, offering a unique national perspective on regional challenges and opportunities. Insights from the panel included:

• Catherine Ellis (NSW), shared results from a monthly survey of 500 small businesses showing low confidence, particularly in regional NSW. Rising costs, cash flow, staffing and customer demand remain the biggest pain points. She pressed the need for simplicity and tailored policy that reflect the diverse communities.

  
  

• Saj Abdoolakhan (WA), highlighted challenges in regional WA, from mining towns to tourism, underlined the need to reduce repetition in processes and introduced the Small Business Family Program, a one-stop shop for information.

  
  

• Dominique Lamb (QLD), pointed to feedback from 405 submissions on Queensland’s election commitment process, with small businesses calling out government customer service frustrations such as delays in callbacks and unclear processes.

  
  

• Lynda McAlary-Smith (VIC), conveyed Victoria’s strong growth opportunities and promoted a place-based approach with councils to celebrate local business. She drew attention to technology as mission-critical for future competitiveness.

  
  

• Dan van Holst Pellekaan (SA), spoke about the regulatory burden, labour shortages and opportunities in key industries such as hospitality, reinforcing the importance of services that save businesses stress, time and money.

  
  

• Stuart Clues (TAS), discussed new initiatives such as a 12-month start-up business permit and called for greater empathy from regulators, noting the importance of industry expertise when establishing rules.

Despite the regional differences, all the speakers agreed on the core needs of small businesses: cut red tape, improve government responsiveness, and ensure policies are simpler, smarter and more supportive of resilience and growth. There was a clear call for governments at every level to “do better” for small businesses by streamlining interactions and reducing unnecessary burdens.

Session 2: The Future Economy

In this session leading economic experts examined the structural trends shaping the future of small business in Australia, with productivity emerging as the central theme. Facilitator Robert Tedesco, American Express, guided the discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead with Stephen Walters, Optimal Economics and Alex Robson, Productivity Commission.

Stephen Walters stated that without a lift in productivity, living standards and wages will remain flat, with economic growth capped at around 2%. He urged moving beyond rhetoric to practical reforms across tax, industrial relations and government spending. Walters also stressed the importance of small businesses staying connected to industry bodies to remain informed and resilient.

Alex Robson flagged Australia’s stagnant productivity levels, warning that output per hour has barely shifted in a decade. He pointed to underinvestment, regulatory complexity and global trade risks – including tariffs and potential trade wars – as key threats. Robson called for smarter tax policy, less red tape and a balanced approach to AI regulation, allowing the technology to deliver genuine productivity gains.

Together, the economists reinforced that improving productivity is the single most important driver of future prosperity. Smarter regulation, effective tax reform, and fit-for-purpose technology policies will be crucial to enable small businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. If Australia can address the productivity puzzle by cutting complexity and encouraging investment and innovation, then small businesses will be in a position to drive stronger economic and wage growth in the years ahead.

Shadow Minister for Small Business

The Hon. Tim Wilson MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Shadow Minister Industrial Relations and Employment, outlined his vision for small business, focusing on industrial relations, employment and cutting through red tape. He acknowledged the reality of insolvencies, difficulties accessing finance, and thin profit margins, pressing the need for practical policy that reflects small business realities.

Wilson announced a series of Shadow Ministerial inquiries into key pressure points: small business impact of the family savings tax on unrealised capital gains, impact of ATO debt on small business, and limits on small business into government and large company procurement. These inquiries will invite submissions and testimony from small businesses, ensuring their voices and experiences directly inform future policy agendas. His pledge was one of advocacy and action: “I want to stand up for you. To drive an agenda for you,” Wilson told the Summit. He added that small businesses should be focused on their growth, not meeting the growth of government revenue.

Wilson positioned small business as central to Australia’s future economy, presenting guiding principles for his role over the next three years to focus on growth over government revenue, reduce red and time tape, ensure obligations are proportionate, support an open, competitive economy, and enable procurement pathways that prefer small business.

Session 3: Trailblazers & Game-Changers – The Female Founders

Facilitated by Dr Rachel Howard, 89 Degrees East, this session featured female founders Alex Cannizzaro, Hailey Brown and Rosie Dumbrell, all previous Enterprising ME Kickstarter Challenge winners. They shared candid stories about building their businesses and highlighted the barriers still faced by women in entrepreneurship and the opportunities for reform to support the next generation.

• Alex Cannizzaro, Platform Zero, explained how her business is digitising the fresh produce industry and replacing outdated systems with data-driven solutions. Cannizzaro said winning the Kickstarter award gave her instant credibility, but red tape and investor traction remain major hurdles.

  
  

• Hailey Brown, Vacayit, reflected on the funding challenges faced by women, noting that while women create around 22% of start-ups, only a fraction receive investment. She asserted that gender inequality is holding back Australia’s economic potential and called for long-term strategies to support female entrepreneurs so they can scale and remain in Australia, rather than having to look overseas for opportunities.

  
  

• Rosie Dumbrell, Everform Therapywear, shared her journey in women’s health innovation, noting the challenge of gaining investment and clinical validation. She pointed out the importance of supportive communities, partnerships in AI technology, and long-term goals including TGA approval and health fund rebates.

  
  

The panel underscored common struggles around funding, credibility and regulatory barriers, while showcasing the innovation and resilience of female founders. Their message was clear: cultural change, better policy and greater access to capital are essential for supporting women-led businesses.

Q&A: Building Partnerships with Business and Banks

This Q&A session explored why building strong, trust-based partnerships between banks and small businesses is critical for growth. Jos de Bruin, COSBOA Board Director, was joined by Rebecca Warren, Executive General Manager of Small Business Banking at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), who defined small business for CBA as those with up to $3 million in turnover or $1 million in lending, and noted efforts to create a single definition and central point of navigation for customers.

She praised the resilience and optimism of small business owners, reiterated CBA’s support for regulatory relief, and pointed to opportunities in productivity reform, instant asset write-offs (IAWOs), and improved access to capital. Warren closed by calling for greater collaboration between the banking sector and business community to fuel entrepreneurialism in Australia, suggesting that when banks and businesses work in partnership, it’s a win-win for economic growth.

Q&A: In Conversation with the RBA on Payments

The next Q&A featured Ellis Connolly, Head of Payments Policy at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), who joined Simon Foster, COSBOA Board Director, to discuss the RBA’s current review of the national payments system and what it could mean for small business. Connolly noted that every five years the RBA reviews payment regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose, and a new consultation paper was released in July 2025.

Connolly outlined three major proposals under consideration: abolishing merchant payment surcharges, reducing interchange fees for small businesses (a change estimated to save merchants around $1.2 billion annually), and improving transparency across the payments system. He explained that surcharges made sense years ago when card payments were less common and payment systems were expensive to run; however, now 75% of all payments are made by card and the systems are less costly to run, making those extra fees outdated. He made clear that stakeholder feedback – especially from small businesses – is critical in shaping the final recommendations. If the industry doesn’t voluntarily remove obsolete surcharges and cost burdens, the RBA could recommend legislative action to enforce changes.

Through its review, the RBA seeks to address issues in the current surcharging framework, marking a major step towards fairer and more efficient transactions.

Session 5: Beyond the Major Parties – Independent MPs and Policy

This session, facilitated by Denita Wawn, Chief Executive Officer of Master Builders Australia and COSBOA Board Director, and featuring The Hon. Dr Monique Ryan MP, Independent Member for Kooyong, and The Hon. Dr Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi, and explored the critical role independents play in shaping small business policy in Canberra.

Ryan highlighted how independents bring lived experience and close community connection into policymaking, ensuring that the voices of small businesses are represented. She shared feedback from her electorate on cost of doing business pressures, energy prices, red tape and the definition of small business, calling for simpler, more responsive regulation that reflects small business realities.

Haines pointed to her success in progressing 16 pieces of legislation as an independent, proving that crossbench MPs can deliver tangible change. She highlighted the challenges faced by regional businesses, particularly workforce shortages, skill gaps and housing availability, all of which limit small business growth in rural areas.

Both Ryan and Haines reinforced that independents play a vital role in amplifying community concerns and driving inclusive, pragmatic policymaking that supports small businesses across Australia.

Summit Gala Dinner – Minister Address by The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP 

The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, reminded us that small business must be built-in, not bolted on, when it comes to shaping policy and regulation.

She outlined three priority areas for government:

• Easing pressures on small business

• Levelling the playing field

• Enabling growth and resilience without adding complexity

Productivity was front and centre in her remarks, highlighting the need to reduce paperwork and streamline systems across jurisdictions, alongside classic levers like education, skills, innovation, infrastructure and R&D.

Importantly, Aly called for tangible, practical examples from small businesses to cut through the “layer cake” of regulation – moving beyond the headline of red tape to understand its real-world impacts.

She also reiterated the government’s focus on:

• Reducing regulatory burden at all levels of government

• Supporting resilience in the face of natural disasters and cyber threats

• Enabling digital adoption, including safe and sustainable use of AI

• Ensuring procurement and competition policies give small business a fair go

As a former small business owner herself, she understands the passion, identity and hard work behind every venture – and the weight of navigating unnecessary complexity.

Aly left with a clear challenge: don’t lose the momentum of the COSBOA Summit – take the ideas, examples and energy from these discussions and put them into action.

Day 2 – Wednesday 20 August 2025

Session 6: Rules, Regulations & Red Tape

Day Two opened with a powerhouse panel of Australia’s regulators, facilitated by Lynda McAlary-Smith, Victorian Small Business Commissioner, who underlined the importance of ongoing engagement between regulators and the small business community.

The theme of the panel was how to make compliance easier and regulation more effective for small businesses in the year ahead. The panelists provided updates from their respective key regulatory domain.

Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman, spoke about recent changes including casual employment pathways and the introduction of criminal jurisdiction. She explained the importance of advocacy for businesses where English is not the first language spoken and committed to simplifying regulatory language and content to make compliance easier.

Kate O’Rourke, Commissioner at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), outlined ASIC’s efforts to reduce complexity and make compliance easier through practical resources, small business roadshows, and a new dedicated small business manager. She also discussed progress on digital IDs and registry reforms, noting that full implementation is expected by 2027.

Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), drove home the need for payment discipline and compliance, referencing the ‘Getting it Right’ campaign and emphasised the need to tailor support to individual business circumstances to make compliance easier.

Peter Crone, Commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), focused on competition, scams and the importance of healthy markets for small businesses. He noted the ACCC’s growing role in digital identity regulation, its work on false billing scams, and the need for fair franchise contracts to ensure profitability for small operators.

The regulators collectively asserted simplification, transparency and ongoing engagement with small businesses is needed, with a shared commitment to making compliance easier and regulation more effective in supporting growth.

Session 7: AI, Policy & Productivity

With artificial intelligence transforming how businesses operate, this session brought together tech and policy leaders to discuss how small businesses can harness AI to boost productivity, cut costs, and stay compliant in an evolving landscape. 

Simon Foster, COSBOA Board Director, moderated this session featuring Sarah Carney, Director of Digital Strategy, Microsoft, Natalie Piucco, Google Chief Technologist, Amanda Hutton, Group Executive, Telstra Business, and Will Harris, Chief Operating Officer, COSBOA. The panel explored how artificial intelligence can help small businesses boost productivity, reduce costs and stay compliant. 

Sarah Carney explained that AI is already part of everyday tools, for example: spell check and design suggestions, however, generative AI has taken centre stage. Microsoft is focused on building trusted, localised tools such as Australian CoPilot, ensuring cultural context and minimising bias. She encouraged businesses to embrace creativity and critical thinking to maximise AI’s potential.

Natalie Piucco outlined Google’s long-standing use of AI in products such as Maps and Gmail, noting that new tools can help small businesses save time and engage customers. From suggested responses to online customer reviews, to creative support through Gemini, she highlighted the real outcomes that become possible, such as small organisations saving up to 10 working days annually. Piucco called for technology-agnostic regulation to balance innovation and data protection.

Amanda Hutton shared how Telstra is using AI for network resilience, scam prevention and productivity. She spotlighted security, governance and practical case studies – from generating content to automating compliance checks – showing how small businesses are evolving and becoming more efficient.

Will Harris called for the need to simplify the fragmented AI landscape for small business. He advocated for practical workshops to help owners identify the right tools and to solve pain points such as taking meeting minutes or reducing time spent on red tape.

The panel reinforced that AI should be seen as an assistant, not a replacement. With a “human in the loop” approach business leaders remaining in control, using AI to eliminate repetitive tasks and free up time for creativity, strategy and growth. Trusted tools, clear guidance and thoughtful regulation can ensure AI supports, rather than overwhelms, small businesses.

Demo: Navigating workplace relations: COSBOA’s Small Business PEAK hub and chatbot

Mike Sommerton, Head - Industrial Relations, COSBOA, launched Small Business PEAK 2.0 during the Summit, offering additional value for COSBOA members and the wider small business community. New features include white-labelling through Canva, animated video content on the Right to Disconnect, and a new Small Business Advisor Chatbot – an advanced AI tool giving members on-demand workplace relations guidance.

Session 8: Small Business, Big Threats – Cyber Risks

Facilitated by Alister Jordan, CEO of 89 Degrees East, this panel featured Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC, National Cyber Security Coordinator, Amanda Linton, CEO, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), Annie Gibbins, CEO, Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS), Robert Mallett, Executive Officer, Tasmanian Small Business Council, and Anja Pannek, CEO, Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA). The discussion explored the growing cyber threats facing small businesses and practical strategies to strengthen resilience.

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC revealed that one cyber incident is reported every six minutes, with costs to small businesses reaching up to $50,000 per breach. She urged owners to take simple, effective measures such as multi-factor authentication, strong passphrases and regular software updates, pressing that size is no protection and collaboration is vital in threat reporting.

Amanda Linton underlined the importance of protecting financial data, warning of invoice interception risks. She called for adoption of e-invoicing and greater use of cyber insurance to mitigate the financial impact of breaches.

Annie Gibbins spoke about the need to educate practitioners on the risks of cyber attacks, particularly in protecting sensitive client data. She observed that many business owners underestimate cyber risks while focusing on start-up pressures.

Robert Mallett highlighted the importance of improving cyber literacy, teaching small businesses to detect irregularities and building a prevention mindset rather than assuming immunity.

Anja Pannek warned of increasingly sophisticated scams such as payment redirections and impersonations. She underlined the need for constant education and suggested embedding cyber security requirements into annual compliance frameworks.

The panel agreed that cyber security is not optional – it’s now a core part of business resilience. Small businesses must adopt simple protective measures and foster a culture of awareness. By embracing ongoing education and cross-industry collaboration, owners can better safeguard their data, protect customers, and maintain trust in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Session 9: Small Business at the Frontline – Health & Care Policy

Led by Ann Davey, CEO, Massage & Myotherapy Australia and COSBOA Board

Director, this session explored how major reforms in health and care – such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and aged Home Care packages – are affecting small providers. The panel also tackled the critical importance of mental health support for small business owners themselves. Panelists Georgie Harman, CEO of Beyond Blue, Bridgit Hogan, CEO of the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA), and Jodie Long, CEO of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC), brought a mix of policy and on-the-ground perspectives.

Georgie Harman insisted that productivity must be given a human face, arguing that good mental health is central to business success. She highlighted the NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program, which offers eight free coaching sessions with professionals who understand the pressures of running a small business.

Bridgit Hogan shared how advocacy preserved music therapy’s place in the NDIS registry after it was initially threatened with removal, reiterating the importance of consultation and codesign to avoid disruption for participants and providers.

Jodie Long reasserted the need for genuine consultation with providers, warning that small businesses in the care sector are often “consol-told” rather than consulted. She called for system-wide thinking and stronger recognition of provider expertise in shaping policy.

The session underscored that health and care reforms must be codesigned with industry experts and providers; genuine consultation is essential to ensure reforms strengthen rather than weaken small businesses in the sector.

Session 10: Media Panel – From Newsroom to Boardroom

The final panel of the Summit turned the focus to media and advocacy hearing from David Adams, Senior Business Journalist at SmartCompany, Ashleigh Raper, Network Political Editor at Channel 10, and facilitated by Andrew Ngeow, Board Director at COSBOA and WA Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Discussions explored how news coverage shapes small business policy and public perception.

David Adams noted that while government policy is steady, the media cycle thrives on human stories and relatable case studies. He encouraged small businesses and associations to pitch authentic narratives, adding that AI and tax reform will be key topics in the months ahead.

Ashleigh Raper highlighted the need for associations to maintain a bank of spokespeople to provide fresh perspectives. She remarked that while small business is not always front of mind in government messaging, grassroots voices can keep issues such as housing and regulation in focus.

All three on stage agreed that effective media engagement relies on authenticity, preparation and timing. The media isn’t looking for ‘spin’ – they want real voices and evidence of impact. It was a call for the sector to be proactive; an open invitation for strong small business voices to help bring policy issues to life in the public arena.

Closing Remarks

The COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2025 concluded with closing remarks from Bruce Billson, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, who urged delegates to embrace a growth mindset that creates wealth and opportunity for the next generation. He reminded the audience that 93% of Australian businesses are small enterprises and called for collective action to ‘electrify’ their contribution to the economy.

Billson reflected on the key themes of the two days – from red tape and workplace relations to access to finance, tax, technology, cyber security and health. He brought the conversation back to the core purpose of advocacy for the sector: supporting the people behind the small businesses. Acknowledging the heavy burden and fatigue many owners carry, he reiterated that momentum is the most powerful force to drive change.

The 2025 Summit closed with a strong call to action. Across two days, leaders and experts echoed that productivity, simplification and resilience must remain the guiding principles for policy. With clearer settings, reduced red tape and stronger support for innovation, small businesses are ready to strengthen tomorrow and secure a profitable future for all Australians.

In the words of COSBOA and its Summit delegates, it’s time to make small business policy “simpler, smarter, stronger” – and to turn the optimism and ideas from the Summit into action in the year ahead. 

COSBOA extends its sincere thanks to the Summit’s sponsors and partners whose support made the event possible. Their commitment to Australia’s small business community ensures that this vital platform for conversation on productivity, policy and resilience continues. Because of their support, the Summit brought together diverse voices to deliver meaningful insights that will shape the future of small businesses across the nation.

Watch out for the 2026 Summit announcements via www.cosboansbs.com.au.