Victorian Small Business Commission

Update for Victorian retail landlords! 📜👇

From 1 July 2026, retail landlords in Victoria must provide the updated VSBC Retail Leases Information Brochure to prospective tenants at the start of new lease negotiations.

The brochure helps tenants understand:
✅ Their rights & responsibilities
✅ Key lease terms & likely costs
✅ Vital questions to ask before signing

Supporting informed decision-making at the start of the leasing process can help reduce misunderstandings and disputes, benefiting both tenants and landlords.

Landlords, get ready ahead of the deadline. Download the brochure today (available in 15 languages): vsbc.vic.gov.au/new-brochure

Interim Commissioner Symons attended the Victorian Small Business Awards where four Victorian businesses were recognised.

View the recipients at https://business.vic.gov.au/about-us/victorian-small-business-awards

Today Interim Commissioner Tim Symons brought together Small Business Friendly Councils to revisit how the VSBC can work with councils on supporting small business and to highlight some new guidance materials that'll soon be available on retail leasing and dispute resolution.

Attendees also heard from Aboriginal Economic Development in the Victorian Government's Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions on how local councils can support local Aboriginal small businesses through procurement.

New analysis from IP Australia - Official in the Australian IP Report 2026 shows businesses with intellectual property (IP) rights tend to outperform comparable firms without protection.

On average, registering a trade mark is linked to 16% higher labour productivity, while a first patent is associated with a 15% lift in production efficiency. Businesses earn around 78% higher income after registering their first trade mark, and around 43% higher income after gaining their first patent – as they scale and reach new markets.

The report also explores how international alignment and cooperation supports Australian firms to innovate, reach new markets, and participate in global value chains.
Find out more detail in IP Australia’s report: https://bit.ly/4uhNrCb

AI.gov.au: The Australian Government’s front door for AI

A new Australian Government website, AI.gov.au, is now live. AI.gov.au is the government’s front door for AI, bringing together trusted, practical guidance to help organisations understand AI, plan for its use and adopt it responsibly.

Designed with input from businesses, it provides clear starting points, tools and real‑world examples.

Explore the site at AI.gov.au.

Have you read the May edition of VSBC News?

Click to read about opportunities to safe-guard your business - both online and in person.

You'll also learn about a new business-focused resource on AI.

Read it now at https://bit.ly/49h7ZCe

Is your local council small business friendly? Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at Wyndham City Council’s Wynnovation Business Expo. Guided by the theme ‘The future is local’, the event highlighted the vital contribution small businesses make to their communities. It also reinforced the essential role that local councils and busin...

How secure is your business? 🛡️

Protecting your business from crime starts with identifying your risks. We are pleased to share a new, free interactive tool from Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, supported by RACV, designed specifically for the small business community.

Whether you’re in retail, hospitality, or professional services, the ‘How Safe Is My Business’ platform provides a customized security report tailored to your specific needs.

💡 Take the free security quiz today: https://bit.ly/3QTvH17



This image was created using generative AI Gemini and does not depict a real person or place.

It’s nearly time to lodge your fringe benefits tax (FBT) return

Have you provided perks to your employees? You may need to lodge and pay a FBT return by 21 May.

The ATO has 4 key steps you can take to help report correctly, meet your obligations and stay compliant this FBT tax time. You can find them on the ATO website or speak to a registered tax agent.

Strengthen your business's first line of defence this . 🔑

Cyber incidents can be costly for small businesses. To help you stay secure, the Victorian Government has launched an interactive password strength tester.

This simple tool gives you immediate feedback on your login credentials and shows how long it would take for a computer to crack your current password.

We encourage all Victorian small business owners to use this resource to build digital resilience and protect their data.

💡 Check your password strength here: https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/personal/password-strength-tester

'The future is local'

Today Interim Victorian Small Business Commissioner Tim Symons opened Wyndham City Council's Wynnovation Business Expo in Werribee, where he drew upon the theme of the day to encourage small businesses to join their local associations and to work with the economic development teams of local councils for tailored guidance on starting and growing their enterprise.

Tim also gave an interview with Deborah Sugirthakumar of 88.9 Wynfm Community Radio Station, which was possible thanks to the support of Gary Lally, Bismi Palatty and Joel Joseph.