About Us
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner, including the Small Business Commissioner and supporting office, is a passionate supporter of Queensland small businesses.
As small businesses can take many forms, the services and support we provide to them must be tailored to individual needs.
Our vision
Our vision is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses by providing practical information, support, and assistance to help Queensland small businesses thrive.
Our promise
We will deliver our services for the betterment of all Queensland small businesses. We believe everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and important. We believe that empathy is fundamentally important to everyone’s health and happiness as well as to the success and sustainability of our services. Our services will reflect that through all our interactions with each other, our customers, and the community.
Our goals
We appreciate the unique nature of Queensland small businesses and recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. To ensure we do our best to help small businesses thrive, we will:
Deliver exceptional services
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Work empathetically with customers to connect them with the right services
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Consider each customer’s needs, discuss timeframes, and deliver on time
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Keep customers informed and honour our promises.
Ensure fairness in all we do
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Support self-agency and provide options as quickly as possible
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Use the facts, the law, and reasonably exercise our discretion
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Operate transparently and communicate decisions simply and clearly.
Provide accessible and contemporary services
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Design simple, integrated, and consistent solutions
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Change the way we work as technology evolves
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Actively listen to customers so we can continuously improve our services.
Meet the Small Business Commissioner
Dominique Lamb is an experienced stakeholder advocate.
Previously, as CEO of the National Retail Association (NRA), Dominique advocated on all areas of policy at a federal and state government level. For instance, she played an integral role in the development of the federal leasing code throughout the COVID lockdown period with industry organisations representing landlords and tenants. Before this, Dominique was Director of NRA Legal providing industrial relations and employment law advice. Dominque has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the industry with multiple awards and finalist nods.
Commissioner appointment
Dominique Lamb became the Small Business Commissioner on 23 December 2022 under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022
Statutory functions
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) commenced operation on 28 May 2020 under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 (CER Act) and transitioned to a permanent service under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022 (SBC Act) on 3 May 2022.
The main object of the SBC Act is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes involving small businesses.
The SBC Act includes 8 functions for the small business commissioner (expanded from 5 under the temporary arrangements) including:
- to provide a central point of contact in relation to matters affecting small businesses; and
- to provide information and advisory services to the public about matters relating to small businesses; and
- to assist parties in reaching an informal resolution for small business disputes, including by facilitating the exchange of information between the parties; and
- to provide alternative dispute resolution services and administer a mediation process for small business disputes; and
- to advocate on behalf of small businesses to the State, the Commonwealth, another State or a local government; or any other entity involved in administering a matter relevant to small businesses; and
- to work collaboratively with the equivalent of the commissioner in other States or the Commonwealth to enhance conditions for small businesses; and
- to perform functions conferred on the commissioner under another Act; and
- to carry out other activities to further the objects of this Act, as directed by the Minister.
The QSBC provides a range of services to small businesses under the Small Business Commissioner Act 2022 including providing information, support and assistance.
The QSBC also has jurisdiction of retail tenancy disputes and related mediations under the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (RSL Act).
Statutory decisions
Annual reports
Directions from the Minister
Under the SBC Act, the Minister may give the commissioner a direction in writing. All directions will be published here:
- No directions have been given to the Commissioner by the Minister at this time.
