Small Business Commissioner

The role of the Small Business Commissioner and CEO of the Small Business Development Corporation was established in January 2012 by the Western Australian Parliament, through the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983 (the Act), to advocate for and support Western Australia’s small business community.

The Act was amended in 2020 to clarify and enhance the powers of the Commissioner to investigate behaviours from the private sector, local government or state government that adversely impact the commercial activity of small businesses. The Commissioner can investigate a matter without the need for a formal complaint from a small business based on trends of behaviour observed in the marketplace and insights provided by government and industry.

Mr Saj Abdoolakhan commenced in May 2025 as the Small Business Commission and CEO of the SBDC, following the inaugural Commissioner and CEO, David Eaton PSM.

The Commissioner is dedicated to:

• facilitating access to information and practical support for small businesses
• providing assistance to resolve business-to-business disputes
• investigating complaints about unfair practices impacting small businesses
• advocating to all levels of government for policies and regulation which supports the establishment and growth of small businesses and improves the operating environment with a particular focus on reducing the burden of unnecessary compliance processes
• overseeing the SBDC’s dispute resolution service, a low cost way to resolve business to business and business to government disputes, avoiding court action and preserving business relationships
• offering advice to the WA Minister for Small Business
• progressing legislative and policy reforms of national significance within the National Forum of Small Business Commissioners