The Western Australian Small Business Commissioner is committed to improving the operating environment for small business owners.

The Commissioner, supported by the Small Business Development Corporation, will investigate behaviours from the private sector, State Government or local government bodies, that adversely impact the commercial activity of small businesses, including subcontractors.

What are adverse behaviours against small business?

Behaviours that can disadvantage small businesses include:

  • systemic late payments
  • non-payment
  • unfair contract terms or a breach of contract
  • green washing (Making something seem better for the environment than it really is. This can apply to a single product or sometimes an entire business model.)
  • black cladding (The practice of a non-Aboriginal business taking unfair advantage of an Aboriginal business entity or individual for the purpose of gaining access to otherwise inaccessible Aboriginal procurement policies or contracts.)
  • any other unethical or improper conduct that negatively affects a small business.

The person making the report does not need to identify themselves, or to make a formal complaint, for the Small Business Commissioner to determine that a matter requires investigation.

Safe2Say - Anonymous reporting platform

Safe2Say is powered by CrimeStoppersWA but monitored and actioned by SBDC investigators during standard business hours. It provides a platform to anonymously report behaviours of other organisations against a small business.

Safe2Say allows you to:

  1. make an anonymous report about conduct that you believe is having an adverse impact upon small businesses in WA.
  2. continue to communicate anonymously with the SBDC as the matter progresses.
  3. Use the ‘Follow up’ function to monitor the status of your report without revealing your identity.

Important

Please note this reporting platform is for small business owners to report adverse behaviours affecting them.

Complaints from customers should be directed to Consumer Protection and employee issues with FairWork (national industrial relations system) or the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (state industrial relations system).

What can the Commissioner do with your report?

The Commissioner, supported by the SBDC’s experienced investigators, will undertake a preliminary assessment of your report to determine what action may be taken, and by whom. The SBDC may refer your report to another authority if that authority is better able to deal with your report. You will know the next steps for your report within five business days of submitting it.

At no stage during this process will you be required to identify yourself, unless you choose to.

Make a report

Collection Statement

This Personal Information Collection Statement is subject to the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 and our Privacy Policy.

Safe2Say is an anonymous reporting platform hosted by Crime Stoppers WA but monitored and actioned by SBDC investigators.

The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is collecting:

  1. The details of a person/s whose conduct you are reporting, including Directors ID (if known), Business Name, ABN, Government entity name, Location of project or business
  2. Supporting documents or evidence

You may choose to identify yourself, provide your job description or provide the SBDC with your full name, phone number, email address, ABN and business name; if you would like to be contacted regarding your report.

This information is used in investigating the conduct you are reporting and contacting you for further information regarding your report, unless you choose to place your report anonymously.

If you choose not to provide the information to us, or if information is incomplete, we will only be able to contact you via the Safe2Say two-way anonymous online chat regarding your report.

The information may be disclosed to the Western Australian Small Business Commissioner, CrimeStoppers, and third parties engaged by us to provide services on our behalf; government departments, auditors, emergency service providers, and law enforcement agencies; where required or authorised by law.

This information is required under the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983. You should note that information provided to the SBDC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1992.

You have the right to access and correct your personal information. For any queries regarding access to this information or privacy generally please contact infocentre@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au.

Our Privacy Policy contains further details about the SBDC’s collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

Declaration

By submitting this form, I acknowledge the SBDC is collecting, using, disclosing, and storing my personal information as set out above.

Make a report on the secure Safe2Say platform

Other ways to contact us

Looking for other ways to contact us without initially identifying yourself? Call our Investigations and Inquiry team via our subcontractor support helpline on 1300 110 232.