³ΤΉΟΝψ

08 July 2024

The Australian ³ΤΉΟΝψ and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s website – - is now available in more than 100 languages to better assist migrant-led small and family business owners and managers.

β€œOne in three small businesses are run by people who were born overseas and our culture and local business communities are enriched by their presence,” says Bruce Billson, the Australian ³ΤΉΟΝψ and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

β€œBut sometimes when help is needed and people are distressed, many find it easier when the information is provided in a preferred language.

β€œI hope this new feature on our website, which can be activated by one simple click, will make it easier for migrant-led business owners to use the many helpful resources, tools and checklists available. 

β€œOur research shows nearly one-quarter of small business owners use a language other than English at home and more than half of small business owners are second generation migrants, with a parent born overseas.

β€œSome 23 per cent of small business owners, who have required the assistance of one of our case managers to help with a dispute, spoke a language other than English at home. In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.”

The translation feature is clearly located at the top of our website with the translation software powered by Google Translate.

β€œEffort has been made to provide accurate translations, but no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators,” Mr Billson said.

β€œWhen we individually assist with cases, our case managers use human translators to help ensure that translations are accurate, and meaning is well understood.”

Media contact: 0448 467 178 /