The organisation was founded in 1979 and was incorporated in 1985. COSBOA has a proud history of strong advocacy on small business issues ranging from taxation and workplace relations, through to competition law and retail tenancy.

The Council of Small Business Australia is the country`s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses.

Our goals are to:
•Promote and support the development of small businesses in Australia;
•Advocate to advance the interests of small business in Australia, including through policy change and regulatory reform;
•Foster an increased awareness and understanding of the role of small business in Australia amongst public servants and elected government officials, larger businesses, the media and the general community.

We engage our members and provide opportunities for them to influence outcomes affecting their business, and their industry. We act as a conduit for information from our members to Government and other organisations, and vice versa. A key activity for us is to facilitate introductions between member organisations and businesses with relevant customers, suppliers, service providers and regulators.

Communication is the foundation of any good relationship, and we endeavour to be an active conduit for information.

We exist because small businesses don’t have the time, the resources and often the expertise that is required to be alert to the myriad of legislative and regulatory change that affects them on an ongoing basis. Our efforts are focussed on providing accurate and timely input into decisions which will affect small businesses. Our members provide essential input to ensure the quality of our representation, as well as the substance and the credibility to back it up. Our relationship with Government is critical to ensure that we’re aware of what’s happening that might help or hinder business, and equally, to convey any new or emerging issues that need to be addressed to support the small business community .