By Paul Hemsley

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) will provide additional information services to small businesses through a telephone infoline.

Costing for the infoline is unavailable but it is an additional number to the existing main enquiries line.

Advice and information on consumer protections applying to small business and resolution service for consumer disputes will be provided through the Small Business Infoline.

Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O’Brian said the infoline ensures small businesses have a place to go to get the information they need about their rights and obligations under the Australian Consumer Law.

According to a CAV spokesperson, CAV’s enquiries centre staff will handle calls to the Small Business Infoline.

“The extra volume of calls generated by the infoline are currently being handled by Consumer Affairs Victoria’s enquiries staff, no additional staff members have been employed at this time,” the spokesperson said.

No refurbishment or renovation of the premises was required in establishing the Small Business InfoLine, and the enquiries centre is based within CAV’s Melbourne CBD office.

The Small Business InfoLine sits within CAV’s enquiries operations and has been developed using existing infrastructure for the CAV general enquiries line.

“Information received through the infoline will also provide CAV with insight into small business' current understanding of their consumer rights,” the spokesperson said.

“This will assist CAV in developing more targeted messages to the small business community in the future.”