Lynda McAlary-Smith commenced her role as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in March 2026.
A qualified lawyer and experienced senior executive, Lynda brings a wealth of experience from over two decades of working with businesses across various sectors throughout the country.

As an independent statutory appointment, Lynda is a strong advocate for small businesses and family enterprises across Australia. Lynda works to ensure that small businesses have access to the support and resources they need to thrive including dispute resolution and assistance services.

With an extensive background as a regulator, Lynda has worked across multiple jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth and Victoria, focusing on workplace relations, building and construction, and broader business regulation. Lynda’s leadership experience includes serving as Victorian Small Business Commissioner, where she managed statutory powers across multiple legislative areas, as well as holding senior executive roles at the Victorian Building Authority and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Before her regulatory career, Lynda was a commercial litigator in private practice. Beyond her professional commitments, she is a Director on the Board of The Australian Ballet School and serves as an Ambassador for the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation.
The mission of the ASBFEO is to help ensure Australia is the best place to start, grow and transform a small business and family enterprise. ASBFEO understands the challenges facing small and family business and provides advice and research to improve policies, access to dispute resolution services and mental health support should the need arise.