Consumer and Business Services, South Australia

What Consumer and Business Services, South Australia does

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is a division of the South Australian Government's Attorney-General's Department, headquartered at 4-6 Chesser Street, Adelaide. It is a multi-service state regulatory agency administering statutory functions under 40+ South Australian Acts, including the Fair Trading Act, Liquor Licensing Act, Residential Tenancies Act, and Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act. The agency operates six core service lines: vital records registration (births, deaths, marriages, change of name/gender); liquor, gambling and lotteries licensing; occupational and business licensing (trades, real estate, security, second-hand vehicles, labour hire, tobacco); consumer and business advice; renting and letting services including the Residential Bonds Online portal; and registration of associations, charities, and cooperatives.

CBS delivers services through a hybrid channel model combining a physical Customer Service Centre, a phone contact centre (131 882), Service SA regional locations, online portals (CBS Licensing Register, Liquor and Gaming Licensing Database, Residential Bonds Online, Online Service Forms), and postal services. Underlying technology includes Kiteworks SecureFile (FIPS 140-2 compliant, AES 256-bit encryption) for secure inter-agency data transfer, integration with the federal Document Verification Service for identity verification, real-time petrol price monitoring, and ID Scan SA for age verification in restricted liquor zones. CBS targets WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards for its web presence.

The agency is funded through South Australian government appropriations rather than traditional commercial revenue, with service fees (e.g., $72 standard birth/death/marriage certificate, $122 priority service) representing a minor supplementary income stream. In 2024, CBS assumed responsibility for tobacco and vape licensing and enforcement backed by a $16 million dedicated taskforce. Commissioner Brett Humphrey, appointed 6 January 2025 with 25+ years of SAPOL experience, oversees consolidated Liquor and Gambling, Consumer Affairs, Prices, and Corporate Affairs commissioner functions. The agency is a participant in the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group alongside 26 federal, state and territory agency partners.

Name

Consumer and Business Services, South Australia

Legal name

Consumer and Business Services

Website

https://cbs.sa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is a South Australian government agency under the Attorney-General's Department that administers statutory regulation across vital records, occupational and liquor licensing, tenancy, consumer protection, gambling, and charitable organisations for South Australian residents and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

akta.pro primary industry

Gambling, Alcohol & Controlled Substances Regulators (BPAIAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Consumer Protection & Product Safety Regulators (BPAIAOAE), Business Registration & Corporate Affairs (Registries) (BPAIAOAA)

Keywords

• Government regulatory services
• Consumer protection services
• Vital records registration
• Occupational licensing
• Tenancy regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is a South Australian Government regulatory agency delivering civil registration (births, deaths, marriages), occupational and business licensing, liquor/gaming/racing regulation, tenancy services (including bond lodgement), consumer protection advice, and registration of non-profits. The agency also operates an illicit tobacco and vape enforcement taskforce and publishes public warnings and searchable licensing registers.

Product overview

Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is a division of the South Australian Government's Attorney-General's Department providing a comprehensive suite of regulatory, licensing, and registration services. The organization operates as a multi-service platform organized into six core service areas: Births, Deaths & Marriages (civil registration and certificate services); Liquor and Gaming Licensing (venue and gambling regulation); Work and Business Licensing (occupational licensing for trades, real estate, and security); Consumer and Business Advice (consumer protection and dispute resolution); Renting and Letting Advice (tenancy services including bond management); and Associations, Charities and Cooperatives (non-profit organization registration). These services are delivered through a combination of in-person counter services, online portals (including searchable licensing registers, bond status checking, and application forms), and communication channels like the CBS Connect newsletter. The organization also operates an illicit tobacco and vape enforcement taskforce and conducts compliance monitoring across regulated industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration Official registration services for births, deaths, marriages, and registered relationships in South Australia. Includes certificate issuance, change of name/gender processing, and family relationship documentation for South Australian residents.
• Liquor and Gaming Licensing Licensing and regulation of premises for sale of alcohol, gambling activities, gaming machines, lotteries, racing, betting, and bookmakers in South Australia.
• Work and Business Licensing Occupational licensing for builders, tradespeople, real estate agents, security guards, second-hand vehicle dealers, tobacco retailers, labour hire providers, and other business operators in South Australia.
• Consumer and Business Advice Consumer rights information, business advice, dispute resolution, product safety alerts, and fair trading compliance guidance for South Australians.
• Renting and Letting Advice Tenancy advice, bond lodgements and refunds, rental reforms information, and guidance for both renters and landlords in South Australia.
• Associations, Charities and Cooperatives Registration and regulation of incorporated associations, charities, cooperatives, community organisations, and fundraising activities in South Australia.
• Residential Bonds Online (RBO) Online portal for checking whether a residential rental bond is lodged or tracking the progress of a bond claim in South Australia.
• CBS Licensing Register Searchable online register for verifying work and business licensees including builders, plumbers, electricians, real estate agents, security agents, and second-hand vehicle dealers.
• Liquor and Gaming Licensing Database Searchable database for finding licensed premises with liquor or gaming licences and verifying Responsible Person approvals in South Australia.
• Online Service Forms Digital forms for various CBS applications, requests, and submissions accessible through the CBS website for service delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $50 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes seized since July 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Australian Border Force (ABF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Joint raids as part of Taskforce Morpheus and Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group (NDG). ABF and CBS staff conduct coordinated enforcement operations targeting illicit tobacco and vape networks. The partnership leverages ABF's border control powers and CBS's state regulatory authority.
• Australian Federal Police (AFP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Partner agency in the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group, contributing federal law enforcement capabilities to coordinated operations against illicit tobacco trade networks.
• South Australian Police (SAPOL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Collaboration on enforcement operations including Operation Eclipse supporting CBS raids on illicit tobacco stores. SAPOL provides policing powers and local enforcement support.
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Federal partner in the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group focusing on disrupting illicit vaping goods and e-cigarettes.
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Partner agency in NDG working to recover duty evaded through illicit tobacco trade, ensuring funds are directed back to community services.
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Contributes unique intelligence capabilities to identify and disrupt illicit tobacco networks operating across Australia.
• AUSTRACmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Financial intelligence partner in NDG, working to identify money laundering activities connected to illicit tobacco trade proceeds.
• Services AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Federal agency partner in the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group conducting assessments and investigations.
• Queensland Police ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026State law enforcement partner in coordinated NDG operations across Queensland and South Australia.
• Department of Human Services (SA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Consulted on establishment of permanent dry areas and alcohol-related harm reduction initiatives.
• Ceduna Foreshore Hotel LicenseeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Community licensee who proposed voluntary restrictions on spirit and fortified wine sales as a pilot initiative to address anti-social behaviour.
• City of Charles SturtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2024Local council partner in joint application for establishment of permanent dry area in Ovingham area.
• City of ProspectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2024Local council partner in joint application for establishment of permanent dry area in Ovingham area.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Service NSW: Service NSW is the broader NSW government service delivery platform handling licensing, vital records, and regulatory transactions. While it does not enforce, it shares CBS's digital service delivery model and could be considered an emerging benchmark for government service digitisation.
• NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE): MBIE is the New Zealand government agency responsible for business regulation, consumer protection, and licensing administration across multiple sectors. While operating at a national rather than state level, it parallels CBS's integrated regulatory service model.
• UK Trading Standards: UK Trading Standards provides consumer protection and fair trading enforcement across the United Kingdom through local authority delivery. While operating in a different regulatory environment, it parallels CBS's consumer protection and trading standards functions at a comparable operational level.

Regional players

• Northern Territory Consumer Affairs: NT Consumer Affairs administers consumer protection and trading regulation in the Northern Territory. It is functionally comparable to CBS's consumer and business advice functions but operates in a different jurisdiction with a smaller population base.

Direct peers

• Queensland Office of Fair Trading: Queensland Office of Fair Trading administers Queensland's Fair Trading Act and associated consumer protection and licensing legislation. As a state-level regulator with similar scope to CBS, it is a direct functional peer.
• Consumer Affairs Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria is the Victorian state agency handling consumer rights, product safety, and business registration/compliance. It is directly comparable to CBS's consumer protection and licensing functions, serving as Victoria's regulatory counterpart.
• NSW Fair Trading: NSW Fair Trading is the New South Wales state agency equivalent to CBS, administering consumer protection, trading standards, and occupational licensing under NSW legislation. It is the closest functional peer in terms of regulatory scope and service delivery model.
• Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission: Tasmania's Liquor and Gaming Commission regulates liquor licensing, gaming machines, and casino oversight in Tasmania. It is a direct peer for CBS's liquor and gambling licensing function, though it does not handle CBS's broader consumer protection scope.
• WA Consumer Protection (DMIRS): WA Consumer Protection operates within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and handles consumer complaints, product safety, and fair trading enforcement. It mirrors CBS's consumer protection mandate for Western Australia.
• Access Canberra: Access Canberra is the ACT government's regulatory and licensing service centre, handling occupational licences, business registration, and consumer protection. It is a direct peer of CBS in terms of multi-functional regulatory service delivery, though operating at a smaller scale in the ACT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/consumer-and-business-services-south-australia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Consumer and Business Services, South Australia