Business Set Up Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on business set up for australian businesses.
Who Has to Pay GST in Australia?
Getting GST right is one of those nuts-and-bolts tasks that every Australian small business has to figure out early. The rules can feel confusing at first, but once you understand who has...
24 November 2025
Do Freelancers Need an ABN in Australia?
Working with freelancers can be a smart way to scale your business without committing to permanent headcount. But the admin can feel murky - especially around ABNs, tax withholding and getting your...
24 November 2025
How Long Does A Trade Mark Last In Australia?
Building a brand takes time, energy and money - so it’s natural to ask how long your protection actually lasts in Australia. The good news is that Australian trade marks can last...
24 November 2025
ASIC Ultimate Holding Company: What It Means and How to Comply
If you’re building a group of companies in Australia - for example, a parent company with one or more subsidiaries - you’ll run into the term “ultimate holding company” when dealing with...
24 November 2025
Rockhampton Business Lawyers: Start And Protect Your Small Business
Building a business in Rockhampton or the wider Central Queensland region is an exciting move. Whether you’re opening a retail store on East Street, launching a trade or professional service, or growing...
23 November 2025
What Is a Partnership Agreement in Australia?
Going into business with a partner can be exciting. You’re combining skills, splitting responsibilities and moving faster together. But without clear rules, even the best friendships can be tested by everyday business...
23 November 2025
GST Threshold in Australia: Do You Need to Register for GST?
Getting your tax settings right early can make running your small business much smoother. One of the first questions many founders ask is whether they need to register for Goods and Services...
23 November 2025
Can Your Signature Be Anything in Australia?
If you run a small business, you’re probably signing documents every week - proposals, supplier contracts, change orders and more. With so much going digital, it’s natural to ask: can your signature...
23 November 2025
Does A Discretionary Trust Need An ABN In Australia?
If you’re thinking about running your small business through a discretionary trust, you’re not alone. Trusts are a popular way for Australian founders and family businesses to manage assets, distribute profits tax-effectively,...
23 November 2025
Waiver Template in Australia: What To Include and When To Use It
Running a small business often means managing risk - especially if you provide services or activities where customers could be injured, property could be damaged, or expectations could be misunderstood. A clear,...
23 November 2025
What Does "Beneficially Held" Mean Under ASIC Rules?
If you manage a company in Australia, sooner or later you’ll run into the question “Are these shares beneficially held?” in ASIC’s portal or in your company records. It’s a short question...
23 November 2025
Minutes Of The Meeting Template: Format And Tips
Running efficient meetings is one thing. Being able to prove what was decided - clearly, consistently and legally - is another. A well-structured minutes of the meeting template gives you both: better...
23 November 2025
Master Franchise in Australia: How to Set Up and Comply
Going “master franchise” can be a powerful way to grow a franchise network across a large territory without building everything yourself. Whether you’re an Australian franchisor looking to expand interstate or overseas,...
23 November 2025
Fixed Trust Vs Discretionary Trust In Australia: Which Suits You?
Choosing a trust structure is a big call for any Australian small business. If you’re tossing up between a fixed trust and a discretionary trust, you’re not alone - both are popular...
23 November 2025
How To Start A Small Online Business In Australia
Starting a small online business is one of the most accessible ways to launch a new venture in Australia. With low overheads and the ability to reach customers nationwide, it’s a great...
22 November 2025
Cap Table Meaning: How To Build And Manage One
If you’re thinking about raising capital, bringing on a co-founder, or rewarding key staff with equity, you’ll run into one essential concept early: the cap table (often written “captable”). Put simply, a...
22 November 2025
What Does Capital Raising Mean?
Ready to grow but need more cash than your business currently generates? That’s where capital raising comes in. Whether you’re hiring a team, building product, or entering new markets, raising capital can...
22 November 2025
S286 Corporations Act: Financial Record-Keeping Requirements
If you run a company in Australia, keeping proper financial records isn’t just a “good practice” - it’s a legal must. Section 286 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) sets out clear...
22 November 2025
Business Owner Salary: How To Pay Yourself In Australia
Getting paid as a business owner isn’t as simple as transferring cash from your business account whenever you need it. The way you pay yourself affects your tax, superannuation, cash flow and...
22 November 2025
Can a Trust Own Property in Australia?
Thinking about buying commercial premises or an investment property for your business? Many Australian business owners look at trusts as a smart way to hold real property. Using a trust can help...
22 November 2025
Resident Director Services in Australia for Overseas-Owned Companies
Expanding into Australia (or setting up a new company with offshore founders) is exciting - but there’s a very specific legal requirement that often trips businesses up: you must have at least...
22 November 2025
Do Partnerships Have Unlimited Liability In Australia?
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make. If you’re thinking about a partnership, you’re probably wondering: do partnerships have unlimited liability in Australia? Short...
22 November 2025
S588H Corporations Act: Defences to Insolvent Trading
If you’re a director of an Australian company, the thought of “insolvent trading” can be worrying - and for good reason. Company directors can be held personally liable if the company incurs...
22 November 2025
Cybersquatting in Australia: What You Need to Know
For many small businesses, your domain name is your digital shopfront. It’s how customers find you, remember you and trust you online. That’s exactly why cybersquatting-when someone registers, uses or sells a...
22 November 2025
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