Contracts Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on contracts for australian businesses.
Turnover Rent Explained: Meaning, Calculation And Legal Risks
If you’re leasing a shopfront, café, clinic, gym, warehouse showroom, or any customer-facing space, you’ve probably come across (or heard whispers about) turnover rent . For some small businesses, turnover rent can...
17 February 2026
Net Lease Explained: What Is A Net Lease?
If you’re looking to lease commercial premises for your business (or you’re renewing an existing lease), you’ll quickly run into terms like “gross lease”, “net lease”, “outgoings”, “NNN” and “make good”. For...
17 February 2026
Non-Delegable Duty Of Care: What Businesses Need To Know
If you run a business, you probably already know you have a “duty of care” to keep people safe. But there’s a particular kind of responsibility that can catch business owners off...
17 February 2026
NSW Redundancy Pay Over 50: Employer Obligations, Calculations And Risks
Making a role redundant is never a “tick-the-box” exercise, especially when the employee is older and has been with you for a long time. If you’re an NSW employer trying to understand...
16 February 2026
Sublease Meaning: What Subleasing Is And How Businesses Use It
If you’re running a small business, your premises can be one of your biggest costs - and one of your biggest opportunities. Maybe you’ve taken on a space that’s now too large....
16 February 2026
How To Transfer A Commercial Lease To A New Tenant In Australia
If you’re running a small business, your lease can be one of your biggest commitments (and one of your biggest risks). Sometimes, things change - you might be relocating, downsizing, upsizing, selling...
16 February 2026
Letter Of Intent Template: When To Use One And How To Tailor It
If you’re negotiating a new deal for your startup or small business, it’s common to reach a point where you and the other side are aligned on the “big picture” - but...
16 February 2026
Referral Fee Agreements In Australia: What Startups Need To Know
Referrals are one of the most cost-effective ways to grow a startup or small business. Whether you’re a consultant, an agency, a software provider, a trades business, or an online service, a...
16 February 2026
Mental Health Sick Leave: Employer Guide To Personal Leave Entitlements In Australia
Mental health is now a core workplace issue for Australian small businesses - not just from a “culture” perspective, but from an employment law and safety perspective too. If an employee asks...
16 February 2026
Lawyer Fees In Australia: What Lawyers Can Charge
When you’re running a small business, legal support can be one of those “I know I need it, but what will it cost?” topics. You might be hiring your first employee, negotiating...
16 February 2026
Design And Construct Contracts In Australia: What Businesses And Contractors Need To Know
If you’re taking on a construction project where one party is responsible for both the design and the build, you’ll usually be dealing with a design and construct contract (sometimes called a...
16 February 2026
Who Can Witness A Document In Australia?
When you’re running a small business, “signing paperwork” rarely means just putting pen to paper. Whether you’re onboarding a new employee, finalising a supplier deal, appointing an agent to act for you,...
16 February 2026
Loan Contract Essentials: Drafting And Negotiating For Startups
When you’re building a startup or growing a small business, cash flow can be the difference between moving fast and stalling out. Maybe you’re borrowing from a founder, a related entity, a...
16 February 2026
Franchise Agreement Guide: Key Clauses, Risks And Negotiation Tips
Note: This article is general information for Australian business owners and is not legal advice. Franchise arrangements can vary significantly, and your rights and obligations will depend on the documents you receive...
16 February 2026
Industry Codes Of Practice: What They Are And How They Work In Australia
When you’re busy running a small business, it can feel like there are so many rules coming at you from every direction - legislation, regulators, suppliers, customers, and sometimes even your competitors....
16 February 2026
Public Holiday Pay Rates In Victoria: Employer Entitlements And Staff Management
Public holidays can be great for business (think increased foot traffic, special events, and seasonal demand), but they can also create real pressure for small business owners - especially when you’re trying...
15 February 2026
Partnership Definition In Business: Meaning And Types For Startups
Starting a business with someone you trust can feel like the perfect shortcut to growth. You split the workload, combine skills, and share costs. But when you’re building something real (especially if...
15 February 2026
Mediation Vs Arbitration: Choosing The Right Dispute Resolution Method
Disputes are an inevitable part of running a business. Maybe a supplier hasn’t delivered on time, a customer is refusing to pay, or a contractor relationship has broken down halfway through a...
15 February 2026
Employee Or Contractor? How To Classify Workers In Australia
If you run a small business, you’ll probably face this question sooner than you think: should you engage someone as an employee or a contractor? It can feel like a “paperwork” decision,...
15 February 2026
On-Hire Labour Agreements In Australia: Key Legal Terms And Risks
If your business is growing (or your workload is unpredictable), on-hire labour can feel like the perfect middle ground between hiring permanent staff and constantly scrambling for contractors. You get access to...
15 February 2026
Terms and Conditions for Small Businesses: What to Include and How to Draft
If you run a small business, you’re probably juggling sales, operations, suppliers, customer expectations and (somewhere in the middle) legal risk. That’s exactly where well-drafted terms and conditions come in. They set...
15 February 2026
Restraint Clauses In Employment Contracts: Restraint Periods For Employers In Australia
Hiring and training great people is one of the biggest investments you’ll make as a small business owner. But when an employee leaves - especially someone senior, client-facing, or with access to...
15 February 2026
Retail Lease Disclosure Statement: What to Check Before You Sign
Signing a retail lease is a big moment for any small business. It’s often the difference between “we’re thinking about opening” and “we’re actually doing it”. But it can also lock you...
15 February 2026
Do You Need An IT Lawyer In Australia?
If you’re building a tech-enabled business, it’s normal to think of legal support as something you deal with later - after you’ve launched, signed your first customers, or raised funding. But in...
15 February 2026
Need help with your business legals?
Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.