Startups Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for australian businesses.
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
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
What Is An Information Memorandum In Australia?
If you’re exploring investment, selling part of your company, or bringing in a strategic partner, you’ll quickly hear the term “information memorandum.” It sounds technical, but it’s simply a structured document that...
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
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
Oppressive Conduct Under The Corporations Act
Shareholder relationships can power a small company’s growth - or derail it when trust breaks down. If a minority shareholder feels pushed out or treated unfairly, “oppressive conduct” under the Corporations Act...
22 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
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
How Creditors’ Voluntary Winding Up (CVL) Works in Australia
If your company can’t pay its debts as and when they fall due, a creditors’ voluntary winding up (CVL) may be the cleanest way to draw a line under the business and...
22 November 2025
Circular Resolution Template: Approve Decisions Without A Meeting
Running a company means making timely decisions. But getting directors together for a formal board meeting isn’t always practical - especially if you’re moving quickly or your board is spread across locations....
22 November 2025
How Convertible Notes Work In Australia
Raising capital can feel like a chicken-and-egg problem. You need funds to grow, but you want to avoid locking in a valuation too early or giving up too much control. That’s where...
22 November 2025
Binding Agreement: Making Business Contracts Enforceable in Australia
Every small business runs on promises - with customers, suppliers, partners and staff. But in law, a promise only truly protects you when it becomes a binding agreement. If you want certainty...
22 November 2025
Legal Business Name in Australia: Choose, Register and Protect
Picking the right legal business name is one of the first big decisions you’ll make as a business owner. It’s your brand, your first impression and-importantly-part of your legal identity in Australia....
21 November 2025
Change Of Control Clauses In Australia: What Businesses Should Know
If you’re growing, bringing in investors, or thinking about selling your company down the track, you’ll quickly run into “change of control” clauses. They pop up in supplier contracts, SaaS subscriptions, finance...
21 November 2025
Extraordinary General Meeting Rules In NSW: What You Need To Know
When something important can’t wait until your next annual general meeting, an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) is how you get urgent decisions made by your owners or members. If you operate in...
21 November 2025
Letter of Demand Sample: How to Write One in Australia
Chasing unpaid invoices takes time, cashflow and energy away from growing your business. If friendly reminders haven’t worked, a clear, professional Letter of Demand can be the nudge a debtor needs to...
21 November 2025
Undertaking as to Damages: What to Know Before Seeking an Injunction
When you’re racing to protect your business-say, to stop a former employee using your client list or to prevent a supplier from breaching exclusivity-an urgent court injunction can feel like the only...
21 November 2025
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