Startups Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on startups for australian businesses.

What Is A Retainer And How Does It Work?

What Is A Retainer And How Does It Work?

Retainers are common across professional services in Australia - from legal and accounting to marketing, IT and design. If you’re weighing up whether a retainer could work for your business (either as...

16 October 2025
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Company Extract In Australia: What It Is And How To Get One

Company Extract In Australia: What It Is And How To Get One

If you’re about to sign a new supplier, extend trade credit to a customer, or enter a JV, one of the first checks you’ll hear about is a “company extract.” It’s a...

16 October 2025
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Confidentiality Agreements: What You Need To Know

Confidentiality Agreements: What You Need To Know

Whether you’re pitching to an investor, onboarding a contractor, or sharing pricing with a potential supplier, there will be times you need to disclose information that gives your business its edge. A...

16 October 2025
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What Is A Shareholders Agreement?

What Is A Shareholders Agreement?

Bringing co-founders or investors on board is exciting - it means your business is growing. But it also means you’ll make big decisions together, manage money, and plan exits over time. That’s...

16 October 2025
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Sole Trader Advantages and Disadvantages: Is It Right for You?

Sole Trader Advantages and Disadvantages: Is It Right for You?

Choosing your business structure is one of the first big decisions you’ll make. For many small business owners in Australia, starting out as a sole trader feels simple and cost‑effective - and...

16 October 2025
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Non-Executive Directors in Australia: Roles and Duties

Non-Executive Directors in Australia: Roles and Duties

Bringing the right people around your board table can transform how your business makes decisions, manages risk and grows. For many Australian small businesses, adding a non-executive director (NED) is a smart...

16 October 2025
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ACN Registration Cost: What It Really Costs In Australia

ACN Registration Cost: What It Really Costs In Australia

Thinking about setting up a Pty Ltd company and getting your Australian Company Number (ACN)? It’s a smart move for many small businesses, but it’s normal to wonder what the total “ACN...

16 October 2025
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Sole Proprietorship in Australia: Is a Sole Trader Right for You?

Sole Proprietorship in Australia: Is a Sole Trader Right for You?

If you’re gearing up to launch a small business in Australia, setting up as a sole proprietor (often called a “sole trader”) is usually the fastest, simplest and lowest‑cost way to get...

16 October 2025
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How To Start a Clothing Brand in Australia: Legal Essentials

How To Start a Clothing Brand in Australia: Legal Essentials

Launching a clothing brand is an exciting way to turn your creative vision into a real business. Whether you’re designing limited-run streetwear, sustainable basics or a premium label, getting your legal and...

15 October 2025
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Consideration In Australian Contracts

Consideration In Australian Contracts

When you sign or send a contract, there’s a simple question that can make or break its enforceability: what is each party giving and getting? In Australian contract law, that “something of...

15 October 2025
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Loan Agreement Template in Australia: Key Inclusions

Loan Agreement Template in Australia: Key Inclusions

Whether you’re lending money to (or borrowing from) a founder, a related company, an investor, or a friendly backer, a clear loan agreement is essential. It keeps expectations aligned, protects relationships and...

15 October 2025
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How To Set Up A Trust In Australia

How To Set Up A Trust In Australia

Many Australian small businesses use a trust as part of their structure to protect assets, manage tax efficiently and plan for growth. If you’re weighing up whether a trust is right for...

15 October 2025
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What Does Commercial in Confidence Mean in Australia?

What Does Commercial in Confidence Mean in Australia?

When you’re running a small business, you’ll often need to share sensitive details with people outside your team - a potential investor, a supplier quoting on your new product, or a consultant...

15 October 2025
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Fiduciary Duty Meaning in Australia: What It Is and How to Manage It

Fiduciary Duty Meaning in Australia: What It Is and How to Manage It

If you run a company or are planning to launch one, you’ll hear the phrase “fiduciary duty” sooner or later. It sounds technical, but it’s simply about trust. In small businesses, a...

15 October 2025
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Convertible Notes in Australia: What Startups Should Know

Convertible Notes in Australia: What Startups Should Know

Raising capital is one of the biggest hurdles for growing a small business or startup in Australia. If you’re not ready to set a valuation or you want a faster, more flexible...

15 October 2025
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Data Sovereignty In Australia: What It Means

Data Sovereignty In Australia: What It Means

Data is now one of your most valuable business assets. But where that data lives, who can access it, and which laws apply are just as important as how you collect it....

15 October 2025
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Commercial Law in Australia Explained

Commercial Law in Australia Explained

Running a small business in Australia is exciting - you’ve got customers to delight, products to launch and a brand to grow. But there’s a quiet engine room powering all of this:...

15 October 2025
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Unfranked Dividends In Australia Explained

Unfranked Dividends In Australia Explained

If you run a company in Australia, dividends are one of the key ways you can return value to your shareholders. But not every dividend carries franking credits. Understanding when an unfranked...

15 October 2025
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ASIC Corporate Key: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It

ASIC Corporate Key: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It

If you run a company in Australia, your ASIC corporate key is one of the most important credentials you’ll ever receive. It’s not just another reference number - it’s the unique security...

15 October 2025
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MOU Meaning: Memorandum Of Understanding And When To Use One

MOU Meaning: Memorandum Of Understanding And When To Use One

When you’re exploring a new partnership or negotiating a deal, jumping straight into a binding contract can feel like a big leap. That’s where an MOU comes in. It helps you record...

14 October 2025
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Heads of Agreement in Australia: What They Are and When to Use Them

Heads of Agreement in Australia: What They Are and When to Use Them

When you’re close to a deal but not quite ready to sign the full contract, a Heads of Agreement (sometimes called a “Head of Agreement” or “HOA”) can be a practical way...

14 October 2025
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Joint Ventures In Australia: How To Set One Up

Joint Ventures In Australia: How To Set One Up

Thinking about teaming up with another business to win bigger projects, share costs or enter new markets? A joint venture can be a powerful way to combine strengths without merging your entire...

14 October 2025
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How To Find Your ABN

How To Find Your ABN

Misplaced your Australian Business Number (ABN) or not sure if you’ve ever had one? You’re not alone. Whether you’re invoicing, setting up a new website, opening a business bank account or registering...

14 October 2025
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How To Set Up A Family Trust In Australia

How To Set Up A Family Trust In Australia

Thinking about setting up a family trust for your small business? You’re not alone. Many founders and family-run businesses in Australia use family trusts to hold shares, manage profits, and plan for...

14 October 2025
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