Prepare for Payday Super: Key Readiness Steps for Employers
Important changes to employer superannuation obligations will commence from 1 July 2026. Under the upcoming Payday Super reforms, employers will be required to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions much more frequently. Rather than making quarterly payments, super contributions will generally need to be paid at the same time employees are paid their salary or wages. […]
Could junior rates of pay be abolished?
Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), has articulated the view that employees aged 18 years and over should be remunerated at the full adult rate of pay. The underlying argument is that individuals legally recognised as adults for civic purposes should receive equivalent recognition within the workplace. The […]
Why ESG is your new competitive edge
Increased regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder expectations have elevated the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting across the business landscape. While traditionally associated with large corporates, ESG considerations are now highly relevant to small and medium enterprises. According to research conducted by Sage in conjunction with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), 70% of […]
Why bookkeeping is essential for your small business
Business owners frequently ask whether they require a bookkeeper, an accountant, or both. The answer will depend on the size, complexity and stage of the business; however, in most cases, both roles add distinct and complementary value. A bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining accurate day-to-day financial records. This includes processing transactions, issuing and reconciling invoices, […]
Helping you reduce your company’s carbon footprint
Climate action was a key focus of the recent COP30 conference, with particular emphasis on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For many businesses, energy use and carbon emissions form a material part of ESG obligations and are increasingly relevant to planning, reporting and stakeholder expectations. The Australian Government’s Net Zero strategy aims […]
Climate-Proofing SMEs: positive steps your business can take
At the COP30 climate conference, the COP29 Climate High-Level Champion formally launched the Climate-Proofing SMEs campaign, an initiative designed to increase meaningful climate action across the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Purpose of the Climate-Proofing SMEs campaign A central component of the campaign was the release of an open letter to governments globally, advocating […]
5 major challenges for the manufacturing sector
The global manufacturing environment is continuing its rapid technological evolution, creating both emerging opportunities and notable risks for Australian manufacturing businesses. Alongside these advancements, the sector must also contend with recruitment difficulties, escalating costs and increasing regulatory obligations. Five major challenges that require forward planning: While these challenges are set to persist, proactive planning and […]
Hiring staff for your business
Hiring new employees is a natural part of growing your business. As operations expand, additional skills and capacity are required to support ongoing success. However, bringing on new team members involves more than just filling a role – it requires sound processes and compliance from the start. Here are four essential steps to include in […]
Do you know the environmental impacts of your business?
The Federal Government has recently announced an ambitious climate target for 2035, committing Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 62% and 70% below 2005 levels. Achieving this goal will require coordinated action across all sectors of the economy — from major corporations through to small and medium-sized enterprises. As environmental accountability becomes increasingly […]
The ATO’s new Tax Toolkit for small business owners
One of the unavoidable realities of running a business is ensuring that your tax obligations are met—both on company profits and on remuneration as a director. While not the most glamorous responsibility, tax compliance sits firmly with you as the business owner or director. To assist, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released its latest […]