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 […]
Rise in the minimum wage: the impact for your business
On 3 June 2025, the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panel handed down its decision following the 2024–25 Annual Wage Review. As a result, both the National Minimum Wage and modern award minimum wages will increase by 3.5%, effective 1 July 2025. View the official announcement. While the increase provides welcome relief for employees amidst persistent […]
New small business owners to get compliance support by the ATO
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched its Ready for Business campaign, aimed at providing support to ABN holders through a series of informative emails over the coming months. These updates will offer practical tips on ABN compliance, business restructures, GST registration, and employer responsibilities. According to the ATO, small businesses that seek advice from […]
What makes a business expense tax deductible?
As a business owner, it’s natural to incur various expenses in the day-to-day running of your operations — from fuelling your vehicle to entertaining clients and purchasing office supplies such as printer toner. But the important question is: Are these expenses tax-deductible? The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently published examples of inappropriate claims made by […]
Payday super: what could it mean for your small business?
In 2023, the Australian Government announced that from 1 July 2026, employers will be mandated to pay superannuation contributions concurrently with their employees’ salary and wages payments. This reform, known as “payday super”, will replace the existing quarterly superannuation payment cycle with a process requiring contributions to be made within seven days of each pay […]