Business.
Growing, running and improving an Australian small business: cashflow, planning, people and profit.
Business·14 September 2026
When cards cost more: the surcharge rules change on 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026 the major card networks move to “no surcharge” rules for prepaid, debit and credit cards. If your invoicing relies on a card surcharge to offset processing costs, that recovery is closing - here is what changes, what Xero handles automatically, and what to decide before October.
Business·12 June 2026
Federal Budget 2026: what property investors need to know about depreciation and CGT
Current as of May 2026. Proposed changes are subject to legislation passing parliament. The 2026-27 Federal Budget has proposed some of the most significant changes to property investment tax rules in years. If you own a residential investment property, two things are changing from 1 July 2027: how
Business·13 May 2026
2026-27 Federal Budget - What it means for you
Handed down 12 May 2026 The 2026-27 Federal Budget is the most reform-heavy Budget in a generation. The headline changes target capital gains tax, negative gearing and the way family trusts are taxed. Most of the major changes do not take effect until 1 July 2027, and the new trust tax not until 1 J
Business·28 April 2026
Rising costs, fuel pressure and what it means for business margins
Across Australia, many businesses are operating in a different cost environment to even 18-24 months ago. Fuel, wages, insurance, finance costs and supplier pricing have all moved higher. At the same time, revenue has not always increased at the same pace. For many businesses, the result is simple b
Business·2 September 2025
Important changes for small business employers from 26 August 2025
From 26 August, important workplace law changes now apply to small business employers (those with fewer than 15 employees). While all employers have obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act), small businesses are sometimes given extra time to prepare for new requirements. That “
Business·2 July 2025
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Company Tax and Franking Credits
Most business owners understandably want to minimise tax. So when a company pays 25% corporate tax, it can feel like a hit to your bottom line. But in Australia, company tax isn’t the end of the story — it’s often just a temporary withholding. Thanks to our franking credit system, that tax becomes a
Business·23 April 2024
Stripe Merchant Fees Down From 1 April 2024 – Update your XERO Integration
What is Stripe? Stripe is an online payment processing and credit card processing platform for business, that integrates with XERO to make it easy for customers to pay your invoices. You will save time and effort chasing and tracking down payments since your customers can easily pay by card, when it
Business·8 April 2024
What Does ‘Balancing Account’ Mean in myGov Account?
Ever logged into your myGov account and stumbled upon the term ‘balancing account’? If you’re feeling a bit lost, don’t worry. Simply put, when the ATO tells you that they are balancing your account it means they have the information you provided for your tax return and they are now working out whet
Business·26 March 2024
NDIS Real Estate Investment: A Beginner’s Guide
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has opened new opportunities for real estate investors keen on supporting disability housing while tapping into Australia’s burgeoning market. Through its Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) scheme, the NDIS offers funding, sparking a surge in de
Business·25 January 2024
Everything to Know About the Small Business Export Loan
This program aims to provide businesses with the necessary funds to satisfy their cashflow needs and support their export transactions when their bank is unable to help. It is an unsecured, government-backed loan solution with an easy online application and expedited approvals, targeting businesses
Business·9 January 2024
Payday Super: What Employers Need to Know
In the latest Federal Budget delivered in May 2023, the government announced the introduction of ‘payday super’, which is proposed to come into effect on 1 July 2026. In this article, we will break down the basics of what payday super is, the impact on employers, and why the government has decided t
Business·22 November 2023
A Comprehensive Guide to Staff Parties and Gift Giving
The festive season is upon us, and as businesses prepare to celebrate with staff parties and express gratitude through gift-giving, it’s essential to navigate the intricate landscape of tax implications. In this guide, we’ll focus on the deductibility and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) aspects, ensuring
Business·5 October 2023
Unlock Energy Savings for Your Business: A Guide to the QBEST Rebates Program
As a small business owner in Queensland, you’re constantly seeking avenues to operate more efficiently. Upgrading to energy-efficient devices is a prime method to considerably lower your power bills. The Queensland Government recognises this, and with the introduction of the Queensland Business Ener
Business·19 June 2023
Business insurance tips: align your renewal dates
June 19, 2023 | Business Managing insurance policies can be a complex task for businesses, especially when policies have different renewal dates throughout the year. Generally, when a business first commences operating, it may only apply for a small number of insurance policies. As the business grow
Business·6 June 2023
Streamline Your Employee Spend Management with Weel
June 6, 2023 | Business In a world where cash is becoming a thing of the past, businesses are embracing the advantages of going cashless. This is where Weel can assist. Weel is a platform for managing company spending, complete with virtual corporate cards, and easy integration with XERO. In this ar
Business·31 May 2023
When is a hobby considered a business?
May 31, 2023 | Business The pursuit of a hobby by an individual may be to supplement wages, create income after having lost a job, or to simply follow a passion. With the growth of entrepreneurship, conducting activities to earn income needs to be understood carefully, so that taxpayers are fully aw
Business·16 January 2023
5 Reasons why January is the best time to change Accountants
January 16, 2023 | Business A lot of business owners are not happy with their current accountant, however, they don’t make the choice to change. Why? It has been proven that sometimes people prefer to accept poor quality of something they know, as opposed to going out into the realm of the unknown a
Business·15 November 2022
Business Basics grants funding returns for round 4
November 15, 2022 | Business The next round of the Queensland small business grants program is set to commence shortly. Like Round 3, this round will focus on supporting businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practices. Broadly, the support will include funded activities in five priority
Business·31 October 2022
Key Takeaways From the October 2022 Federal Budget
October 31, 2022 | Business The updated federal Budget for 2022-23 has been delivered. In contrast to the former government’s budget in March 2022, there are no targeted tax concessions for small and medium businesses. Instead, this updated budget is aimed at easing the growing pressure on the cost
Business·7 September 2022
How to massively boost your cashflow with a PAYGW variation
September 7, 2022 | Business What is a PAYG withholding variation and how does it work? Simply put, a PAYG withholding variation is a tool used to free up more cash quickly by predetermining your tax rate based on forecasted taxable deductions and keeping your end of year tax estimate as close to ne
Business·25 August 2022
Major changes to QBCC financial reporting requirements
August 25, 2022 | Business Starting from 1 July 2022, QBCC licence holders will be required to include General Purpose Financial Statements (“GPFS”), as part of submitting a Minimum Financial Requirements Report (“MFR report”). Why General Purpose Financial Statements? Due to the comparable simplici
Business·4 July 2022
Key 2022-23 Queensland Budget measures affecting SMEs
July 4, 2022 | Business The next Queensland State Budget for 2022-23 has been handed down, and includes key changes to payroll tax, transfer duty, land tax and infrastructure. Payroll Tax Small and medium businesses, who have annual taxable wages between $1.3 million and $10.4 million will see an in
Business·29 June 2022
How to finalise Single Touch Payroll in XERO
June 29, 2022 | Business Another financial year down and now its time to finalise your single touch payroll so your employees can complete their tax returns. Payment summaries or group certificates are a thing of the past, which was replaced by single touch payroll a few years ago. If you are opted
Business·23 May 2022
5 reasons why record keeping is critical for your business
May 23, 2022 | Business Keeping accurate and complying records is not only a legal responsibility of anyone carrying on a business, but is also vital for any business that wants to know their performance, therefore, you should give it the attention it requires. With the increasing adoption of bank f
Business·21 April 2022
Get Ready – Round 3 of Business Basics Grants opens 4th of May
April 21, 2022 | Business Update: Round 3 of the Business Basics grants will open for applications as follows: Regional Queensland funding - 9am, Monday 16th of May South East Queensland funding - 9am, Tuesday 17th of May Another round of small business grants program is set to start next month. T
Business·13 April 2022
Director Penalty Notices and what to do if you receive one
April 13, 2022 | Business The ATO has recently issued warnings of director penalty notices (DPN) to businesses with outstanding debt. During COVID-19 the ATO pulled back from actively chasing debt, but now as we come out the other side of the pandemic they will begin to reengage with businesses. The
Business·21 March 2022
Rising fuel prices: is it time to introduce a fuel surcharge in your business?
March 21, 2022 | Business Recent global instability has resulted in surging fuel prices throughout Australia and the world. With no end in sight to these price increases, a larger number of businesses are introducing fuel surcharges (often referred to as fuel levies) as a method to limit the impact
Business·1 March 2022
Breaking: Major relief for disaster victims from Queensland Government
March 1, 2022 | Business In the wake of the extreme weather event lashing across Queensland, the state government has announced emergency funding for affected businesses. Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFAs) are available for businesses in affected areas that need help getting back on thei
Business·2 December 2021
How to get huge wage subsidies for trainees between 2020 and 2022.
December 2, 2021 | Business Update 27 March 2022: Subsidy Extended to 30 June 2022 On 27 March, the Prime Minister announced that the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements subsidy would be extended from its original end date of 31 March 2022 to 30 June 2022. This is fantastic news for small business
Business·20 October 2021
Breaking: Director IDs are coming. Action required for all company directors by 30 November 2022.
October 20, 2021 | Business Update: Information changed on the date directors must obtain a director ID. This date is now 30 November 2022. Are you a director of a company or planning on becoming one? From November 2021, you will need to apply for a Director ID from the Australian Business Registry
Business·20 August 2021
Breaking: Business Basics Grant Round 2 Opening Up for Regional Queensland
August 20, 2021 | Business The Business Basics Grant (BBG) was a new grant introduced by the Queensland Government that is designed to provide support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practices. The state government has decided that it is time for businesses to upskill on what th
Business·6 August 2021
3 things you need to consider when starting a business
August 6, 2021 | Business Starting a business involves planning, making financial decisions, doing market research, and acquiring knowledge in areas you never thought you would learn about before. This article details a few of the first things you must consider in order to start off on the right foo
Business·23 July 2021
A new grant to Boost QLD businesses
July 23, 2021 | Business A total of $2.5 million in grants will be available to small businesses in Queensland as part of the government’s Business Boost Grant Program. Grants of up to $15,000 will be available for businesses to complete projects like; future planning, specialised automated software
Business·30 June 2021
Get it right with Alternative Work Arrangements (WFH)
June 30, 2021 | Business It is now very common for businesses to have alternative work arrangements in place for snap lockdowns like the one we are facing this week. These changes include working from home, changes in rosters, and hours of work. There have been temporary changes to increase award fl
Business·18 June 2021
The Annual Wage Review - What you need to do and when
June 18, 2021 | Business The Fair Work Commission wage panel has announced a 2.5% increase to the national minimum wage starting 1 July 2021. The decision was based on a premise that the economy has ‘exceeded expectations’ and that a recovery was well underway, there are no expectations of extended
Business·11 June 2021
4 critical mistakes people make with their bookkeeping
June 11, 2021 | Business Having a strong finance function is an imperative part of your business. With this, you must ensure that your bookkeeping is done correctly so that your figures are accurate so that you can assess your business position. When your numbers are right, you can forecast and have
Business·10 June 2021
Why you need meaningful Cashflow and Budget reports
June 10, 2021 | Business Is the first thing that comes to mind, when you hear Cashflow and Budgets, an endless spreadsheet that is hard to read and it needs endless updates? Well, that is one way to do it but there are other ways that are less boring and less complex. The end goal…
Business·24 May 2021
What you need to know about STP and the concessions ending June 2021.
May 24, 2021 | Business Most businesses now report their payroll information via Single Touch Payroll or more commonly known as STP. However, you may not have known but small employers (under 19) have had some concessions when it comes to reporting their own wages (closely held/related). Well, these
Business·21 May 2021
The real cost of late payments and how to reduce them
May 21, 2021 | Business Poor cashflow is the main cause of small business failure and late payments is one big part of it. Some of the impacts a small business will face due to late payments are, as we mentioned, poor cashflow, finance costs, admin costs, debt collection costs, and although hard to
Business·17 May 2021
FAQs on depreciation for business owners
May 17, 2021 | Business Depreciation, as a general definition is the expensing of the reduction in value of an asset due to the natural wear and tear of an asset over time. As business owners, if you own commercial buildings, vehicles, or equipment, you will most definitely be dealing with depreciat
Business·17 May 2021
The top 8 reasons why staff leave
May 17, 2021 | Business Australia is facing a shortage of skilled labour. When the supply of staff dries up the focus often turns to retention. But the first step is to understand why the people you want to stay, choose to move on. Very few people will reveal the whole truth about why they…
Business·14 May 2021
What you need to know about the new Director IDs
May 14, 2021 | Business All Directors will be required to register for a unique identification number that they will keep for life. Why? ASIC currently does not verify the identity of Directors and any name could be registered as a Director. Under the new regime, all Directors will need to verify
Business·12 May 2021
The ultimate business owners guide to the 2021 Federal bounce back budget
May 12, 2021 | Business As opposed to a structural reform, this year’s federal budget is centred around the idea of facilitating the flow of funds to boost the economy - Hence the affectionate name ‘the bounce back’ budget. Ultimately, we see no substantial changes to the tax system, as the fundamen
Business·30 March 2021
Female Founder Grant
March 30, 2021 | Business This federal program, as the name suggests, is targeted at supporting female founded (majority owned and led by women) start ups who are looking to scale their business into domestic and global markets. Key information: Close date 22 April 2021 Grant amount between $25,00
Business·30 March 2021
Why is it important to pay superannuation on time?
March 30, 2021 | Business If you hire employees in your business, superannuation is something you would need to budget for when calculating your cost. Under the superannuation guarantee, employers must pay superannuation contribution of 9.5% (2020/2021) of an employee’s ordinary time earnings if an
Business·18 March 2021
5 Automation tricks to boost your business efficiency.
March 18, 2021 | Business The core of automation focuses on implementing a system to complete a task (mainly repetitive) without the need for human intervention. Therefore, you first need to focus on those things you do that are repetitive. There are hundreds of opportunities to automate and most of
Business·10 March 2021
What is the lucrative R&D Tax Incentive and how do I apply?
March 10, 2021 | Business During these uncertain times, many organisations are taking extraordinary steps to try and steady the ship and continue business as usual. Subsidies like JobKeeper and the Cash Flow Boost are extremely well known, however, how much do you know about the R&D Tax Incentive? T
Business·26 February 2021
Hiring a contractor vs an employee: all you need to know.
February 26, 2021 | Business Business is booming and you need an extra set of hands to keep on top of the workload, that’s great news. You are now ready to hire some extra help. With seemingly more obligations to engage an employee than to hire a contractor, it would be easier just to get…
Business·24 February 2021
How to hire and pay family members
February 24, 2021 | Business “Small and family businesses are the engine room of our economy” - Scott Morrison has been repeating this statement over the last year during the pandemic. There are a number of measures in place to support these businesses. One of them is to postpone the Single Touch Pa
Business·17 February 2021
5 ways to stay on top of software subscription expenses
February 17, 2021 | Business Almost all the software available for businesses is now subscription based. And although most of them seem to be affordable individually, you can easily accumulate a large monthly expense. 1. Review and analyse what you are paying now Studies have shown that on average
Business·17 February 2021
4 Vital business expenses worth reviewing
February 17, 2021 | Business It is hard to know whether you are using the best products and services for your business. Business owners’ top priority is to get bang for their buck, and without proper guidance, this can be difficult to achieve. This article details 4 expenses you should review, and d
Business·20 January 2021
Extremely competitive Round 3 of the Community Childcare Fund is now open!
January 20, 2021 | Business There is up to $117.4 million available under this grant opportunity. The purpose of these grants is to support services in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. Funding will be available under three elements: sustainability, community, and capital. Eligible applicant
Business·13 January 2021
4 Costly legal obligations some employers don’t know about
January 13, 2021 | Business With the new year underway, now is the time to take the courageous step of hiring the employee your business needs. You must ensure that your legal obligations are met, as the consequences can be brutal if they aren’t. This article summarises a few key obligations which m
Business·6 January 2021
5 Crucial reasons to change accountants in the new year
January 6, 2021 | Business A lot of business owners are not happy with their current accountant, however, they don’t make the choice to change. Why? It has been proven that sometimes people prefer to accept poor quality of something they know, as opposed to going out in the realm of the unknown and
Business·2 November 2020
3 reasons better insight is vital for your business
November 2, 2020 | Business Every organization has leaders that set the direction of the business and provide guidance for both its employees and business growth. But how do they effectively and efficiently execute the process in doing so? Where do they start? Whom should they reach out to get fresh
Business·20 October 2020
Should I run multiple businesses out of one company?
October 20, 2020 | Business When setting up a company, you might be thinking to yourself, can I run multiple businesses through this? The answer you’re looking for is yes, however it does come with a few things to consider. What is Corporate Personality? Corporate personality means that a company
Business·26 August 2020
Important information about changes to accrual of personal/carer’s leave.
August 26, 2020 | Business The High Court has handed down a decision on August 13th which clarifies how paid personal/carer’s leave is accrued for part time and full time staff. The changes brought about by this case are essential for business owners to understand, so we’ve created this guide to ass
Business·5 August 2020
Online training for small business
August 5, 2020 | Business If your business has been impacted by COVID-19 you are most likely searching for ways in which you can recover and get your business back on track. You may be unsure on which direction to take, or need help developing the right skills to turn your business back on track.…
Business·9 July 2020
Managing debtors and cashflow for small business owners
July 9, 2020 | Accounting, Business, Tips and Tricks Managing debtors (otherwise known as accounts receivable) is a requirement of doing business for most businesses, small and large. A key aspect of well managed cashflow is keeping the gap between receiving money from customers and paying money to
Business·25 June 2020
A 1.75% increase to the minimum wage has been announced.
June 25, 2020 | Business, Tips and Tricks A 1.75% increase to the minimum wage is on its way from 1 July 2020. This increase will apply to all awards, but the starting point for specific increases will be rolled out over three stages depending on the award applicable to your business. As most employ
Business·19 June 2020
Step by step procedure to grant applications
June 19, 2020 | Business Given recent circumstances, grants are being utilised more and more due to the unchartered waters we all are navigating. Grants can be a complex and daunting process for anyone going through it for the first time. These grants are effective for cashflow issues, strategic pro
Business·12 June 2020
What are capital works deductions?
June 12, 2020 | Business Understanding tax depreciation lingo can sometimes be confusing but, as an investor, it’s important to have a good understanding of the depreciation deductions you can claim to ensure you’re always getting the most out of your investment property. As outlined by the Australi
Business·9 June 2020
2020 Business Tax Planning Strategies
June 9, 2020 | Accounting, Business, Tax With the impact of COVID-19 on your business, whether directly or indirectly, tax planning for 2020 is essential. It is critical that you take every opportunity to optimise your tax and financial position before the 30 June 2020 deadline, even if your busines
Business·1 May 2020
6 Mobile Apps Helping Small Business Owners Thrive
May 1, 2020 | Business The right app can make almost any task easier, and this extends to running a small business too. With business owners often having to do a wide range of tasks with barely enough time to complete them all, having a great app to help out may just make things run…
Business·10 March 2020
How To Find A Great Business Idea
So, you want to join the exciting world of small business, be your own boss and shape your own career? All it takes is a great idea and you can get started. The trick is to find this great idea and run with it. Some ideas are crazy, and others are boring, but they still work. There are…
Business·25 September 2019
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Family Trust for your Business
A trust is a type of business structure often used by family businesses. In this structure, a trustee, who is either an individual or a company, will carry out the operations of the trust on behalf of the beneficiaries. Governing the trust is a Trust Deed which details all the rights and obligations
Business·29 August 2019
Why The Government Is Stopping Businesses From Accepting Cash Payments Of $10,000 Or More
As of January 1st, 2020, the Government intends to stop businesses making or accepting payments at or over $10,000. This will mean all payments exceeding the limit will need to be made electronically or by cheque. Ignoring this limit will become a criminal offence, you could potentially face penalti