There are many aspects of legal obligation and compliance that apply to a business owner.

We recommend you review this list to become aware of all the areas that may apply to your business.

This list is not exhaustive. There may be other obligations that apply to your business; for example, if you are in a regulated industry or not-for-profit or import/export business there may be additional compliance requirements.

Taxes

GST

• ATO – GST for Small Business

Payroll Tax

• Business.gov.au – Payroll Tax

PAYG

• ATO – PAYG Withholding

FBT

• ATO – Fringe Benefits Tax

Land Tax

• Business.gov.au – Land Tax

ATO Lodgements

• Business Tax Enquiries line 13 28 66

• Details of the 2015-2016 Program
• Lodging and Paying Your BAS

Legal Considerations

• Treasury – Legal help Guide for Small Business
• Business.gov.au – Legal essentials for Business

Registrations and Licenses

• business.gov.au – Business licence Information Service in your state or territory
• Check your local council for licenses and registrations that may be necessary.

Industry Considerations

• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Industry and Professional Associations in your state:

• ACT – Innovation, Trade and Investment
• NSW – Business in New South Wales
• NT – Dept of Business
• QLD – Queensland Government Business and Industry Portal
• SA – Dept of State Development Industry and Business
• TAS – Business Tasmania
• VIC – Business Victoria
• WA – Small Business Development Corporation

Insurances

Do you need any or all of the following?

• Business Insurance
• Public Liability Insurance
• Product Liability Insurance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Income Protection Insurance
• Directors and Officers Insurance

Fair Trade

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
• Business.gov.au – Fair Trading
• ACT – Office of Regulatory Services
• NSW – Dept of Fair Trading
• NT – Consumer Affairs
• QLD – Office of Fair Trading
• SA – Consumer and Business Services
• TAS – Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading
• VIC – Consumer Affairs Victoria
• WA – Consumer Protection

ASIC

• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

Record Keeping and Accounting

• ATO – Record Keeping Essentials

Intellectual Property

• IP Australia

Emergency Planning

• Business.gov.au – Emergency Management Template and Guide

Standards and Codes of Practice

• ACCC – Industry Codes

Dispute Resolution

Business/General

• Business.gov.au – Dispute Resolution

Employees

• Fair Work – Effective Dispute Resolution
• Fair Work Commission – Resolving Issues Disputes and Dismissals

Employing Workers

• ATO – Employer Obligations Checklist

Modern Awards, Entitlements, Allowances and the NES

• Fair Work – Awards and Agreements
• Fair Work Ombudsman
• Fair Work – National Employment Standards

 Policies and Procedures and Staff Manual

Search web for examples or talk to Workforce Guardian

Business Victoria has some great templates

Keeping Employee Records

• Fair Work – Payslips and Record Keeping
• Fair Work Sheets – Rights and Obligations

 Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination

• Business.gov.au – Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination

Superannuation

• ATO – Super for Employers

Contractors vs Employees

• ATO – Common Myths
• ATO – Employee or Contractor
• ATO – Difference Between Employees and Contractors
• ATO – Employee or Contractor Decision Tool
• Business.gov.au – Independent Contractors

Occupational Health and Safety

• Business.gov.au – Occupational Health and Safety

• See also your state’s information on Workcover

Workcover

• ACT – Worksafe ACT NSW – WorkCover NSW NT – NTWorkSafe
• QLD – WorkCover Queensland
• SA – WorkCover SA
• TAS – WorkCover Tasmania
• VIC – Victorian WorkCover Authority
• WA – WorkCover WA

General Assistance

• Business Enterprise Centres Australia
• ATO – Webinars
• Business.gov.au – Starting your Business Checklist (PDF)
• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise – Starting a Business

Privacy

• Office of Australian Information Commissioner – Privacy

Please let us know if you require advice or information on any of these areas, or other specialised areas; we are happy to assist.

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