Business & Commercial Law

From 1 October 2026, businesses across Australia will no longer be permitted to apply surcharges on debit and credit card payments. This significant reform, introduced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), is aimed at simplifying payments for consumers and improving transparency in pricing. For business owners, however, the changes raise important operational and legal

Australia’s property market is undergoing a significant regulatory shift. From 1 July 2026, new anti-money laundering (AML) laws will expand into the property sector. This will directly impact buyers, sellers, and the professionals who assist them. For anyone involved in property transactions, understanding these changes is crucial. Why are these changes being introduced? Australia’s real

Defining ‘Casual Employment’ As of 26 August 2024, a new definition of casual employment under section 15A of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) applies to employees who began working on or after this date. This change, part of the Closing Loopholes reforms, redefines what it means to be engaged as a casual employee. For

The scope of the unfair contract terms (‘UCT’) regime has recently expanded. Businesses, including small business, are now potentially exposed to substantial penalties for any failure to comply with these regulations. These amendments take effect from 9 November 2023, under the Australian Consumer Law (‘ACL’) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth).

Employers who force their employees to work on public holidays with no option to take the day off could find themselves in hot water, thanks to a recent landmark case in the Federal Court of Australia. The Court found that mining giant BHP breached section 114 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) by forcing

Introduction An incorporated limited partnership (“ILP”) is a type of partnership structured around the traditional model with some important differences.   Set out below are the various ILP structures, what they are, the legislation with which they must comply and their use in Australia. Partnerships A partnership is a common business structure that involves two or more persons