Losing someone you love is hard enough without confusing paperwork. Probate is the Supreme Court of NSW's confirmation that a will is valid, so the executor can act on it. This guide explains what probate is, when it's needed, and what to expect.

From 1 October 2026, card surcharges are banned across Australia. Businesses can no longer add extra fees at the register, and must build processing costs into their pricing instead. This guide covers what's changing, key compliance dates through to April 2027, and what it means for your contracts and client agreements.

In Australia, many proprietary companies operate without a formal Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA). In such a case, the legal framework for your internal governance is based on the Company Constitution, followed by the "Replaceable Rules" under the Corporations Act 2001. However, when disputes arise, relying on these frameworks can be inefficient, as they were not designed to resolve personal or professional conflicts.

Smart Rental Bonds have been available to every renter in NSW since 16 September 2026. They let tenants move their bond to a new rental instead of paying two. Here's who's eligible and why landlords and agents see no change and no financial risk.

From 10 December 2026, privacy policies must disclose where a business uses personal information in automated decision-making. This covers far more than obvious AI tools, including intake portals, eligibility questionnaires, chatbots, and scheduling systems. Here is a practical, five-category audit process for identifying which of your systems actually need to be disclosed.

A fixed December 2026 deadline for automated decision-making disclosure sits alongside a broader wave of proposed privacy reform in Australia. This covers what's already in force under the 2024 Act, what Tranche 2 could introduce next, and what businesses should prioritise now versus later.

Chasing unpaid invoices for weeks is exhausting, and often unnecessary. The Security of Payment Act gives NSW builders, subcontractors, and suppliers a fast, statutory pathway to get paid without heading to court. Miss a deadline as the respondent, though, and you could end up liable for the full claimed amount. Here's how it works.

Imagine finding the perfect investment property for your Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), signing the contract, and eagerly waiting for construction to wrap up. Then, news breaks that the Australian Government has banned limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) for residential super investments. If your off-the-plan settlement is still 6 to 12 months away, you are left asking a very natural and stressful question: Is my loan going to fall through before settlement?

If you run a real estate agency or work across the Australian property sector, you’ve probably heard the buzz about the new anti-money laundering (AML) laws that just kicked in on 1 July 2026. These changes are a massive step forward in protecting our property market, but they also mean a bit of extra homework for you and your team. We want to break down exactly what this means for your day-to-day operations so you can feel completely in control.

When you think about estate planning, a Will is usually the very first thing that comes to mind. But here's a reality check that many people miss: a Will does nothing for you while you're alive. It only speaks for you after you've passed away. If an unexpected accident, temporary illness, or sudden injury renders you unable to make your own decisions, a Will cannot intervene.

Influencer marketing is a core aspect of social media and has become a global industry. Many businesses around the world, including in Australia, work with influencers and social media personalities to promote their products and services. While these partnerships can be extremely profitable, they are also legally binding. If you are an Australian business considering influencer marketing, it is worth looking into the legal framework and regulations.

In November 2025, the NSW Parliament passed the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Act 2025, which is the most significant overhaul of the NSW planning system in decades. Over time, the planning system had become overly complex, slowing critical housing projects and stifling investment and job creation throughout the state. With the latest round of changes now live from 21 March 2026, the reforms are designed to cut through the bottlenecks that have long slowed housing and infrastructure delivery across NSW.

On 1 July 2026, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Act 2025 fundamentally changed how employers pay superannuation in Australia. This landmark legislation updated the existing Superannuation Guarantee (SG) framework to require you to pay super contributions on each payday, replacing the quarterly payment cycle that many businesses relied on for decades.

While the government introduced a 30% minimum tax on certain trusts, discretionary testamentary trusts remain completely exempt. Read our comprehensive estate planning guide to understand the new compliance boundaries, asset protection benefits, and tax-free distribution limits for your beneficiaries.