On 1 July 2023, award rates of pay and the National Minimum Wage increased by 5.75%.
It is critically important that all employers review their payroll systems and ensure they are applying the correct
rates and Awards. The National Minimum Wage applies to workers not covered by an Award or registered agreement.
From 1 July 2023, the National Minimum wage has increased to $23.23 per hour ($882.80 per week for a full time employee working a
standard 38 hours week). For casuals, the minimum wage including the 25% casual loading is a minimum of $29.04 per hour.
For workers under an Award, adult minimum award wages increase by 5.75% applied from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2023.
Proportionate increases apply to junior workers, apprentice and supported wages.
In addition, the superannuation guarantee increased from 10.5% to 11% on 1 July 2023.
If the employment agreement with your workers states the employee is paid on a ‘total remuneration’ basis (base plus
SG and any other allowances), then their take home pay might be reduced by 0.5%.
That is, a greater percentage of their total remuneration will be directed to their superannuation fund. For employees paid a rate plus
superannuation, then their take home pay will remain the same and the 0.5% increase will be added to their SG payments.
We want our people to be the best they can be.
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Please note: This event is not until March 2027 — AI agent technology is moving fast, so the workshop content will continue to evolve to bring you the latest of what is happening in the AI agent space.
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MORNINGTON with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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Please note: This event is not until February 2027 — AI agent technology is moving fast, so the workshop content will continue to evolve to bring you the latest of what is happening in the AI agent space.
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in PERTH with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in GOLD COAST with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MORNINGTON with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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INVESTOR BRIEFING — JOINTLY PRESENTED BY SMART BUSINESS SOLUTIONS & AREA SPECIALIST
Thursday 29 October, 5:30-7:30pm, $20 per person — 100% donated to Mornington Community Support Services, Mt Martha Lifesaving Club, Mount Martha
The property rules changed — negative gearing, capital gains and more. Join SMART Business Solutions and Lauren Wild of Area
Specialist for a joint evening briefing on the 2026 tax reforms for residential property investors, plus live residential and commercial
market updates from two local experts. Find out whether the changes affect you — and what is worth doing before 1 July 2027.
Reserve a seat »
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Lunch & Learn Workshop // Friday 19 February, 2027 - 12:00 - 2:30pm
$75 (incl. GST)pp includes drink on arrival & a wonderful two course Italian lunch - antipasto, pasta & pizza. Be prepared!
Bridging the gap between legal and financial expertise in family law. Many practitioners see the legal issue, but the strongest
outcomes for separating clients come from understanding the numbers behind the matter. This practical session provides family lawyers with
the financial fluency to spot issues early, guide clients with confidence, and collaborate more effectively with accountants and financial
advisers.
Falling behind on your BAS lodgements looks like an administrative problem. Left long enough, it becomes an expensive one, because the GST you collected stays payable indefinitely while the GST credits you are owed disappear after four years. Here is what that looks like in dollars.
With negative gearing now quarantined for established dwellings, new house and land has become the sensible play for investors — but there is a trap in the first eighteen months. Interest on the land is denied, while interest on the construction is not. If the bank has written one loan, someone has to do the sums. Here is why it pays to split the loan before you sign.
When the draft legislation for the trust minimum tax was released, it came with a reassurance: if you do not want to restructure, you can simply make an election instead — no restructure, and no state stamp duty. That is accurate, but it is also a very small part of the decision. Here is why you should choose your structure for the eventual sale of your business, not for the announcement.
Treasury has released the draft legislation for the new 30% minimum tax on family trusts. From 1 July 2028, income earned by a family trust will carry a minimum tax of 30 per cent, paid by the trustee. Here is what it says in plain terms, what is not caught, and why the decisions worth making need to happen well before 2028.
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Fundraising Evening // 9 October, 2026 - 5:30 - 7:30pm
$35pp includes a welcome drink & nibbles
An evening of networking, meaningful conversation and fundraising with Wayne Holdsworth, supporting the vital work of SmackTalk and helping
create safer online communities.
The ATO will stop accepting direct credit card payments from 1 July 2027 — after the ATO extended the original deadline of 1 December 2026 to 30 June 2027 following community feedback — requiring businesses and individuals to switch to alternative payment methods such as debit card, BPAY, EFT or bank account direct debit. While the change affects only a small percentage of taxpayers, businesses that rely on credit cards to manage cash flow or fund ATO payment plans should act now to update arrangements, avoid missed payments and prepare for the cash flow impact of having tax obligations funded from available business funds.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Downsizing, Retirement Living & Future Care event. Access the presentation slides and materials here.
LIVE INFORMATION EVENING
Wednesday 7 October, 5:30-7:30pm
Most families don't start thinking about retirement living or aged care until they're forced to make decisions quickly. Join us for an informative evening covering retirement living, future care planning, downsizing considerations, aged care costs, estate
preservation and strategies to help families make informed decisions before they become urgent. Designed for retirees, adult children and families looking to better understand their options and plan ahead with confidence.
Following the latest RBA cash rate increase, borrowing costs and financial pressure may rise for households, investors and business owners. We explain what the decision means and why now is a sensible time to review your lending, cash flow and broader financial strategy.
SMART Business Solutions is proud to support the Mornington Community Support Centre (MCSC) and The Ranch.
MCSC has been a lifeline on the Mornington Peninsula since 1971, providing emergency relief, food assistance, crisis accommodation, and practical support to local people doing it tough. From their hub at 320 Main Street, Mornington, their small team and volunteers help hundreds of individuals and families every year.
The Ranch is MCSC's crisis housing initiative — the Peninsula's only dedicated crisis accommodation. The original Ranch Motel ran for five years, housing 250 people who were sleeping rough, with 60% of those supported into permanent housing outcomes. Following its closure in 2026, MCSC launched Ranch 2.0: a block of seven units in Mornington, generously provided by the Payton and Upotipotpon Foundations under a five-year lease at no cost, and renovated in 2025 through an incredible community-led effort by the Peninsula's Rotary groups, local businesses, schools and volunteers.
We support MCSC because no one in our community should live in a tent. Their work turns crisis into stability for our neighbours, and we're honoured to play a small part in it.
Learn more about The Ranch and Ranch 2.0
Sale and leaseback is often effective with assets that have a clear, assessable market value and a reasonable remaining useful life.
A number of projects with development approval are now contingent on tenant commitments before construction begins, a shift likely to push delivery timelines into 2028 and beyond.
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Lunch & Learn Workshop // 18 September, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
Many business owners believe growth comes from more sales. But in reality, the strongest and most profitable
businesses grow by improving how the business works, not just by selling more. This session is designed to change that. The
5-Critical Financial Metrics
is a practical workshop that shows you where small, targeted changes can create disproportionately big improvements in profit, cashflow and
sustainability.
Hiring entertainers, promotional staff or event contractors for your Christmas function could create superannuation obligations you didn't expect.
Helping a family member buy a property may seem straightforward, but the way ownership is structured today could have significant tax consequences years down the track.
Working from home could have tax implications long after you've stopped claiming deductions. Here's what every business owner should know.
ASIC's director ID data matching is set to expose outdated company records. A quick review now could save you time, stress and unnecessary penalties later.
Just announced this week, draft legislation and explanatory materials with 15 DAY Consultation period!! Enough to give you a headache! These are NOT BETTER FOR YOU. It proposes an alternative to restructuring that would allow existing discretionary trusts to avoid the 30% minimum tax by fixing beneficiaries’ entitlements to income and capital, an apparently simple election with potentially significant long-term consequences.
Darwin has become Australia's standout property market, recording house price growth of around 16 per cent and unit price growth of around 13 per cent
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Friday 31 August, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Join our practical,
educational workshop designed to help business owners understand the lending process and in preparation for funding conversations, learn how lending decisions are really made and what banks actually look for.
The start of a new financial year is an ideal moment to review your existing equipment finance commitments.
Industrial property maintained its position as the market's safest option, with gross yields holding relatively stable over the quarter following modest compression across most major cities.
Our annual compliance guide highlights key accounting, tax and business obligations throughout the financial year, including BAS, IAS, WorkCover, payroll, tax return and EOFY planning dates.
The auction environment is deliberately designed to create competition and momentum. Bidding can move quickly, and it is easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment.
Retail property has emerged as the standout performer in Australia's commercial property sector, with approximately $13 billion.
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Tuesday 25 August, 10:00am-12:00pm
This practical, confidence-building session is designed to give business owners control. Know Your Numbers is a hands-on workshop created specifically for non-financial business owners who want clarity and confidence in their decision-making.
Understanding this before you apply helps set realistic expectations and makes it easier to compare what different lenders are offering you rather than what they advertise.
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Monday 24 August, 5:30-7:30pm
This practical, education-first session helps business owners cut through the confusion and take back control of their business insurance
decisions.
Financing an older vehicle is a common goal, but it comes with a set of challenges that do not apply in the same way to newer cars.
Spring is consistently the busiest period of the year for Australian property, with more listings, open homes and competition than at any other time.
As income grows, it's easy for spending to grow with it. This article explores practical strategies to help you make the most of your strongest earning years and build greater financial freedom for the future.
B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 brought together business owners, leaders and innovators for a day of inspiration, learning and connection. Take a look back at the highlights from another successful event.
Many SMSF members assume their Will determines who receives their super. However, without the right SMSF arrangements in place, the outcome may not be what you intended.
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Monday 10 August, 5:30-7:30pm
This practical session, in collaboration with the Mornington Peninsula Shire as part of the Small Business Festival, helps small business
owners understand AI and automation and shows how small businesses can use smarter tools to reduce manual work, improve accuracy and
create more capacity for growth.
The ATO has updated its approach to holiday homes and short-term rentals, potentially affecting deductions claimed by some property owners. Understanding how your property is used could help you avoid surprises at tax time.
If family overseas is planning to send you money, it's important to have the right records in place. A recent court case highlights how difficult things can become when documentation is missing
| Borrowing through a family trust can be effective, but the wrong structure could put valuable interest deductions at risk. |
Conference // 5 August, 2026 - ALL DAY EVENT
The B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 is the Mornington Peninsula’s premier event for bold business owners ready to rethink what’s
possible, reinvent how they operate, and reignite their growth. Hear from global keynote speakers including Grant Hackett, Andrew Griffiths
and Kate Christie plus local business innovators.
| Received an ASIC renewal or company review notice in the mail? Before you pay, here's how to spot third-party correspondence and avoid unnecessary costs. |
| Planning to buy property through your SMSF? A key rule change from 10 August 2026 could impact your options. Understanding the deadline now may help you avoid missing an important opportunity. |
| Working more than one job this year? You could end up paying less tax throughout the year and more at tax time. Here's why it happens and how to avoid an unexpected bill. |
The headlines say negative gearing is "gone." For most investors, that is not what the new law does.
From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount will be replaced — for individuals, trusts and partnerships — by two mechanisms working together: indexation of the asset's cost base, and a minimum 30% tax on the resulting net gain.
Since the beginning of 2025, 62 per cent of occupiers leasing more than 1,000 square metres have either expanded or maintained their footprint.
Darwin's commercial property sector is strengthening with rising rents.
| SMART Business Solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Underhill as Partner, recognising his outstanding contribution to the firm and the clients he supports every day. |
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Smart Business Solutions is proud to announce that Ryan Smit, an accounting student at RMIT University and Assistant Accountant at SMART Business Solutions, has been named Accounting Student of the Year, recognised for his forward-thinking approach to the profession and his commitment to integrating AI, intelligent workflows and technology into modern accounting practice.
For many business owners, superannuation is something that gets attention in June — when tax planning comes into focus. But the real opportunity lies in planning your super contributions at the start of the financial year, not the end.
The new financial year has officially clicked over – and with it comes the trio of mid-year obligations every employer needs on the radar: Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisation, WorkCover declarations, and Payroll Tax annual reconciliation.
On 26 June 2026, the Federal Government passed a significant change to how Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) can invest in residential property. New Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to purchase residential property inside an SMSF will be banned from approximately 10 August 2026 — 45 days after Royal Assent.
Grant Hackett joins Shannon Smit to share what it takes to perform at the highest level - from Olympic success to leading an ASX-listed business. This episode unpacks the mindset, discipline and leadership habits that drive long-term success, including key lessons on consistency, blind spots and building sustainable high performance.
The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5 per cent deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
The 2026 Federal Budget proposed the most significant changes to residential property tax settings in a generation.
How a business crosses the 30 June line matters more than many owners realise
From 1 July 2025, interest charges on business tax debt were also deemed non-deductible by the ATO, increasing the real cost of carrying that debt.
Commercial property investors are increasingly focused on asset quality over broad sector performance.
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AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MELBOURNE with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using cutting-edge
Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in BRISBANE with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using cutting-edge Agentic
AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants, bookkeepers, finance teams,
and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical system for everyday work.
A caravan loan can make the upfront cost manageable, but it’s the ongoing expenses that can catch first-time owners off guard.
Fixing your rate can offer certainty, but it also involves trade-offs that are worth understanding before making a decision.
Lenders calculate how much you can borrow based on your income, existing debts, living expenses and other financial commitments.
Business Growth brings its own financial pressures, and cash flow is often where those pressures first show up. It’s a pattern that catches many business owners off guard.
| The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its 2026 Annual Wage Review, and the numbers are in. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage will rise by 5.97%, and modern award minimum rates will increase by 4.75%. |
The luxury residential sector is experiencing uneven performance across Australia's major cities.
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WEBINAR // 28 May, 2026 - 12:30 - 1:15pm
From 1 July 2026, Australian employers must pay super on payday - not quarterly. Join us on Wednesday 28 May for a practical 45-minute briefing on what Payday Super actually requires, where the risks are for small businesses, and the steps you can take right now.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway - all registrations will receive access to the recording to your inbox.
Rental performance is increasingly fragmented across the country.
Consumer habits have shifted markedly, with daily convenience trips now replacing the traditional big-shop model, turning neighbourhood and convenience centres.
Australian farmland prices are expected to continue their modest growth trajectory in 2026, with the median price per hectare forecast to increase by two per cent.
Lunch & Learn Workshop // 22 May, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
This session is designed to change that. Pricing, Profit &
Your Ideal Client
is a practical workshop that helps you understand where your
profit really comes from,
how pricing decisions affect margins, and why working with clients that align with your business makes a measurable difference to both
profit and cashflow.
Buy now, pay later can be cost-effective if you pay on time.
Institutional capital is flowing back into Australian commercial property as market fundamentals strengthen, with experienced investors moving ahead of broader market confidence.
Now's the time to review what strategies you can use to minimise your tax before 30 June.
Making strategic investments in new assets before EOFY can position your business for growth in the year ahead.
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The Federal Budget, delivered on the night of May 12 2026, was one of the most significant in years. We know you will have questions — and we have put together this document to answer the ones we are hearing most.
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The 2026–27 Federal Budget brings major changes to CGT, negative gearing, trusts and super. Find out what it means for you and your business.
This established production business was growing. A diverse team crossing over from admin, trades and operations. The team were all getting on with it, but with no real structure in place, the cracks were starting to show.
Like a lot of growing businesses, revenue looked strong on paper, but timing was the issue. Jobs didn’t always start when expected, expenses were creeping up, and there was no clear visibility on when cash would be coming in versus going out.
This client was a solid, established manufacturing business selling both wholesale and direct to retail customers. They knew their numbers mattered, but their engagement and active management was inconsistent and the lack of rhythm and accountability, impacted their bottom line and decision making.
The ATO has released Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2026/D2, and it’s very clear where they’re focusing next, property development structures, particularly where land ownership and development activities are split.
New equipment is essential to growth. Whether it’s machinery, vehicles, or specialised technology, the right assets could improve efficiency, increase production, and help secure larger contracts.
What if time wasn’t your biggest constraint – but your biggest opportunity? In this episode of The Accountant That Builds Podcast, we are joined by Kate Christie, internationally recognised time management expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Kate has spent more than two decades helping business owners, leaders and teams take control of their time, energy and priorities.
What does it really take to stop discounting yourself and start charging what you’re truly worth? In this episode of the The Accountant That Builds Podcast, host Shannon Smit sits down with Andrew Griffiths, Australia’s #1 small business author and one of the most respected voices in business and personal growth.
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Even when sales are strong and invoices are being issued regularly, delayed payments could create bottlenecks that make it difficult to cover everyday expenses.
Brisbane and Perth recorded the most affordable office fit-out costs in the country at an average of $934 per square metre.
Industrial property delivered total returns of 8.6 per cent in December 2025, with capital growth of 4.1 per cent, the strongest of any major asset class.
Commercial property markets have returned to positive capital growth after two years of adjustment.
Before applying for a caravan loan, it’s important to understand what you could comfortably afford.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.
A sudden repair bill could feel overwhelming, especially if it arrives at the wrong time financially.
An open home provides a valuable opportunity to observe not just the property itself, but also the surrounding area.
Managing your personal expenses in the face of the rising cost of living. We run through a live demo of our detailed 12-month personal budget worksheet so you know how you can effectively use this tool yourself.
Many first home buyers focus primarily on the purchase price of a property and the size of their loan repayments.
Prestige apartments have been the strongest market segment in the last few years.
National weekly house rents have reached $650 and unit rents $625, with annual growth running at 4.8 per cent for houses and 4.2 per cent for units.
In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit explores what financial literacy really means and why it matters so much for everyday Australians. She breaks the concept down in practical, real life terms and explains why so many capable, intelligent people still feel confused, overwhelmed, or behind when it comes to money.
To maximise your deductions and ensure that your tax return is complete, please review the following items and advise your Accountant if any apply to you.
Falling behind on your BAS lodgements looks like an administrative problem. Left long enough, it becomes an expensive one, because the GST you collected stays payable indefinitely while the GST credits you are owed disappear after four years. Here is what that looks like in dollars.
With negative gearing now quarantined for established dwellings, new house and land has become the sensible play for investors — but there is a trap in the first eighteen months. Interest on the land is denied, while interest on the construction is not. If the bank has written one loan, someone has to do the sums. Here is why it pays to split the loan before you sign.
When the draft legislation for the trust minimum tax was released, it came with a reassurance: if you do not want to restructure, you can simply make an election instead — no restructure, and no state stamp duty. That is accurate, but it is also a very small part of the decision. Here is why you should choose your structure for the eventual sale of your business, not for the announcement.
