A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey found that 46.9% of businesses surveyed used some kind of restraint clause, including for workers in non-executive roles. The survey also found 20.8% of businesses use non-compete clauses for at least some of their staff and 68.2% for more than three-quarters of their employees.
Over the last 30 years, Australia has seen a decline in job mobility. Australia is not alone in this and other advanced economies have
experienced the same issue. While restraint clauses are not the only factor contributing to the decline – an ageing population and a rise in
post-pandemic market concentration in some industries has also contributed, it is specifically the role of restraints that is the focus of
the Competition Review issues paper (submissions close 31 May 2024).
From an economic perspective, declining job mobility impacts wage growth and innovation as restraints prevent access to skilled workers
within the economy. Productivity is a key concern as Australia’s productivity has declined in the last 20 years.
The review states that, “The direct consequence of a non-compete clause is that it hinders competition among businesses: it disincentivises
workers from leaving their current job, creating a barrier to the entry of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses.”
For business however, this is the point - restricting the knowledge developed by a worker during their employment from benefiting a
competitor, limiting the likelihood of a ‘mass exodus’ of key workers from the business to a competitor, preventing clients from employing
key workers, and protecting the value of the business by preventing employees from walking away with customers that were hard won, at a
cost, by the business.
However, the impact of restraints appears to be a psychological deterrent given that most are not contested. Of the 115 matters relating to
restraints of trade between 2020 and 2023 dealt with by Legal Aid NSW, only one business commenced proceedings in court against a former
worker. And, a further study indicates that where employers seek legal redress in the courts, they are more likely than not to fail.
The international trend is to either ban restraints for workers under a certain income level and time limit restraints for higher paid
workers, or to limit the duration of restraints generally but specify a level of compensation to the worker for the restraint period.
| Non-compete clauses | prevent workers from joining a competitor or starting a new business in competition with their current employer for a period of time. |
| Non-solicitation clauses | prevent workers from soliciting former customers and co-workers. |
| Non-disclosure clauses | prevent workers from disclosing confidential information relating to their employment. |
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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.
Understand what expenses you can claim as a property investor.
Everyone wants to pay less tax, right? To do that you need to know what you can claim… and what you can’t.
Now's the time to review what strategies you can use to minimise your tax before 30 June.
Whether you need to finalise Single Touch Payroll data or produce payment summaries, this checklist will help you navigate the end of year payroll process from start to finish.
Lunch & Learn Workshop // 27 March, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
Many business owners are surprised to learn that most businesses don’t fail because they’re unprofitable - they fail because they run
out of cash. This session is designed to change that. Cashflow Essentials is a
practical workshop that shows you how cash really moves through your business, why cash pressure happens, and how to stay in control
- even while you’re growing.
This manufacturing business was growing steadily, but increased demand had created pressure rather than leverage. With roles unclear, systems inconsistently applied, and quality dependent on individuals, the business felt stretched despite strong revenue.
With infrastructure pipelines growing and demand for tradies, contractors, and logistics providers showing no signs of slowing down, 2026 could be the year your business.
Two of the most common tools business owners turn to are invoice finance and overdrafts.
Retail has become the top choice for commercial property investors in 2026, driven by increasing consumption, tight vacancy rates and limited land supply.
Queensland emerged as the clear winner, with transaction volumes growing 61.1 per cent to $21.35 billion, capturing nearly 25 per cent of national activity.
Australia's commercial property market is showing clear signs of recovery after a period of recalibration, with foreign capital returning, pricing stabilising and investor confidence improving.
If you're thinking about upgrading your car without breaking the bank, here's what to consider before signing on the dotted line.
According to a new global index that scores countries out of 100 based on ownership rates, five-year changes, price growth and affordability, Australia has scored just 51.56, trailing behind many European and Asian markets.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows household spending jumped 1.3% in October and is now 5.6% higher.
Lunch & Learn Workshop // 27 Feb, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
If you’re like most business owners, you receive financial reports, and you have your accounting software, but you don’t always feel
confident interpreting them. This workshop is designed to change that.
Know Your Numbers is a practical, plain-English
workshop that teaches you how to
properly read and understand your core financial reports - and,
more importantly, how they work together to show the real health of your business.
For many first-time buyers, owning a motorbike is a ticket to freedom and a bit of weekend adventure.
Ten property markets across four states have been identified as offering strong long-term capital growth potential.
Australia’s housing market opened 2026 on a positive note, with the latest Cotality Home Value Index showing a 0.4% rise.
The Fringe Benefits Tax year (FBT) ends on 31 March. We explore the problem areas likely to attract the ATO’s attention.
On 31 March, the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year ends. With the ever increasing budget deficits, the ATO will be reviewing whether all employers who should be paying FBT are, and that they are paying the right amount. Who needs to lodge a FBT return? Find out here.
WEBINAR RECORDING: Master allowances and reimbursements, understand their PAYG and super guarantee implications, and learn to navigate travel vs. living-away-from-home allowances. Gain insights into FBT considerations, new ATO record-keeping requirements, and effective salary packaging arrangements.
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging RPA, VBA, ChatGPT, and Copilot for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in PERTH with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power
Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge
Agentic AI. Tailored for accounting and finance professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners,
this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation
solutions independently.
If you’re a director of a small business, Payday Super isn’t just an HR or payroll issue. It’s a governance issue that could directly affect your personal legal exposure.
Payday Super doesn’t just change when you pay super. It also changes how super is calculated. If you’re a small business owner, it’s important to understand these shifts — because they could affect how much you owe and for which employees.
One of the most important things to understand about Payday Super isn’t just that you need to pay super more often. It’s that the consequences of getting it wrong are more severe than under the current system.
If your business uses the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) to process super payments, this is important: the service is shutting down on 1 July 2026, and it’s not coming back.
When Payday Super kicks in on 1 July 2026, it won’t just change when you pay super. It will change how much your payroll system has to do, how often it has to do it, and how little room there is for error.
From 1 July 2026, the new Payday Super rules require you to pay super at the same time as your employees’ wages. For small businesses, this is one of the most impactful changes in years - and the biggest area it will hit is your cash flow.
If you employ staff, one of the biggest changes to hit your business in years is coming on 1 July 2026. It’s called Payday Super, and it fundamentally changes how and when you pay superannuation.
A car fringe benefit commonly arises when an employer makes a car they own or lease available for the private use of an employee.
The Australian Government is revising tax incentives for electric vehicles, including phasing out Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Businesses providing these vehicles to employees must understand the impact of these changes and take necessary steps before the deadline.
Why should you lodge an FBT return where no FBT is payable? Well, for the simple reason that it turns on a three-year deadline for the ATO to commence audit activities. This is a NEW ATO rule as a result of massive deficits due to COVID. The ATO need to gain more funds somehow...FBT liability is one of the methods.
Granting employees’ access to company cars is treated by the ATO as a ‘non-cash benefit’, more commonly referred to as a fringe benefit.
New legislation before Parliament, if enacted, will make zero or low emission vehicles FBT-free. We explore who can access the concession and how.
An everyday occurrence across the business landscape in Australia is the practice of taking both existing and potential clients out for a meal to cement the business relationship, with the cost of this meal often covered by one party.
The ATO has signalled that there will be an increased focus on FBT this year. Given the ever-improving tools at the ATO’s disposal, in conjunction with the government’s need to raise additional revenues, it is important that employers ensure they remain compliant with their FBT requirements.
The commercial property market recovery that began in 2025 is set to strengthen and broaden in 2026.
Invoice finance is an option for some businesses to consider, to help smooth out cash flow during this period.
Secure your finance. Delaying could mean missing out on year-end opportunities and hitting roadblocks.
The retail sector has experienced the most pronounced shift, with institutional investors moving from net sellers in 2023 and 2024 to active buyers in 2025.
Australian commercial property is experiencing a change of fortunes with renewed investor confidence and a return to capital growth across key sectors.
Excellence in Inclusivity and Accessibility recognises businesses for their leadership in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces and ensuring accessibility for all. In this episode, the award-winnings share how inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s a smart business move.
The Local Community Connection Award recognises businesses with a commitment to strengthening the Mornington Peninsula community through networks, partnerships and social contributions. This episode features the award-winners as they share practical strategies, proven approaches, and inspiring stories that show how community connection isn’t just good for people - it’s sound business practice.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MELBOURNE CBD
15 & 16 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - SYDNEY
11 & 12 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
With more Australians living well into their 80s and beyond, managing your longevity risk is more important than ever. Learn how income products like annuities can support your lifestyle for the long haul – no matter how long your retirement lasts.
Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. We examine the three stages of retirement – and how each one affects your spending, planning and financial wellbeing.
Understanding the 3 stages of retirement and what they mean for your money, and how to future proof your retirement income.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - ADELAIDE CBD
8 & 9 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
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.
