23:59 UTC on 20 September 2022 is the cut-off to register for your .au direct domain. The .au domain is the new, general purpose,
shorter Australian domain name option.
If you do not register the direct match of your existing domain for the direct .au domain, you risk your brand equity being consumed by
someone else, rivals redirecting your clients to their products and services, squatters holding the domain, or cybercriminals impersonating
your business. The opening of the new .au domain is the single biggest shift in Australian cyber real estate in decades and the risks for
business are high.
If you are registering:
then you have priority access but only up until 23:59 UTC on 20 September 2022 (9:59am AEST on 21 September). Once this deadline has passed,
the .au direct domain name will be available to anyone with a connection to Australia to register from 21:00 UTC 3 October 2022 (8:00am AEDT
4 Oct).
While you can register for the .au domain through any number of providers, the most efficient method is to utilise your existing provider. To do this, you will need your domain’s access information. If these details cannot be found, for example, the details were held by a former staff member, it can take some time to recover them so do not leave the registration process until the last minute.
What happens if .com.au and .net.au both apply for the .au name?
If you share a domain name with another entity, for example, one entity owns .com.au and the other .net.au, the right their domain after 4 February 2018. If the name is contested by a Category 1 and a Category 2 applicant, the Category 1 applicant will secure the name. If two Category 2 applicants apply for the name, the name is allocated to the applicant with the earlier domain license creation date. But, it gets tricky when two Category 1 applicants apply to register the .au domain will cascade according to priority. Category 1 are those that secured the domain on or before 4 February 2018. Category 1 applicants have priority over Category 2 applicants who registered for the name. In these circumstances, both parties must agree on the allocation or the name remains unallocated.
Once you have applied for your matching .au domain, if your application is uncontested, you will be able to use the .au direct name soon
after applying for priority status.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MORNINGTON
29 & 30 September 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
25 & 26 September 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 - BRISBANE
8 & 9 September 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 - PERTH
18 & 19 August 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.
WEBINAR - Registration Essential
8th August 2025 - 12:30 - 1:30.p.m
The best retirements are those planned well in advance. Because when it comes to designing the life you want, age should never be a limit.
In this expert-led webinar, we’ll walk you through the essential strategies to help you create a financially secure and fulfilling
retirement - on your terms.
WEBINAR - Registration Essential
1st August 2025 - 12:30 - 1:30.p.m
Thinking about using your super to invest in property? Join our expert-led webinar to explore how a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) can help
you build long-term wealth through property investment.
WEBINAR - Registration Essential
25th July 2025 - 12:30 - 1:30.p.m
Join our free webinar, SMSF: Is It the Right Investment Strategy for You?, to explore how a Self-Managed Super Fund can help you
take control of your retirement in today’s changing economic landscape.
Familiarise yourself with auction rules and terminology. Understand how vendor bids work, and clarify all sale terms before auction day.
The end of the financial year (EOFY) is often one of the best times to snap up a bargain in the automotive market.
The Australian office market is showing encouraging signs of recovery in 2025.
A cash flow forecast for the year ahead will help you anticipate slow periods, identify upcoming expenses, and plan for investment opportunities.
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Australia has established itself as the world's second most attractive data centre investment market, with only the United States receiving more capital inflow in this rapidly expanding sector.
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It’s a powerful question, and one we help clients explore every day. it’s about understanding your whole financial picture and the lifestyle you want to create.
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The investment market volatility that kicked off in March 2025 has felt like a punch, particularly for those in or nearing retirement.
Struggling with loan repayments? Discover the truth about financial hardship arrangements, how they impact your credit, and the proactive steps you can take to regain control.
Start the new financial year with confidence. Discover practical strategies to refocus your goals, improve cashflow, strengthen client relationships, and build a smarter, more resilient business.
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Passing on wealth is about more than writing a will—it’s about creating clarity, avoiding conflict, and empowering the next generation. With Australia’s largest intergenerational wealth transfer already underway, it’s never been more important to approach succession with care, strategy, and forward thinking.
When someone passes away with superannuation savings, the taxable component of their balance can trigger a 17% tax hit if left to a non-dependant. It’s a heavy financial burden, particularly for adult children. But recent private binding rulings from the Commissioner of Taxation offer a smarter way forward.
A business line of credit can help cover operational expenses like wages, rent, and stock.
A business loan can provide the working capital needed to cover short-term expenses like wages, rent, supplier invoices, or utility bills, without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Large format retail (LFR) continues to stand out as an investment class across Australia's commercial market, with strong yields compared to other assets
Businesses across Australia are shifting from rapid warehouse expansion to strategic consolidation as they face rising real estate costs and normalising e-commerce demand in 2025.
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s for anyone who wants peace of mind that their hard-earned assets will be passed on the way they intend. Yet, it remains one of the most overlooked areas of financial management.
SMART Business Solutions has been named a finalist for Innovator of the Year at the Australian Accounting Awards 2025. Recognised for our forward-thinking approach, we continue to lead the way in combining AI-driven efficiencies with a human-centered client experience - empowering our team to do meaningful work that drives real impact.
The commercial property market is showing signs of recovery after a challenging two-and-a-half-year period of declining valuations.
ALL DAY CONFERENCE @ Mornington Racecourse
6 May 2025 - 8:30am - 5:30pm
In today’s fast-changing world, staying competitive means embracing new trends and technologies. At B.I.T.E.
Conference 2025, you'll discover groundbreaking strategies and tools—like A.I. and robotic process automation—designed to
help you navigate and succeed in the evolving business landscape.
Whether you're planning a lap of Australia or a weekend escape, owning a caravan or camper can be a great investment in lifestyle.
One of the biggest benefits of debt consolidation is the potential to reduce how much interest you’re paying.
At the end of each financial year, your accountant prepares essential documents like financial statements, tax returns, and compliance reports. But what brings it all together? That’s where the Management Letter comes in.
Lenders assess defaults on a case-by-case basis. What’s most important is the context surrounding the default and how your financial situation has changed since.
Some lenders will assess your income using Australian tax rates, even if you're living in a country with lower tax obligations.
Under the expanded program, income thresholds will increase from $90,000 to $100,000 for singles and from $120,000 to $160,000 for couples or single parents.
Federal elections have little effect on Australia's property market, despite common perceptions, according to new research.
Treasury has released exposure draft legislation for Payday Super that will require employers to pay superannuation at around the same time as salary and wages are paid to the employee. The changes are proposed to commence from 1 July 2026.
Shannon Smit dives deep into the compelling world of using self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to invest in property. With her signature energy and expertise, Shannon explains the mechanics of SMSFs, contrasting them with retail and industry super funds, and revealing the unique power they offer individuals to take control of their financial future.
What does it take to turn a modest property portfolio into a self-sufficient powerhouse? In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit invites you into the fascinating journey of property investment, revealing the key steps, strategies, and mindset shifts that can transform two properties into a thriving, cash flow-neutral portfolio.
The Government’s big moment in the 2025-26 Federal Budget was the personal income tax cuts. Income tax cuts are a dazzling headline but in reality they deliver a tax saving of up to $268 in the 2026-27 year, with a tax saving of up to $536 from the 2027-28 year.
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If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to finance your wedding, the answer is yes. A wedding loan could help cover your expenses while allowing you to spread the cost over time.
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) offer Australians greater control over their retirement savings, and property investment is one way people can take advantage of this flexibility.
Retail fitouts require a strategic approach to attract customers and drive sales. A visually appealing and functional layout can influence purchasing behaviour, making the investment critical.
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.
Retirement is a major life milestone, and planning for it requires careful financial preparation. With people living longer and enjoying more active retirements, having a well-structured superannuation plan is crucial. If you’re aiming to retire at 60, how much super do you need?
With the right strategy and financial discipline, borrowers can take full advantage of rate cuts and get ahead on their mortgage, potentially saving hundreds of thousands in interest.
Small businesses with a history of non-compliance may be required to transition to monthly GST reporting starting in April, as part of an initiative by the Australian Taxation Office.
How a trust distribution resolution is worded directly impacts the tax liability. It is important not because it determines what is taxable but because it is the basis for determining where the tax liability falls.
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 latest Office Market Report from the Property Council has found that CBD office vacancy experienced only a marginal increase from 13.6 to 13.7 per cent over the six months to January 2025.
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.
Granting employees’ access to company cars is treated by the ATO as a ‘non-cash benefit’, more commonly referred to as a fringe benefit.
The Australian commercial property market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with foreign investment surging particularly in the final quarter of 2024
Commercial property investment is set to surge in 2025, with premium assets in key CBD locations.
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.
One of the most effective ways to gain a competitive edge is by attending business conferences, where industry leaders, experts, and innovators come together to share knowledge, insights, and opportunities.
Equity is the difference between what you owe on the loan and the car’s trade-in value.
Rental growth is expected to moderate to between 3.5% and 4.5% over the next two years, down from the peak of 7.8% observed in March 2024.
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) offer Australians greater control over their retirement savings, and property investment is one way people can take advantage of this flexibility.
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) offer Australians greater control over their retirement savings, and property investment is one way people can take advantage of this flexibility.
Purchasing a home as a couple is a major financial and emotional milestone. Beyond simply owning property together, it signifies a long-term commitment to shared financial and lifestyle goals.
The November CPI print showed that monthly trimmed mean inflation decelerated from 3.5% to 3.2%. While services and housing inflation continued the downward trend, electricity prices surprised to the upside after various subsidies came off.
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.
Business owners with private companies must understand Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act when withdrawing funds. Unlike wages or dividends, these withdrawals may be treated as loans or drawings, and Division 7A ensures they are not automatically tax-free, preventing potential tax implications.
Asset finance is a flexible funding solution that allows businesses to acquire essential equipment without paying the full cost upfront.
In the lead up to 30 June, we want you to know why using a bucket company can be a great strategy for saving tax on trust profits distributed.
Smit is well-known for her years of international and local experience, expertise in niche areas, small business tactics and her recruitment process for young up-and-comers.
Aged care financial planning is a highly specialised area that requires not only financial expertise but also an understanding of the
emotional challenges families face. In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, host Shannon Smit sits down with Aged Care Financial
Advice specialists to unpack the complexities of aged care funding.
In today’s fast-paced world, productivity has become a paramount concern for professionals and business owners alike. We constantly strive to optimise our workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and maximise the value we derive from every minute of our day. One of the key steps in achieving this is recognising the habits and tasks that drain our productivity and replacing them with more effective strategies.
To be eligible to make a downsizer contribution to your super, you must be aged 55 or older and have owned your home for at least 10 years prior to the sale.
The investment market volatility that kicked off in March 2025 has felt like a punch, particularly for those in or nearing retirement.
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