Set your business up the right way, first time

Choosing a structure is the most expensive decision to get wrong and the cheapest to get right. We walk you through the options, then handle every registration for you.

Choosing a structure

Four common structures, plainly explained

There is no single best answer — it depends on your risk, your income, who else is involved and where you want the business to be in five years.

Sole trader

Cheapest and simplest to run. Income is taxed at your marginal rate and there is no separation between you and the business.

Good for: side businesses, contractors starting out, low-risk trades.

Company

A separate legal entity taxed at the company rate, with limited liability and the ability to retain profits and pay franked dividends.

Good for: growing businesses, retained profits, businesses carrying risk.

Trust

Income is distributed to beneficiaries each year, which allows flexibility across a family group and access to the CGT discount.

Good for: family groups, asset holding, businesses with variable income.

Partnership

Two or more people or entities sharing income and losses under a partnership agreement, with a separate partnership return.

Good for: joint ventures and professional practices.

Registrations

We lodge every registration on your behalf

As a registered tax agent we can complete your ATO and ASIC registrations directly. Most set-ups are done within a couple of business days of receiving your identification and details.

Australian Business Number (ABN)
Tax File Number (TFN) for the entity
GST registration
PAYG withholding registration
Business name registration with ASIC
Company registration (ACN) and constitution
Discretionary or unit trust deed and stamping guidance
Fuel tax credits and other ATO roles where relevant

Government charges — ASIC company registration and annual review fees, business name fees and any state stamp duty on trust deeds — are passed on at cost and quoted with your fee.

Start your registration

Tell us what you are setting up and we will send a fixed quote and a short checklist.

Not sure which structure you need?

Have a fifteen-minute conversation with us before you register anything. It is free, and it is a great deal cheaper than restructuring in two years.

Start your tax return Enquire now