Building Your Business Foundation Right

Starting a company in Australia comes with questions. Lots of them. We help you understand the structures, the compliance requirements, and the financial decisions that matter from day one. No guesswork, just clear guidance based on what actually works.

Explore Our Program
Business planning and company formation consultation
Graeme Thorburn, company formation specialist

Graeme Thorburn

Formation Specialist

Spent fifteen years helping businesses get their legal structures sorted. Started because too many founders were paying for mistakes that could've been avoided with proper planning.

Why Structure Matters More Than You Think

Most entrepreneurs focus on their product or service first. Makes sense. But the way you set up your company affects everything from tax obligations to personal liability. We've seen brilliant ideas hampered by poor structural choices made in those first few months.

Entity Selection

Sole trader, partnership, company, or trust? Each structure has specific implications for your tax position and liability exposure. We help you weigh the actual trade-offs.

Compliance Framework

ASIC requirements, tax registrations, and reporting obligations vary significantly. Understanding what applies to your situation prevents nasty surprises later on.

Financial Planning

How you structure ownership and profit distribution impacts both current tax and future flexibility. Getting this right early saves restructuring headaches down the track.

Growth Considerations

What works for a one-person operation might constrain a growing team. We look at where you're heading, not just where you are now.

Common Obstacles We Help You Navigate

Every business faces similar hurdles during formation. Here's how we address the ones that trip people up most often.

Understanding business structure options

Choosing Between Structure Types

Deciding between a Pty Ltd company and other structures isn't straightforward. Each option carries different setup costs, ongoing compliance burdens, and tax treatments.

  • Compare liability protection across different structures
  • Calculate true ongoing costs including compliance
  • Consider future scenarios like bringing on partners
  • Understand how each structure affects personal assets
Managing compliance requirements

Keeping Up With Compliance

Australian business compliance involves multiple agencies and deadlines. Missing one can trigger penalties or create legal complications that cost time and money to fix.

  • Set up proper registration with ASIC and ATO
  • Establish systems for meeting annual reporting deadlines
  • Understand director duties and legal obligations
  • Plan for tax lodgement and payment schedules
Planning financial structure

Getting Financial Structure Right

How you structure share ownership, dividend payments, and profit distribution has lasting implications. Changes later often mean expensive restructuring or lost opportunities.

  • Design share structures that allow for future investors
  • Plan dividend policies that balance tax efficiency with cash flow
  • Consider family trust arrangements where appropriate
  • Build flexibility for changing circumstances over time

How We Guide You Through Formation

Our approach breaks down the formation process into manageable stages. Each builds on the previous one, so you understand not just what to do, but why it matters for your specific situation.

1

Initial Structure Assessment

We start by understanding your business model, growth plans, and personal circumstances. This shapes which structure options make practical sense. You'll learn the real differences between entity types and what each means for your situation.

2

Compliance Planning

Once the structure is clear, we map out the compliance requirements specific to your setup. This includes registration steps, reporting obligations, and deadlines you'll need to meet. No surprises about what's required or when.

3

Financial Framework Design

This is where we plan ownership arrangements, profit distribution methods, and tax optimization strategies. The goal is creating a structure that works efficiently now and adapts as your business grows.

4

Ongoing Support Setup

Formation isn't a one-time event. We help you establish systems for maintaining compliance, understanding reporting requirements, and knowing when structural changes might benefit you. You'll have clarity on what needs attention and when.

Ready to Start Your Formation Journey?

Our next program session begins in September 2025. Spaces fill quickly because we keep groups small for personalized attention.

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