Australian employers face one of the most significant changes to compulsory superannuation in decades as the Payday Super reforms come into effect from 1 July 2026. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has outlined a series of sweeping reforms that will overhaul when, how, and how often employers pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions for their employees — with implications for payroll systems, cashflow, compliance and retirement outcomes for workers.

Whatever kind of business you own and run, your operations will have some form of environmental and social impact on the land and communities around you. Being a good business owner means being aware of this impact and putting structures in place to minimise the negative outcomes.

Raw data describes the facts and figures that a business processes every day. Over time, every business hoards a certain amount of data and it only becomes meaningful to a business after it has been processed to add context, relevance and purpose.

The Federal Government has announced proposed changes to the Division 296 superannuation tax, aiming to deliver a more balanced and practical outcome for members and trustees with balances above $3 million.

Contracting or freelancing requires you to wear a lot of hats. Relationship-building, keeping track of your time, marketing your skills and actually doing the work. But one of your priorities should also be establishing how you handle your money and setting the groundwork for good habits.

Back in 2023, the Australian Government announced that from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages. ‘Payday super’ will move payment of super from the quarterly cycle that businesses are used to, and switch it to a process where employees’ super will be paid within seven days of their usual payment cycle – whether weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

We’re thrilled to share that DFK International—our global association—has been awarded Association of the Year at the 2025 International Accounting Awards.

As reiterated in the recent Federal Budget, the Albanese Labor Government is extending protections against unfair trading practices to small businesses. This initiative acknowledges the power imbalances you may sometimes experience as a small business dealing with larger entities that have more buying power. But what do these protections actually mean for your company? What protections are being extended to small businesses?

Welcome to Less Than 15, our new show delivering bite-sized actionable insights for busy business owners. Each week we’ll be providing practical tips and valuable knowledge that you can immediately apply. We cover  diverse topics, including Going back to business basics, innovation via reverse mentoring, everyday cybersecurity, data-driven decision-making, creating neuro-friendly workplaces, and much more. Each episode will feature experts from within the DFK ANZ alliance and special guests from various fields.

The DFK Laurence Varnay team proudly represented the firm at the DFK ANZ Annual Conference 2025, held at the stunning Sofitel Broadbeach from 21–23 May. This event brought together leaders and emerging professionals from across the DFK ANZ group for a packed program of insights, collaboration, and innovation in the accounting and advisory space.

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable in tough economic times. When sales are slow, there are still overheads and salaries that need to be sorted. Pre-planning and being proactive can help you weather tighter economic periods and allow you to continue to thrive.

Implementing new software can feel like stepping into a world of opportunity. Done well, it can make your business run smoother, faster, and better. But without the right approach, it can also lead to headaches, wasted money, and frustrated teams. Let’s explore some common software implementation mistakes and how to avoid them—with some simple examples to help make it clear.