Posts in Corporate & Commercial
ASIC Has Removed Director Addresses from Public Searches - Here’s What Still Matters

ASIC has stopped displaying directors’ residential addresses in public company extracts. A positive step for privacy, but an easy one to misinterpret.

Directors still need to keep their address details accurate with ASIC. If the address is wrong, the risk of missing critical correspondence remains unchanged.

A small regulatory tweak, but one with practical flow‑on effects for compliance and contracting processes.

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Government announces changes to the new mandatory Merger Control Regime

On 15 October 2025, the Federal Government announced proposed changes to the new mandatory Merger Control Regime commencing on 1 January 2026.

Under the current framework, failure to properly comply with the new mandatory Merger Control Regime will automatically void a transaction. The Government has indicated that it plans to amend these automatic voiding provisions while still maintaining incentives for compliance with the mandatory notification requirements.

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Mandatory Merger Notifications Are Coming

Australia’s new mandatory merger control regime is on the horizon. From 1 January 2026, certain transactions must be notified to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and cleared before completion.

A voluntary opt-in period is now open and runs until 31 December 2025. This is a critical window to plan ahead.

These changes represent the most significant shift in Australian merger control in decades. Proactive planning will be critical to avoid costly delays and surprises.

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Sporting clubs, community service organisations and charities are in the ATO’s sights - does your sporting club or community service organisation need to lodge an ATO annual return by 1 October 2024?

Not-for-profits entities with an ABN which are eligible to self-assess as income tax exempt will be required to submit an annual self-review return with the ATO, commencing from the 2024 income year. The 2024 annual self-review return must be lodged by 31 October 2024.

The new reporting regime was introduced to enhance integrity in the tax system and ensure that only eligible NFPs are entitled to income tax exemption.

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Remove Unfair Contract Terms before 9 November 2023

From 9 November 2023, changes to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) will impose heavy penalties on businesses proposing, using, or relying on unfair contract terms in standard form contracts with consumers and small businesses. Businesses need to review their standard form contracts now and remove any unfair contract terms to avoid substantial penalties.

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When the bargain isn't worth it - Dell fined $10 million for misleading consumers about discount prices

On 14 August 2023, the Federal Court ordered Dell Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based technology provider Dell Technologies Inc, (Dell) to pay a $10 million penalty for making misleading representations on its website about discount prices for add-on computer monitors.

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