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The Australian Government has announced reforms aimed at increasing philanthropic funding to charities. The changes focus on Giving Funds (currently referred to in the tax law as ancillary funds) and form part of the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Future Foundations for Giving report and the Not‑for‑profit Sector Development Blueprint.
Read MoreOn 18 December 2025, the Government released significant amendments to the new merger control regime through the Competition and Consumer (Notification of Acquisitions) Amendment (20205 Measures No.1) Determination 2025 (Determination). These changes affect when businesses must notify the ACCC of acquisitions and introduce a range of new exemptions and updated thresholds under the new merger control regime which came into force on 1 January 2026, with some changes commencing on 1 April 2026.
Read MoreASIC 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.
Read MoreOn 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.
Read MoreAustralia’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.
Read MoreASIC has released updated guidance clarifying how companies and registered schemes can conduct virtual and hybrid shareholder meetings, reinforcing that shareholders attending meetings virtually must have an equal opportunity to participate.
Read MoreEarlier this year, the ACCC conducted a sweep of more than 2,000 Australian retail websites and found that some businesses had return policies and website terms and conditions that potentially contravened the law.
The ACCC issued several warnings to businesses to change their policies, terms and conditions.
Read MoreNot-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.
Read MoreA cumulative fine of $33.5 million and criminal convictions and fines imposed on the CEOs have been recently handed down by the Federal Court following criminal cartel conduct.
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