Your business structure is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a business owner. It determines how you are taxed, whether your personal assets are protected, how you can distribute income, and what your options are when you eventually sell or pass the business on.
At Y&S Accounting Brisbane, we don't just lodge forms. We first help you understand which structure is genuinely right for your situation, your goals, and your stage of business. In Australia, the four main operating structures are:
The simplest structure. You operate in your own name using your personal TFN. Low cost to set up, but offers no asset protection and limited tax-planning flexibility. All income is taxed at your marginal rate.
Learn moreTwo or more people running a business together. Income flows through to each partner’s personal return. Simple to set up, but joint and several liability means each partner is responsible for the other’s actions.
Learn moreA separate legal entity registered with ASIC. Provides asset protection through the corporate veil and a flat 25% tax rate for small businesses, significantly lower than high individual marginal rates.
Learn moreThe most flexible structure for family businesses and wealth planning. The trustee distributes income each year to beneficiaries in lower tax brackets, providing powerful income-splitting and asset-protection benefits.
Learn moreNot sure which structure is right for you? Use this table to compare the four main options across the dimensions that matter most for your business.
| Category | Sole Trader | Partnership | Company (Pty Ltd) | Discretionary Trust |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | Personal marginal rates up to 47% | Personal marginal rates up to 47% | Flat 25% (small business) | Distributed at each beneficiary's marginal rate |
| Asset protection | ✕ None | ✕ None | ✓ Limited liability | ✓ Strong (corporate trustee) |
| Income splitting | ✕ Not possible | ~ Fixed split only | ~ Via salary/dividends | ✓ Fully discretionary |
| 50% CGT discount | ✓ Yes (12+ months) | ✓ Yes (12+ months) | ✕ Not available | ✓ Yes (12+ months) |
| Setup cost | Free (ABN) to ~$43/yr | Similar to sole trader | ~$576 ASIC fee + professional fee | Trust deed + optional corporate trustee |
| Succession planning | ✕ Dissolves on exit | ✕ Dissolves on exit | ✓ Entity continues | ✓ Entity continues |
| Best suited for | Testing a business idea, low-risk freelancing | Simple joint ventures with low liability | Growing businesses, reinvestment strategies | Family businesses, wealth & estate planning |
✓ = available ✕ = not available ~ = limited. Not sure which applies to you? Book a consultation - AUD $250.
Once the right structure is confirmed, we take care of the full setup, correctly, in the right order, aligned with your tax and asset-protection strategy from day one.
We handle end-to-end setup across every structure type:
Ideally, before you start trading. The most common and costly mistake Brisbane business owners make is starting with the wrong structure and then needing to restructure later. Restructuring after the fact can trigger:
Transferring business assets (goodwill, equipment, property) into a new entity is a CGT event. Depending on the asset values involved, this can result in a significant tax bill, even if no cash actually changes hands.
In Queensland and other states, transferring dutiable property (including certain business assets) between entities triggers stamp duty. This can add thousands to a restructure cost, particularly if real property is involved.
A full restructure requires new trust deeds, company constitutions, shareholder agreements, ASIC registrations, and ATO applications. Professional fees for a complex restructure commonly run to several thousand dollars.
To determine the market value of assets being transferred, an independent business valuation may be required. These costs compound the overall expense of restructuring, all of which could have been avoided by starting with the right structure.
Starting right is always more efficientThere is no single best structure. It depends on your income level, asset protection needs, whether you have family members to distribute income to, and your long-term goals. Sole traders are simple but offer no protection. Companies provide a flat 25% tax rate and asset protection. Trusts offer the most income flexibility. We assess your specific situation and recommend accordingly.
It depends on the structure. ABN registration is free. A business name costs ~$43/year. ASIC company registration costs $576 (2025-26). Trust deed preparation is a professional fee. Our AUD $250 consultation fee covers a full assessment and formal written proposal with exact costs, credited to your services if you engage us.
A sole trader is the simplest structure but has no asset protection and limited tax planning. A company (Pty Ltd) is a separate legal entity that pays a flat 25% corporate tax rate and protects personal assets. A discretionary trust is the most flexible for distributing income to family members in lower tax brackets and providing long-term asset protection. Each structure suits different situations, and we help you work out which one is right for you.
Only if your annual turnover is expected to reach $75,000 or more (or $150,000 for non-profits). Below that threshold, GST registration is optional. We assess your situation as part of every registration engagement and advise whether voluntary registration makes sense for your circumstances.
Yes. We review your current setup, identify any missing registrations or compliance risks (such as unregistered ABN, missing GST registration, or trading through the wrong structure), and help you get everything in order. It’s always better to fix it early before the ATO identifies issues.
ABN, GST, and business name registration can typically be completed within 1–2 business days. Company registration with ASIC usually takes 1–2 business days once documents are submitted. Trust deed preparation and full setup may take 3–5 business days depending on complexity. We manage the entire process so you can focus on your business.
Yes. We regularly assist international entrepreneurs, migrants, and non-residents setting up businesses in Australia. We advise on the relevant visa and residency requirements for company directors, non-resident tax obligations, and the most appropriate structure for cross-border business operations. Hablamos español - falamos português.
60 minutes. Tailored to your situation. Formal written service proposal included.
✓ No obligation to proceed · Fee credited to implementation if you engage
Muito experiente e profissional. Minha devolução foi apresentada rapidamente e recebi o dinheiro de volta em semanas.
Muito experiente e fácil de entrar em contato. Excelente atendimento ao cliente. Altamente recomendado!
Excelente serviço! Transparência total e solvência profissional. Conselhos muito oportunos e diligentes que recebi de Sebastian. 100% recomendado!!!
O serviço que recebi de Sebastian foi excepcional. Com vários anos de experiência, ele está sempre muito atualizado.
É claro que eu faria qualquer procedimento com eles novamente por causa de seu alto nível de conhecimento sobre o assunto.
Eu recomendo fortemente seus serviços de contabilidade, pois a assistência que contratamos é altamente profissional, mostrando grande experiência em todos os assuntos de contabilidade comercial e pessoal. Eu certamente acredito que a relação custo-benefício recebida supera em muito as expectativas de serviço
A equipe da Y&S Accounting é supereficiente. Sempre pronto para ajudar e aconselhar da melhor maneira. Obrigado novamente. 100% recomendado
Altamente recomendado! Serviço profissional, rápido e eficaz. Eles nos orientaram e aconselharam bem durante todo o processo.
Excelente serviço! Eu fiz a declaração de imposto de renda e a aposentadoria com eles, e tudo correu bem. Muito profissional quando se trata de responder e fornecer informações. Eu os recomendaria 100% para qualquer pessoa que precise desse tipo de serviço.
Muito experiente e profissional. Minha devolução foi apresentada rapidamente e recebi o dinheiro de volta em semanas.
Muito experiente e fácil de entrar em contato. Excelente atendimento ao cliente. Altamente recomendado!
Excelente serviço! Transparência total e solvência profissional. Conselhos muito oportunos e diligentes que recebi de Sebastian. 100% recomendado!!!
O serviço que recebi de Sebastian foi excepcional. Com vários anos de experiência, ele está sempre muito atualizado.
É claro que eu faria qualquer procedimento com eles novamente por causa de seu alto nível de conhecimento sobre o assunto.
Eu recomendo fortemente seus serviços de contabilidade, pois a assistência que contratamos é altamente profissional, mostrando grande experiência em todos os assuntos de contabilidade comercial e pessoal. Eu certamente acredito que a relação custo-benefício recebida supera em muito as expectativas de serviço
A equipe da Y&S Accounting é supereficiente. Sempre pronto para ajudar e aconselhar da melhor maneira. Obrigado novamente. 100% recomendado
Altamente recomendado! Serviço profissional, rápido e eficaz. Eles nos orientaram e aconselharam bem durante todo o processo.
Excelente serviço! Eu fiz a declaração de imposto de renda e a aposentadoria com eles, e tudo correu bem. Muito profissional quando se trata de responder e fornecer informações. Eu os recomendaria 100% para qualquer pessoa que precise desse tipo de serviço.