If you are a parent who has recently separated from their partner and you have children with them, you may be starting to navigate how to put some care arrangements in place for your children. Or, you may have been separated for some time and are considering pathways to resolve your current parenting dispute, or looking to what future arrangements will be best for your children.

In this HA Housing Insights series, we shine a spotlight on the housing crisis and speak with key industry experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

In the fifth instalment of our HA Housing Insights series we speak with Brian Farrelly, Partner and Executive Director at Pitcher Partners Melbourne within the Tax Advisory Group to hear his views.

There have been some important changes to the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Franchising) Regulations 2024. These changes will come into effect on 1 April 2025 and have the potential to impact the way franchises operate. As a result, it’s important that both franchisees and franchisors are aware of their new obligations and rights.

On 19 February 2025, the Full Federal Court, in FCT v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Bendel), held that an unpaid present entitlement (UPE) with a corporate beneficiary is not a loan under subsection 109D(3) of Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936).

In this HA Housing Insights series, we shine a spotlight on the housing crisis and speak with key industry experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

In our fourth instalment of our HA Housing Insights series we speak with Bruce Wan, Head of Research at MaxCap Group. Bruce brings a unique perspective on the housing market through the lens of a lender and his background in global market research. 

The recent VCAT decision of Caloutas as trustee for Caloutas Family Trust v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VCAT explored how bare or fixed trusts intersect with the Victoria land tax trust surcharge provisions.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

Today we speak with Jessica Jones, Head of Strategy & Business Development at Balmain & Co to gain insight from the builder perspective on the affordable housing crisis.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

Today we speak with Jesse Radisich, Director of the Victorian JLL Capital Markets – Development Team, to provide us with insight into what is happening in the current market, trends and opportunities in the affordable housing and build-to-rent sector.

The housing crisis remains a critical issue in Australia.

A coordinated effort between all levels of government, the private sector and community housing organisations is required to tackle the crisis and boost supply.

In this HA Housing Insights series, our social and affordable housing team speak with key industry experts – including developers, builders, community housing providers, investors and property and tax specialists – to gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced in delivering housing outcomes and potential solutions.

To open the conversation, we speak with Mike Myers, who has 42 years’ experience working in the UK and Australia across all aspects of social and affordable housing in the community, government and private sectors, including policy, delivery, finance and executive leadership.

The article indicated that there is a $3.5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next decade, in the form of inheritances flowing from the first group of the Baby Boomer generation (born from 1946 to 1964) who are nearing the age of average life expectancy.

In a Private Binding Ruling, the ATO determined that payment of a death benefit to a spouse’s estate is not tax-free under section 302-10(2) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

There have been several recent amendments relating to the charity exemptions available regarding land tax. The previous State Revenue Office ruling LTA-009 has been replaced with LTA-009v2 in reference to the exemptions under section 78B and 78C of the Duties Act 2000 introduced by the State Taxation Amendment Act 2024 and section 78D introduced by the State Taxation Further Amendment Act 2024.

This new ruling has provided important clarification on aspects of land tax exemptions available to charities as well as filled necessary gaps in the relevant legislation.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) in Victoria is ending with the final properties exiting the scheme by 2026. Investors at this time will be faced with the decision as to whether they wish to transition their properties to the open market, sell or retain them for affordable housing. The Victorian Government has said that its aim is to keep the properties within the affordability housing sector but encouraging collaboration with the Community Housing Providers (CHP).

Scam emails from senders purporting to be Trade Mark Attorneys from “Trademark Registry Hub” or “Patents Registry Hub” are currently circulating with a number of our clients reportedly receiving the same communication. These emails can be concerning and convincing. Here’s what to do.

As Australia grapples with a housing affordability crisis, the need for a solution is becoming increasingly important. The build to rent (BTR) sector is emerging as a potential part of the solution to alleviating the housing crisis.

Harwood Andrews is proud to announce the following well-deserved promotions effective 1 January 2025.

As the year comes to a close, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Justin Hartnett who is retiring after over 20 incredible years of dedication, leadership and impact as a valued Principal at Harwood Andrews.

A well drafted set of terms and conditions is an important way to protect your agribusiness, manage risk, clarify expectations upfront, avoid misunderstandings and build trust with customers.

The Full Federal Court has handed down the decision Killer Queen, LLC v Taylor [2024] FCA 364 in which Katheryn Hudson (better known by her stage name ‘Katy Perry’) was successful in overturning a decision that she (and her associated corporate entities) had infringed a registered trade mark for ‘Katie Perry’ owned by an Australian clothing designer, Katie Taylor (formerly Katie Perry before marriage).

Receiving a letter of demand alleging copyright infringement can be daunting. However, allegations of infringement should not be ignored, so as not to be exposed to significant additional damages. A recent decision from the Federal Court highlights the importance of acknowledging such demands.