Business structure advice & setup
Get your structure right from the very start.
The structure you operate your business in affects how much tax you pay, how your personal assets are protected, and how easy it is to grow — and eventually sell — what you're building.
Most people guess. Or they ask a mate. Or they just register an ABN and hope for the best.
Getting it wrong early is expensive to fix later.
There's a better way.
Advice meeting & setup
$975
+ government fees at cost
Online meeting with Craig
Written advice on the right structure
Full setup — legal documents & registrations
ABN, TFN, GST & PAYG registration
Business name registration
First year ASIC registered agent
Get 50% off the advice meeting when you sign up to a Startup Sherpa package on an annual plan.
If sole trader is the right outcome for you, we refund $475 — you pay just $500.
Why this matters
Getting the structure wrong is one of the most expensive mistakes a new business owner can make.
We've seen it many times. A sole trader turning over $300,000, still paying personal income tax rates on every dollar of profit. A business owner who set up a company when a trust would have saved them tens of thousands in tax. A partnership that fell apart because there was no agreement in place.
These aren't edge cases. They're common — and they're almost always avoidable with the right advice at the start.
Getting it right isn't complicated. It just requires someone who looks at your full situation before recommending anything.
Common mistakes we see
Operating as a sole trader with growing income — paying personal tax rates when a company or trust would save significantly more
Setting up a company when a family trust would have provided better tax flexibility and asset protection
Going into business with a partner with no partnership agreement — and discovering what that means when something goes wrong
Mixing personal and business finances from day one — creating accounting problems that take years to unravel
Changing structure mid-business when it becomes unavoidable — and incurring the tax and legal costs of doing so
The six structures
We set up all six business structures used in Australia.
Here's what each one means, who it suits, and what's involved.
Structure 01
Sole trader
ABN Registration
The simplest way to start. You operate under your own name or a registered business name using your personal ABN. Low cost and minimal admin — but no asset protection and higher tax as your income grows. Many sole traders transition to a company or trust as they scale.
Suites
Testing an idea, starting out with low income, or professions where a simpler structure is the norm.
Includes: ABN registration, GST registration (if applicable), business name registration.
$500 + govt fees
Structure 02
Company
Pty Ltd
A separate legal entity. It can own assets, enter contracts, and employ people in its own name. Your personal liability is generally limited to what you've invested. Companies pay tax at the corporate rate — currently 25% for small businesses — often significantly lower than personal income tax rates at higher income levels.
Suites
Businesses with growth ambitions, those wanting asset protection, anyone planning to bring in investors or partners, and businesses aiming for an eventual sale.
Includes: company registration with ASIC, constitution and legal documents, ABN, TFN, GST, PAYG registration, business name, first year ASIC registered agent.
$975 + govt fees
Structure 01
Discretionary trust
Family trust
A legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. A discretionary trust gives the trustee flexibility to distribute income to different beneficiaries each year — which can significantly reduce the overall tax a family pays. It also provides strong asset protection.
Suites
Family-run businesses, those with significant assets to protect, and anyone who wants flexibility in how income is distributed.
Includes: trust deed and legal documents, trustee company setup if required, ABN, TFN, GST, PAYG registration, business name, first year ASIC registered agent.
$975 + govt fees
Structure 04
Unit trust
Fixed unit ownership
Similar to a discretionary trust, but ownership is divided into fixed units — like shares in a company. Each unitholder owns a defined percentage of the trust. Less flexible than a discretionary trust for income distribution, but useful where ownership stakes need to be clearly defined from the outset.
Suites
Joint ventures, businesses with multiple investors or partners, and property investment structures.
Includes: unit trust deed and legal documents, ABN, TFN, GST, PAYG registration, business name, first year ASIC registered agent.
$975 + govt fees
Structure 05
Partnership
Two or more people
Two or more people carrying on a business together. Simple to establish, but each partner is personally liable for the debts of the partnership — including those incurred by other partners. A well-drafted partnership agreement is essential. Our setup includes one. We call it a friendship-saving agreement — because it is.
Suites
Two or more people starting a business together who want a straightforward shared structure with clearly defined rules.
Includes: partnership agreement, ABN, TFN, GST, PAYG registration, business name.
$975 + govt fees
Structure 06
SMSF
Self Managed Super Fund
An SMSF allows you to take direct control of your superannuation and invest in a wider range of assets — including property and shares — through your super fund. Complex to set up and carries significant ongoing compliance obligations.
Notes
We can set up your SMSF on advice from your financial advisor. If you don't have one, get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction before we proceed. This is always a conversation first.
Fee: get in touch to discuss your situation.
Get in touch
Everything included in every company, trust & partnership setup.
No hidden extras. No surprise invoices. One fee covers the advice, the documents, and all the registrations. Government fees are the only addition — and we pass those through at cost.
Online advice meeting with Craig — your situation, goals, and the right structure for you
Written advice on the recommended structure
Full setup of your chosen structure with all legal documents
ABN, TFN, GST & PAYG registration
Business name registration
First year ASIC registered agent
All government fees passed through at cost — no markup
Why the advice meeting matters
A lot of people already know which structure they want when they call us.
Sometimes they're right. Sometimes they've been told the wrong thing. Sometimes they've done some research online and landed on the most common answer rather than the right one for their situation.
The advice meeting isn't a formality. It's where we look at the numbers, understand your goals, and make sure the structure we set up serves you best — now and as your business grows.
Getting it right at the start costs $975. Getting it wrong and fixing it later costs significantly more.
Get it right now
$975
Advice meeting + full setup from the start
Fix it later
$$$
Restructuring costs, potential tax events, legal fees
Already set up? Looking for ongoing support?
Most clients who come to us for a structure setup go on to join one of our accounting packages.
The setup gets your foundation right.
The package keeps you growing, compliant, and in control of your numbers.
Every Startup Sherpa package includes access to our monthly live coaching webinars — real topics, real questions,
real answers from someone who has started five businesses and sold two of them.
It's the coaching that bridges the E-Myth
gap between being great at what you do and building a business that runs without you.
Our goal for every client is the same: your first $1,000,000 in annual revenue.
That's not a ceiling — it's a starting point.
Common questions
Everything you need to know
Can I change my structure later?
Yes, but it's often costly and complicated. Changing from a sole trader to a company, for example, may trigger tax events, require new contracts, and involve significant admin. Getting the right structure from the start avoids all of that.
Do I need a separate bank account?
Yes — we recommend separate bank accounts for every entity, even as a sole trader. This is the first mistake that new business owners make. Mixing personal and business finances creates accounting problems and can have legal implications.
How long does setup take?
For most structures, we can have everything registered and documented within a few business days of your advice meeting. SMSF setup takes longer due to the compliance requirements involved.
What if I'm not sure which structure I need?
That's exactly what the advice meeting is for. You don't need to know the answer before you call us — that's our job. Book a meeting and we'll work through your situation together.
What's the difference between a company and a trust?
A company is a separate legal entity that pays tax at the corporate rate. A trust distributes income to beneficiaries who pay tax at their own rates — which can be lower. The right choice depends on your income level, family situation, asset protection needs, and long-term goals. We cover this in your advice meeting.
What are government fees?
Fees charged directly by ASIC — things like company registration and business name registration. We pass these through at cost with no markup and give you a clear breakdown upfront.
I'm already operating as a sole trader — should I change?
It depends on your income and goals. As a general guide, once you're earning consistently above $100,000 in your business, the tax savings from a company or trust structure often significantly outweigh the cost and complexity of changing. Book an advice meeting and we'll run the numbers for you.
Is the advice meeting fee refundable?
If the advice meeting determines that a sole trader structure is the right outcome for you, we refund $475 — you pay just $500 for the ABN, GST (if applicable), and business name setup. If you proceed with a company, trust, or partnership, the full $975 is retained and covers everything end to end.
Ready to get set up properly?
Book an advice meeting and we'll walk you through the right structure for your situation — before anything is registered or signed.
Ready to get set up properly?
Book an advice meeting and we'll walk you through the right
structure for your situation — before anything is registered or signed.
The higher you climb, the more we carry.
Startup Sherpa is a trading name of
Kalek Advisors Pty Ltd
ABN: 58 693 152 251
Tax Agent No: 26338091 · ASIC Agent No: 54256
PO Box 135, Darlington WA 6070
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The information on this website is general in nature and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Please seek professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances.