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.
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.
Getting it right isn't complicated. It just requires someone who looks at your full situation before recommending anything.
Here's what each one means, who it suits, and what's involved.
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.
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 feesA 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.
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 feesA 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.
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 feesSimilar 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.
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 feesTwo 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.
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 feesAn 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.
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 touchNo 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.
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.
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 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.
View our packages →Book an advice meeting and we'll walk you through the right structure for your situation — before anything is registered or signed.