Australia: Compliance

Subscribe
Business law and corporate law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics that involve business and corporate law produced by specialists working in this area every day.
Article
When Is An FOI Processing Estimate Reasonable? Lessons From ‘BBP’ And DFAT
How much time can government agencies reasonably claim when refusing FOI requests on resource grounds? A recent Information Commissioner decision examines DFAT's 113.75-hour processing estimate for sanctions-related documents, clarifying when complexity, sensitivity and specialist review requirements justify substantial resource claims under section 24AA of the FOI Act.
Australia Government
HR
Holding Redlich
Article
Reforms To Restraints: What The Competition And Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 Means For Employers
The Albanese Government has released draft legislation that would fundamentally reshape how Australian employers use restrictive covenants and competitive agreements. The proposed Competition and Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Banning Unfair Non-Competes) Bill 2026 seeks to prohibit or strictly regulate no-poach agreements, wage-fixing arrangements, non-compete clauses, and co-worker non-solicitation terms.
Australia Employment
PA
Piper Alderman
Article
Key Refinements To Streamline Australia's Merger Control Regime Passed Into Law: Threshold For Control Increased, Removal Of Voiding Provisions And Changes To "Stale" Notification Timelines
Australia's mandatory merger control regime undergoes significant refinement through new legislation that addresses practical challenges businesses have faced since its 2026 introduction. The amendments fundamentally reshape how control and associate relationships are assessed, what happens when acquisitions aren't properly notified, and how parties can manage completion timelines for approved mergers.
Australia Anti-trust
KG
K&L Gates LLP
Article
Australia's Updated Financial Innovation Strategy
The Australian Government has unveiled its Financial Innovation Strategy, introducing a new Financial Innovation Committee and overhauling the Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox framework to better support emerging businesses testing innovative financial products. The strategy encompasses reforms across consumer data rights, digital assets, tokenised infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks designed to position Australia as a leader in financial innovation.
Australia Finance
KG
K&L Gates LLP
Article
New Rules Of Engagement: Australia's Draft Privacy Bill And What It Means For Your Business
Australia's privacy framework is undergoing its most significant transformation in nearly four decades with the release of the Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026. The Bill introduces a new "fair and reasonable" test for handling personal information, establishes a controller-processor framework, and creates a right of erasure for large digital platforms. Core definitions including personal information, sensitive information, consent, and de-identification are being comprehensively overha
Australia Privacy
AO
A&O Shearman
Article
Privacy Reform In Australia: What Businesses Need To Know In 2026-2027
Australia's privacy laws are undergoing significant reform, with new automated decision-making transparency requirements commencing in December 2026 and further substantial changes under consideration. Businesses must prepare for enhanced regulatory scrutiny, increased litigation risk through the new statutory tort for serious privacy invasions, and potential expansion of obligations to small businesses and employee records.
Australia Privacy
CG
Coleman Greig Lawyers
Article
It Depends – Does My Company Qualify As A Special Purpose Superannuation Trustee Company?
Understanding the specific requirements for a company to qualify as a special purpose superannuation trustee company is crucial for accessing reduced ASIC annual renewal fees. Senior associate Keeghan Silcock explains the two essential conditions: the company's constitution must expressly prohibit income or property distribution to members, and the company must act solely as trustee of a regulated superannuation fund.
Australia Employment
CG
Cooper Grace Ward
Article
Clerks Award WFH Decision - If It Ain’t Broke
The Fair Work Commission's Full Bench has published its decision on working from home arrangements for clerical employees, introducing a facilitative clause that maintains the current status quo. While the new clause formalizes the process for employees to request remote work arrangements, it notably rejects union proposals for a broad 'right to request' and employer proposals to significantly widen ordinary working hours, affirming that existing flexible work arrangements are largely functioning
Australia Employment
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
AUSTRAC’s Section 167 Notices: The Next Challenge For Tranche 2 Entities
AUSTRAC's section 167 notices represent a powerful investigative tool that can compel Tranche 2 entities to prove their AML/CTF compliance through documentary evidence. While much attention has focused on implementing compliance frameworks, the real test comes when organisations must substantiate their efforts under regulatory scrutiny. Can your business prove what it claims to have done?
Australia Commercial
HR
Holding Redlich
Article
Road Transport Contractual Chain Order May Return As Fuel Cost Pressures Persist: What Principals And Contractors Can Do Now
The Fair Work Commission is set to reconsider the Road Transport Contractual Chain Order, with hearings scheduled for September 2026 amid ongoing fuel cost pressures. Industry stakeholders are divided on whether the order should be re-enlivened or revoked, while principals and contractors are already receiving notices about potential fuel cost pass-throughs from downstream parties.
Australia Employment
HR
Holding Redlich
Article
New Protections In The Superannuation System
The Australian Government has unveiled comprehensive reforms targeting consumer protections across superannuation and financial services, introducing stricter oversight of APRA-regulated funds, SMSFs, and managed investment schemes. These changes respond to recent high-profile investment failures and include enhanced trustee obligations, strengthened anti-hawking provisions, and modifications to the financial advice framework that could significantly impact compliance requirements for industry participants.
Australia Employment
KG
K&L Gates LLP
Article
Proposed Changes To The Pre-Lodgement Advertising And Publicity Regime: What Does It Mean?
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has proposed significant reforms to pre-lodgement advertising rules that would allow companies to communicate more freely with markets before filing disclosure documents. While offering greater flexibility for IPO offerors to gauge interest and address market commentary, the changes raise important questions about investor protection and the potential for premature investment decisions based on incomplete information.
Australia Commercial
KG
K&L Gates LLP
See more

Latest Videos

See more