Structuring for Longevity: Protect Personal Wealth & Minimise Tax.
Most small business owners only think about tax when lodging their annual tax return. True financial protection and wealth creation happen before you start trading. Setting up the correct structure shields your family home from trade liabilities, caps corporate taxes at 25%, and enables flexible family income streaming.
Key Structuring Benefits
- Shield family home & private assets from lawsuits
- Access 25% base rate corporate tax rate
- Preserve 50% Capital Gains Tax discount
- Small Business CGT concessions up to $6M cap
- 24–48 Hour turnaround for ASIC incorporation
Australian Entity Comparison Matrix
How each Australian trading structure impacts liability, tax brackets, and wealth preservation.
| Entity Structure | Asset Protection & Liability | Tax Treatment | 50% CGT Discount | Income Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader | Unlimited Personal Liability (Family home at risk) | Individual Marginal Rates (up to 47%) | Yes (50% CGT discount applies) | No (All profit taxed directly in individual's name) |
| Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd) | Limited Liability (Shareholders protected) | 25% Capped Base Rate Corporate Tax | No (Companies do not receive 50% CGT discount) | Via Franked Dividends to Shareholders |
| Family Discretionary Trust (Corporate Trustee) | High Asset Protection (Trustee holds assets for beneficiaries) | Distributed to beneficiaries' brackets (0% to 47%) | Yes (50% CGT discount flows to individual beneficiaries) | High Flexibility (Stream income annually across family) |
| Dual Structure (Operating Co + Holding Trust) | Maximum Protection (Operating Co absorbs commercial risk) | Optimized (25% company tax + trust distribution flexibility) | Yes (Assets held in trust retain 50% CGT discount) | Maximum Flexibility (Dividends paid to holding trust) |
Turnkey Setup Packages
Fixed upfront pricing with all statutory ASIC and ATO registrations handled end-to-end.
Family Discretionary Trust Setup
Asset protection vehicle for investment portfolios and business shareholding.
- Customised Discretionary Trust Deed
- Trustee minutes & settling resolutions
- ABN & TFN registration with the ATO
- Nomination of Primary & General Beneficiaries
- Appointor & Guardian protective clauses
- Electronic documentation delivery in 24–48 hours
Pty Ltd Company Setup
Complete statutory incorporation of an Australian Proprietary Limited company.
- Statutory ASIC incorporation fee included
- Issuance of Australian Company Number (ACN)
- ABN, TFN, GST & PAYG registrations with ATO
- Customised Company Constitution
- Share certificates, consent forms & statutory registers
- Director ID guidance & 24–48h fast turnaround
Dual Company + Trust Hybrid
The gold standard for Australian business founders seeking total asset protection.
- Full Pty Ltd Operating Company registration
- Family Discretionary Trust establishment
- Corporate Trustee registration with ASIC
- ABN, TFN, GST, PAYG & WorkCover setup
- Inter-entity loan & dividend distribution framework
- Dedicated 1-on-1 CPA structuring consultation
Unsure which structure fits your venture?
Book a 1-on-1 structuring strategy session with our senior tax partners in Melbourne to model your projected revenues and family wealth.