Micro business - starting up in the digital age
with Kyriaki Theodoridis , Digital Age Lawyers
Over the past decade , we have seen an increase in the prevalence of small businesses commencing operations through numerous digital online platforms as opposed to the traditional shop front . Coupled with that has been the emergence of social media as a useful tool for advertising and marketing purposes . Financial benefits There are tremendous financial benefits in operating a business through a digital platform rather than a shopfront premises , such as :
1 . Less overhead costs in terms of rent , utilities and wages 2 . Reduced travel time to an office 3 . Somewhat flexible working hours , and 4 . Increased exposure to business through digital advertising . Business structures and operating models The use of digital platforms has led to micro businesses changing the way in which they operate , as well as their overall business structure .
However , this has led to a significant lack of compliance with the law surrounding these digital platforms leaving owners in a personal liability context .
Steps to protecting your assets ! So let ’ s take it back to basics . Set up your business with solid foundations that includes :
1 . Registration of your business name - this can be registered through the Australian Government ’ s Business Registration Service .
2 . Registration of a company - can be achieved through the Australian Securities and Investments Commission . Once the company is registered , transactions can be entered into in one ’ s capacity as director and secretary of the company instead of as a sole trader .
3 . Registration of a trademark - both individuals and companies can register a trademark through Intellectual Property Australia . A trademark is a form of intellectual property , comprising either a letter , number , logo , image , symbol , design , word , sound , movement , scent , shape or phrase or a combination of these which is used to distinguish the goods and services that your business sells in comparison to other businesses .
4 . The inclusion of terms and conditions and a privacy policy on your website are useful in clarifying the rights of your business relative to Australian Consumer Law . What should you do ? Through the increased prevalence and transition towards operating a business through a digital platform , it is important for micro businesses to ensure that they
have set up and operate their business in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations . Protecting your assets and limiting your liability are necessary in the current business environment .
You should not have to spend more than $ 3k with a reputable business lawyer to achieve these necessary protections and peace of mind . This work can be staged to match your cashflow so achieving compliance is relatively painless .
NB : Kyriaki Theodoridis is a solicitor under the supervision of Katherine Hawes , the Principal Solicitor of Digital Age Lawyers .
NSW Wildlife Council provides instant funding to flood
impacted wildlife carers
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The NSW Wildlife Council ( NWC ), the peak body for wildlife rehabilitation in NSW , has recently issued almost $ 48,000 to volunteer wildlife carers impacted in the recent flooding events . These volunteers play a vital role in the survival of native fauna .
The NWC aims to achieve optimal outcomes for native fauna , representing 26 licensed wildlife groups and approximately 4,000 wildlife carers in the state . To ensure incoming injured and orphaned wildlife are able to be assisted the Council acknowledges the necessity to distribute donations as soon as possible to carers and groups on the frontline where it is needed most during emergency events . The grants have helped a number of groups and carers involving wildlife from marsupial joeys , wombats , flying-foxes , marine reptiles , birds and more !
In announcing the release of funds , Audrey Koosmen , NSW Wildlife Council Chair , said , “ Many of our member groups and carers have been very seriously affected in this recent flood event losing their fauna holding pens with flood waters destroying wombat burrows , fencing , equipment , aviaries and white goods all used for rehabilitating wildlife . The NSW Wildlife Council through generous donations received from the public has been able to fund repairs for those worst-affected .
This is one way we can help our most hard-working wildlife volunteers across the state . I thank everyone in the wildlife sector for the great work they are doing to care so well for our wildlife in such challenging conditions .
” Ms Koosmen added “ It is a real privilege to be able to help these carers . The public donated generously to the NWC Emergency Fund to support our work with wildlife and these donations will go where the public expect them to go – to directly benefit native animals needing our help ”.
Wildlife Council member groups cover the whole of NSW with 4,000 volunteers trained to look after wildlife that need help . The NWC encourages its member groups and their volunteers who were impacted in the recent flooding to apply . All grant enquiries to grants @ nwc . org . au
16 ISSUE 83 // MAY 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT