What new AUSTRAC AML/CTF changes mean for you

Better Conversations. Better Business. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming business owners and leaders from across the Ipswich region to our Business Growth Workshop featuring Ryan Tuckwood. The room was filled with people from a wide range of industries, all investing time away from their businesses to learn and connect with others who share a commitment to growth. While Ryan is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading sales strategists and the founder of SWISH (Selling With Integrity & Selling Honestly), the day quickly became about something much bigger than sales. It became a conversation about people. Because whether you're leading a team, growing a business, managing clients or developing partnerships, the quality of your conversations often determines the quality of your outcomes. One of Ryan's core philosophies is simply "Study people, not sales. When you do, success follows.

At Sammut Bulow, we’ve recently seen an increase in clients receiving unofficial registry notices via the post and email relating to ASIC annual company statements and annual review fees. At first glance, these communications can look legitimate. They often use formal language, reference ASIC requirements, and may suggest they are acting on behalf of your business or can assist with lodging your annual review. In some cases, they also request payment directly. However, many of these notices are not issued by ASIC and are not associated with Sammut Bulow. Why this matters Making a payment to the wrong provider doesn’t satisfy your company’s ASIC obligations and can create unnecessary complications. We’ve seen this lead to: Duplicate payments or payments made to these providers but no work being completed Uncertainty around whether the annual review has actually been completed Missed ASIC deadlines Late fees or compliance issues where the genuine fee remains unpaid The client being removed from our registered agent portal and therefore SB being unable to complete important work For busy business owners, these emails can be easy to mistake for a genuine reminder - particularly when they arrive around the same time as your ASIC annual review. What to look out for To protect your business, it’s worth taking a moment to review any correspondence carefully. As a general rule: Only rely on communications sent directly from ASIC or Sammut Bulow If you receive an invoice or request for payment from another provider, don’t act on it straight away Be cautious of wording that suggests the sender is “acting for” your business when you didn’t actually engage them If something feels unfamiliar, unclear, or overly urgent, it’s worth pausing before taking action When in doubt, ask SB If you receive an email, letter or invoice relating to your ASIC annual review and you’re unsure whether it’s genuine, send it through to our team before making any payment. A quick check with us could save you time, money and unnecessary frustration. Our recommendation These notices are designed to look official and they can easily catch people off guard but taking a moment to verify the source before making payment is one of the simplest ways to protect your business. If you’ve received something recently and would like us to review it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, the advice and information provided on this site should not be construed as a substitute for consulting with a qualified accounting or tax professional. The authors and contributors to this blog do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content, or for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information provided.

 You may have recently noticed a message from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) about a “Fuel Response” when logging into your ATO portal. We’ve had a number of clients ask what this means and importantly, how it may support their business. The ATO has introduced this initiative to support eligible businesses experiencing increased cost pressures, particularly around fuel, freight, and general operating expenses. While this is not a cash payment or rebate, it is designed to provide greater flexibility and support where it’s needed most. This may include More flexible payment plans for ATO debts Remission of interest and penalties where appropriate A more practical and supportive approach where businesses are genuinely impacted This approach is all about giving businesses breathing room and time, while still keeping things on track. What this means for you If your business has been impacted by rising fuel or operating costs, the ATO may be more flexible in how and when you meet your tax obligations. However, it’s important to understand: Tax obligations still need to be met Lodgements still need to be completed on time Why you’re seeing this message? The ATO is proactively communicating this initiative to individuals and businesses through their online portals to raise awareness of available support options. This does not mean any action is required — it’s simply letting you know support may be available if needed. Our advice to clients If your business is being impacted by rising costs, we’re here to help you navigate your options; Reviewing your current position Communicating with the ATO on your behalf Setting up payment arrangements where appropriate Making sure you stay compliant while managing cash flow The ATO Fuel Response is a support tool - it’s there to assist businesses who need flexibility, but it doesn’t replace the need for strong financial management and ongoing compliance. If you have any questions about the ATO Fuel Response or your ATO obligations contact us today - we are here to help. Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, the advice and information provided on this site should not be construed as a substitute for consulting with a qualified accounting or tax professional. The authors and contributors to this blog do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content, or for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information provided.

 Like most people, I’ve seen my fair share over the years. Friends I’ve grown up with struggling. People close to me dealing with anxiety. Losing mates far too early. And going through periods myself where things haven’t always been as steady as they might have looked from the outside. You start to realise pretty quickly that no one is immune to it. On the surface, people can look like they’ve got it all together - running businesses, leading teams, showing up every day - but underneath, they can be doing it tough. And too often, they’re doing it quietly. That’s what has always stuck with me. Too many people don’t know where to go, or don’t feel comfortable putting their hand up. And sometimes, by the time they do, things have already spiralled further than they needed to. Why It Matters in Business In business, we’re very good at looking after our physical assets. We service our equipment. We maintain our vehicles. We invest in systems and technology. But the reality is, your people are your number one asset. If your people aren’t supported, engaged or in a good place mentally, it shows up everywhere - decision-making suffers, culture slips, performance drops and over time, the business starts to feel it. The same goes for business owners and leaders. If you’re not in a good headspace, if you’re running on empty it impacts how you lead, how you think and how your business evolves. We’ve seen it play out time and time again. Wellbeing isn’t separate from business performance - it actually drives it. Over time, that belief has shaped how we run Sammut Bulow. It shows up in how we support our team, in the initiatives we’ve introduced and it shows up in the way our team engages with the community. Because this isn’t something we just talk about - it’s something we try to live every day. The Bigger Picture Outside of SB, I’ve spent a lot of time involved in this space - sitting on boards, working alongside people who are doing incredible things to support others, and more recently helping bring a new charity - Wellbeing Nation - to life. The goal is simple: To give people better access to the tools, support and conversations they need to stay on top of their wellbeing before things reach a crisis point. Because the reality is, life’s not getting any easier. There’s more pressure, more expectation, more noise than ever before. Without the right support, it’s easy for people to feel like they’re constantly trying to keep up. Why It Matters to Our Clients When we talk about “real advice”, it’s not just about numbers on a page. It’s about understanding what’s going on behind the scenes - the pressures, the challenges, the goals that matter. Because better decisions come from a clearer headspace. Stronger businesses come from more supported people. And long-term success only works if it’s sustainable. A Final Thought At the end of the day, business is just people working with people. If we can create environments - in our workplaces and in our communities - where people feel supported, balanced and able to be at their best, everything else tends to follow. It’s not always easy, and there’s no perfect formula. But it’s something I care deeply about, and something we’ll continue to invest in, both personally and through Sammut Bulow. Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, the advice and information provided on this site should not be construed as a substitute for consulting with a qualified accounting or tax professional. The authors and contributors to this blog do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content, or for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information provided.