The Hidden Risk of Partnership: Joint and Several Liability
Liability of partners to third parties in a partnership One of the major legal risks in running a business through a partnership is that partners can become personally liable not only for their own conduct, but also for the conduct of the other partners. That is because a partnership is built on the […]
Is our DGR System Working? A Look Into Australia’s Charitable Giving System
Australia’s charity sector plays a major role in supporting communities, delivering essential services, and responding to social and economic challenges. With over 60,000 registered charities employing more than 10% of Australia’s workforce, it is both socially and economically significant (Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Australian Charities Report (11th Edition, 2025). One of the key […]
Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Bill: Tougher Rules for Builders and Plumbers
The Victorian Government has introduced the Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Bill 2026, bringing major changes to how the building and plumbing industry is regulated. At the centre of the reforms is the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which be given much stronger enforcement powers to step in earlier, issue bigger penalties, and […]
Coming To a Close: Cladding Safety Victoria Nearing End
The Victorian Government is moving to formally wind up Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV), marking the final stage of the state’s response to the combustible cladding crisis that emerged after high-profile apartment fires both in Australia and overseas. The Cladding Safety Victoria Repeal Bill 2026 proposes to abolish CSV as a standalone agency, repeal the […]
Victoria’s Buyer Protection Reforms: What Changes from 1 July 2026
Recent reviews into Victoria’s building sector found the old system was not doing enough to protect consumers. There was poor oversight of building work, limited and confusing pathways for fixing defects, and domestic building insurance was often difficult to access. After major builder collapses and high-profile industry failures following COVID-19, it became clear that […]
Builders Beware: Victoria’s New Minimum Financial Requirements
The Victorian Government is introducing major reforms to improve confidence in the domestic building industry, and one of the most important changes is the introduction of the Building Amendment (Minimum Financial Requirements) Regulations 2026, which will regulate the new Minimum Financial Requirements (MFRs) for domestic builders. The proposed MFR Regulations, to be made under […]
How Does the ART Work in Immigration Matters?
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) is the principal merits review body for many immigration-related decisions under the Migration Act, subject to statutory exceptions. It replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024 following the introduction of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth). The ART operates as an independent national tribunal, and can […]
No More Oral Hearings? Upcoming Changes to Temporary Visa Refusal Reviews
Key Changes On 5 February 2026, the Federal Parliament passed reforms amending the Migration Act 1958 and the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024. The reforms are designed to improve efficiency in the ART whilst maintaining procedural fairness, as outlined in the Act’s supporting documents The changes expand the powers of the Administrative Review Tribunal to […]
The Good Character Standard in Australia’s Migration System
When people think about applying for an Australian visa, they usually focus on eligibility, documents, and timelines, however one of the most important factors to be aware of is the character test, as this will form the foundation for whether your visa application will be rejected or not. The character test is a mandatory […]
Understanding IBAC: Victoria’s Anti-Corruption Body
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is Victoria’s primary anti-corruption body, responsible for investigating serious corruption and police misconduct in the public sector. Whilst it is often associated with high-profile investigations, IBAC plays a broader and ongoing role in maintaining integrity, accountability and public confidence in government and regulatory decision-making. For clients interacting with […]