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Search and research Disclosure - We use AI as the primary tool to find and comment on the Topics in the Business Intelligence newsletter. Every topic is curated by a human before publication. |
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Technology and Innovation
Australian Cyber Security Centre issues an urgent cyber alert
ACSC Issues High-Priority Alert on Active Exploitation of N-able Remote Management Software
Summary:
On August 19, 2026, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) issued an urgent cyber alert regarding active security exploitation of N-able N-central remote management software in Australia. Cyber threat actors are exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities to gain administrative access across corporate IT environments. Managed service providers and internal IT administrators are urged to apply vendor patches immediately to prevent unauthorised network access. Implication:
Operations Manager or IT lead must immediately contact external IT managed service providers (MSPs) to confirm that all network monitoring tools are updated to Hotfix 2. The team should audit remote administration logs for unauthorised access during the past 14 days. Any unpatched instances must be isolated immediately from the primary business network.
Read more about this topic at the ACSC cyber.gov.au website link here
ACSC Issues Guidance on Centralised Event Logging and Threat Detection The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) released new technical guidance on best practices for event logging and threat detection to protect business networks. The framework emphasises centralising log collection to rapidly detect anomalies, such as unauthorised network access, which is critical for defending small businesses against ransomware and data breaches. Implication:
Businesses must instruct the external IT provider to verify that a centralised event logging policy is active across all company systems. Owners should confirm that multi-factor authentication (MFA) logs and network access events are securely retained to ensure rapid detection of compromised staff accounts.
Read more about this topic at the ACSC cyber.gov.au website link here |
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SME Risk and Compliance
Fair Work Ombudsman Prosecutes Labour Hire Operator and Director Over Compliance NoticesOn August 20, 2026, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) commenced legal action against a personnel outsource firm (name withheld) and its sole director for failing to comply with official Compliance Notices. The regulator alleges the firm failed to pay guaranteed minimum hourly rates to workers under the relevant award and attempted to pay solely on piecework terms. The FWO is seeking court penalties and writing directly to supply chain clients to notify them of alleged non-compliance. Implication:
Owners and the Operations Manager must review all agreements with third-party labour hire agencies to ensure piecework rates do not undercut award minimum hourly rates. Account Management and Finance teams should request proof of award compliance from contractors supplying operational staff to prevent supply chain reputational and legal risks. Owners must note that non-compliance with statutory notices leads directly to personal director liability.
Read more about this topic at the Fair Work Commission website link here
Right to Disconnect and Casual Conversion Reforms Commence for Small Businesses On August 26, 2026, the Fair Work "Right to Disconnect" officially commenced for small businesses with fewer than 15 employees, alongside the new "employee choice pathway" for casual conversion. Eligible employees now have the statutory right to refuse to monitor or respond to out-of-hours work communications, unless the refusal is deemed unreasonable based on their role and compensation. Implication:
The business must immediately review after-hours communication protocols for warehouse, trade, and administrative staff. The Admin / Finance team should update employment contracts and workplace policies to reflect these new boundaries, and supervisors must be trained to avoid expecting immediate responses to non-urgent messages sent after rostered shifts.
Read more about this topic at the Fair Work Ombudsman website link here
ATO Enforces Strict Governance on Trust Distributions and Division 7A Loan Agreements The ATO continues its enforcement focus on family trust distributions under Section 100A and Division 7A benchmark interest requirements for private company loans. Private company beneficiaries holding Unpaid Present Entitlements (UPEs) from family trusts must put complying loan agreements in place or risk distributions being treated as unfranked dividends. The ATO requires clear documentation demonstrating that trust distributions represent ordinary family or commercial dealings. Implication: The business must schedule a pre-lodgment review with external accountants to confirm all trust distributions to private corporate entities have formal Division 7A loan agreements executed. Verify that minimum yearly repayments and benchmark interest rates are calculated correctly for existing 7-year loans. Ensure clear documentation exists to prove trust distributions benefit designated family beneficiaries to avoid Section 100A anti-avoidance scrutinies. Read more about this topic at the ATO website link here
Repeated in the Family Business Succession and Exitability section |
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SME People and Culture
August Modern Award Pay Rate Adjustments Require Immediate Payroll VerificationFollowing the 4.75 per cent increase to Modern Award minimum wages and the $1,004.90 per week National Minimum Wage, updated Fair Work pay guides remain active for employer compliance audits. Employers in trade, warehousing, and admin must ensure casual loadings (25 per cent minimum) and entry-level rates conform to updated award classifications. Implication:
The Admin / Payroll / Finance must audit August pay runs against current Fair Work pay guides for all award-covered employees, including Clerks, Storage Services, and Building & Construction awards. The business must check that casual staff hours and penalty rates are classified correctly in timekeeping software. Adjust any entry-level employee pay rates that fall below $26.44 per hour or $33.05 for casuals.
Read more about this topic at the Fair Work Ombudsman website link here
Regulatory Focus Heightens Director Exposure for Workplace Non-Compliance The Fair Work Ombudsman has reinforced its enforcement priority targeting personal director liability under accessory liability provisions of the Fair Work Act. Over $39 million in court penalties have been secured against businesses and directors in cases involving award underpayments and record-keeping breaches. Directors are increasingly being named co-respondents in court actions alongside trading companies. Implication:
Business Owners must ensure internal HR and time-tracking procedures accurately capture all working hours, meal breaks, and overtime for frontline workers. The business should eliminate informal time-off arrangements that are not reflected in official payroll systems. Accounts must confirm that pay slips contain all mandatory statutory details to protect directors from personal prosecution.
Read more about this topic at the Fair Work Ombudsman website link here
AHRC and COSBOA Launch Age-Inclusive Small Business Initiative The Australian Human Rights Commission has partnered with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) to deliver tailored education and practical resources for the small business sector. The initiative addresses critical workforce shortages by providing plain-English guidance on inclusive hiring and retention practices under the Fair Work Act and Age Discrimination Act. Implication:
Businesses should review the new practical resources and case studies provided by COSBOA to remove age-based bias from recruitment processes. Ensure job advertisements for frontline roles focus strictly on capability and experience, enabling the business to attract older workers and mitigate current staff shortages.
Read more about this topic at the humanrights.gov.au website link here
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Money and Markets
RBA Monetary Policy Update Flags Ongoing Energy Pressure and Commercial Debt ConditionsFollowing the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to maintain the cash rate at 4.35 per cent, the August 2026 Statement on Monetary Policy highlighted persistent inflationary pressure driven by global energy and fuel costs. While business lending growth remains strong, overall commercial credit conditions have tightened in response to rate settings. The RBA indicated that rate cuts are unlikely in the short term as inflation is projected to return to target only by late 2027. Implication:
Business Owners should review commercial overdraft rates and equipment financing terms with lenders to ensure borrowing costs remain manageable under sustained 4.35 per cent base rates. Accounts and Operations should update cash flow projections to absorb elevated freight and fuel surcharges passed on by transport partners. Long-term capital expenditure plans should be stress-tested against higher interest rates remaining through 2027.Read more about this topic at the RBA website link here
Queensland TradieStart Apprentice Incentive Opens for SME Trades and Field Services The Queensland Government opened applications for the TradieStart Apprentice Incentive, offering direct cash subsidies to construction, trade, and field service businesses hiring new or recommencing apprentices. Eligible small businesses with fewer than 20 employees and annual turnover under $10 million can claim financial support for apprentices commencing after August 1, 2026, once the 90-day probation period is complete. Implication:
Queensland based Owners in trade, manufacturing, and field services must identify any apprentices hired since August 1, 2026. Admin / Finance should mark the completion of the 90-day probation window in payroll calendars to lodge incentive claims immediately upon eligibility. Ensure apprenticeship registration paperwork with the QLD Department of Employment is fully executed to secure funding allocation.
Read more about this topic at the business.gov.au website link here |
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Family Business Succession and Exitability
ASIC Launches Small Business Director Hub Focusing on Governance and RestructuringASIC launched its Small Business Director Essentials hub alongside its refreshed Small Business Strategy to guide directors through corporate governance, financial difficulty, and legal obligations. The hub offers structured modules covering director duties, avoiding illegal phoenix activity, and managing business restructuring. The initiative is aimed at helping small-to-medium family enterprise directors maintain compliance and build sustainable businesses. Implication:
Family business directors should review their governance practices against ASIC’s director roadmap to ensure clear segregation between personal and corporate affairs. Operations Managers and Accounts should ensure formal board minutes and director resolutions are documented for major financial or operational decisions. Review asset protection strategies with legal advisors to ensure personal assets are insulated from operational liabilities.
Read more about this topic at the ASIC website link here
ATO Enforces Strict Governance on Trust Distributions and Division 7A Loan Agreements The ATO continues its enforcement focus on family trust distributions under Section 100A and Division 7A benchmark interest requirements for private company loans. Private company beneficiaries holding Unpaid Present Entitlements (UPEs) from family trusts must put complying loan agreements in place or risk distributions being treated as unfranked dividends. The ATO requires clear documentation demonstrating that trust distributions represent ordinary family or commercial dealings. Implication:
The business must schedule a pre-lodgment review with external accountants to confirm all trust distributions to private corporate entities have formal Division 7A loan agreements executed. Verify that minimum yearly repayments and benchmark interest rates are calculated correctly for existing 7-year loans. Ensure clear documentation exists to prove trust distributions benefit designated family beneficiaries to avoid Section 100A anti-avoidance scrutinies.
Read more about this topic at the ATO website link here Repeated in the SME Risk and Compliance section
ASIC Reports Underutilisation of Simplified Winding Up Process A recent ASIC review (Report 789) found that fewer than 10 per cent of eligible liquidations are utilising the simplified liquidation process introduced for companies with liabilities under $1 million. The data indicates that simplified liquidations resolve significantly faster and return a higher percentage of total payments to creditors, presenting a more efficient exit pathway for distressed small businesses. Implication:
Family business directors contemplating the closure or restructuring of unprofitable subsidiary entities should consult their insolvency advisor about using the simplified liquidation pathway. The business must ensure liabilities are actively managed below the $1 million threshold if an entity wind-down is planned, maximising the chance for a faster and cheaper resolution.
Read more about this topic at the ASIC website link here
Federal Reforms Introduce Higher SMSF Levies and Stricter Setup Rules Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino has announced sweeping financial sector reforms, which include the first increase to the Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) supervisory levy since 2013. The reforms, designed to combat predatory superannuation switching, give the ATO new powers to block rollovers into SMSFs suspected of consumer harm, mandate uniquely identifiable bank accounts for SMSFs, and introduce basic knowledge requirements for new trustees. Implication:
Business owners using an SMSF to hold commercial premises or family wealth must budget for increased ATO supervisory levies in upcoming financial reporting periods. Owners should consult their accountant to ensure the SMSF operates a strictly separated, uniquely identifiable bank account, and that all advisory fees are accurately itemised in the fund's annual financial statements to comply with the new transparency mandates.
Read more about this topic at the Accounts Daily website link here |
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Disclaimer -
This newsletter is general information only. It reflects our views and experience working with family businesses, and it is not legal, financial, tax, or other professional advice. It does not take account of your particular circumstances, objectives, or needs.
Before acting on anything here, obtain your own independent advice relevant to your situation. While we take care with the content, we make no warranty that it is complete, accurate, or current, and to the extent permitted by law we accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on it.
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