Applications are open for the TiE Women Global Pitch Competition 2026, offering women-led startups a massive launchpad to scale globally.

Managed nationally by the TiE Melbourne chapter, this program gives female entrepreneurs across all Australian states access to world-class mentoring, exclusive investor networks, and global media exposure. Finalists will compete for local investment opportunities before heading overseas to vie for more than US$100,000 in equity-free global prizes, including a US$50,000 equity-free grand prize for the overall winner.

TiE Women 2026: Key Benefits for Australian Startups

What do successful applicants get?  The value of the TiE ecosystem stretches far beyond the final prize money:

• Local Investment Potential: Standout Australian finalists pitch live to regional investors, with up to $50,000 AUD in TiE Angels investment available on the night.
• Exclusive Investor Masterclasses: All accepted Australian applicants gain direct access to three intensive online masterclasses covering Go-To-Market strategy, growth financials, and global storytelling.
• Global Equity-Free Funding: A US$50,000 cash prize for the global winner to inject directly into business growth, plus international flight support (up to $1,500 AUD) for the regional winner to compete overseas.
• Global Mentorship & Pitch Coaching: Direct 1:1 access to experienced entrepreneurs, industry titans, and dedicated business coaches to refine your pitch deck before hitting the global stage.
• Investor Matchmaking: High-visibility exposure to both local Australian networks and international venture capitalists (VCs) and angel networks.

Am I Eligible? TiE Women Competition Criteria

To apply for the 2026 cohort, your startup must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Female Leadership: Have at least one female founder or co-founder.
2. Equity Stake: Female founder(s) must collectively hold a minimum of 33% equity ownership in the company.
3. Company Age: The business must be less than seven (7) years old at the time of application.
4. Product Stage: The startup must be beyond the “idea stage” and possess a viable product, service, or business model (MVP) in active development or already in the market.
5. Scalability: The company must demonstrate clear ambitions to scale and expand internationally.

Note on Participation: Applying and participating in the initial masterclasses is free. Startups selected to advance to the video pitch screening phase will be required to hold or secure an Associate Membership with TiE Melbourne ($225 AUD/year).

Key Dates & How to Apply

Don’t miss out on funding your growth Apply now.  Application Deadline for Australian applicants: 15 June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions: TiE Women Global Pitch Competition 2026

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) Annual Wage Review decision takes effect from 1 July 2026. If your business employs staff under a modern award or relies on the National Minimum Wage, now is the critical window to audit your payroll systems and ensure strict compliance.

A common mistake among business owners is assuming that every employee simply receives a flat 4.75% increase. That is not the case for the 2026 financial year. Under the FWC’s latest structural adjustments, some employees on the lowest award classifications will receive a higher, targeted increase than the standard headline rate due to the Stage 1 phase-out of the C13 classification.

Failing to adjust these specific pay scales correctly places businesses at severe risk of involuntary underpayment claims and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) penalties.

📋 Your 1 July 2026 Payroll Audit Checklist

To safeguard your business against compliance issues, employers should execute a mini payroll audit before processing the first pay cycle in July. Follow these six essential steps:

Confirm Each Employee’s Modern Award Classification

Do not assume last year’s classifications still apply. Review staff roles to ensure their daily duties still align with their current award definitions. Pay close attention to employees who have:

• Taken on more responsibility
• Aged up (junior rates)
• Completed apprenticeships

Any of these milestones may automatically bump them into a higher pay bracket.

Source Official 2026 FWO Pay Guides

Avoid relying on third-party calculators or outdated blogs. Download the official, updated pay guides directly from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) website as soon as they are published in mid-June. Ensure you are looking specifically at the rates marked effective 1 July 2026.

Run Comparative Pay Rate Audits

Line up your existing employee base hourly rates against the newly mandated minimums.

• National Minimum Wage: Ensure anyone on the base rate is moved to $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week).
• Casual Employees: Remember that casual loading (typically 25%) must be recalculated based on the new, higher base rate.

Review Salaried and Annualised Wage Arrangements

If you pay staff an all-inclusive annual salary, you must perform a reconciliation. Ensure that the annual salary is still high enough to cover the new minimum award rates, including any overtime, weekend penalty rates, or allowances the employee actually worked. If the new award minimum outpaces the salary, you must top it up.

Forecast On-Costs (Superannuation & Leave Liabilities)

A wage increase does not happen in a vacuum. It triggers a cascading financial impact across your entire business overhead. Remember to factor in:

• Superannuation Guarantee (SG): Ensure your cash flow accounts for both the higher gross wage and your super obligations.
• Leave Liabilities: Long service leave and annual leave balances must be revalued on your balance sheet to reflect the new, higher hourly pay rates.
• Payroll Tax and Workers’ Compensation: Higher wages will incrementally bump up your state payroll tax obligations and insurance premiums.

⚖️ Do You Have to Increase Above-Award Pay?

A frequent point of confusion for employers is whether the 2026 wage increase applies to staff members who are already paid above the minimum rate.

The short answer: The Annual Wage Review legally changes the minimum safety net.

If an employee is already paid a flat contract rate that sits safely above the newly revised 2026 minimum award rate (including all applicable allowances and penalties), there may not be a legal requirement to increase their pay.

⚠️ Warning: Do Not Guess the Math

Every employee must be reviewed individually. If an above-award rate is absorbed by the new increase, the buffer you once had shrinks. If that employee works significant overtime or night shifts, their flat rate might suddenly fall below the new legal minimum.

The businesses that find themselves facing costly back-pay orders are rarely malicious; they are usually the ones that assumed the changes didn’t apply to them because they “pay well.” Taking a few hours to meticulously audit your payroll data now is the only way to prevent a systemic underpayment issue later.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The headline is simple: “Award wages increase by 4.75% from 1 July 2026”.

But once you look at the detail, it is not that simple.

The Commission has decided to increase the lowest-paid award classifications at a faster rate than the rest of the award system.

As a result, some employees will receive an increase closer to 5.97%, while others receive the headline 4.75%

For example, under the Hospitality Award:

• A Food & Beverage Attendant Grade 1 on $24.95 per hour will increase to $26.44 per hour (5.97% increase).
• But the Food & Beverage Attendant Grade 2 on $25.85 per hour will increase to $27.08 per hour (a 4.75% increase)

Two employees.  Same award.  Different percentage increases.

4 Steps to Ensure Payroll Compliance by 1 July

So, what appears to be a simple annual wage review now requires employers to:

• Review classification levels
• Check updated award rates
• Update payroll systems
• Test for compliance

And that is before considering the inevitable employee conversations when one team member discovers they received a bigger percentage increase than another.

Another day.

Another compliance change.

Another layer of red tape for business owners.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

The Westpac Female Founder Awards are now open for 2026.  (note applications close 30 June 2026)

Award Categories for 2026

The awards recognise women-led Australian businesses across three categories:

Trailblazer Award

For early-stage businesses (three years or less) that are:

• Disrupting an industry or market
• Introducing innovative products, services, or business models
• Demonstrating early traction and strong growth potential

Thrive Award

For established businesses (over three years) that have:

• Achieved sustained financial performance and growth
• Evolved over time to remain competitive
• Built a strong, enduring market position

Greater Good Award

For businesses and social enterprises whose products or services:

• Drive meaningful social or community impact
• Deliver commercial and measurable outcomes
• Embed impact as a core part of their business model
•  

There is also an overall Female Founder of the Year Award selected from the finalists.

Eligibility Criteria for Australian Founders

To be eligible, businesses must be:

• At least 50% women-owned and women-led
• Australian-based
• Operating with a valid ABN
• Majority or wholly Australian-owned

Prizes and Business Support

The awards include:

• Cash prizes ($10,000 to each category winner and $30,000 to the Founder of the Year)
• Mentoring and coaching
• Media training
• Advertising support (up to $120,000 in value for the Founder of the Year)

How to Apply and Key Dates

Apply for the 2026 Westpac Female Founder Awards

Note Applications close on 30 June 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions: Westpac Female Founder Awards 2026

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

With the end of the 2026 financial year fast approaching, small business owners must prioritize tax planning right now.  Once 30 June 2026 passes, it is too late to implement legal strategies to minimize your tax liability.

Maximize your deductions and safeguard your cash flow with these 8 essential business tax tips to consider before year-end.

1. Review Your Debtors and Write Off Bad Debts

Don’t pay tax on income you are unlikely to ever collect.  Review your outstanding accounts receivable ledger before 30 June 2026 and formally write off any bad debts that are genuinely unrecoverable.

• Action Step: Ensure the write-off is properly documented in your accounting software before midnight on 30 June.  If you happen to recover the debt down the track, you can simply declare it as income in that future financial year.

2. Review and Value Your Trading Stock

If your business holds inventory, you must conduct a physical stocktake to verify your stock on hand before the end of the financial year.

• Action Step: If any items are obsolete, damaged, expired, or entirely unsaleable, formally write them down or write them off before 30 June.  Remember, if your current selling price is lower than the original cost, you can generally value that stock at the lower selling price (excluding GST).

3. Pay Employee Superannuation Early

Superannuation is only tax-deductible when it is actually received by the employee’s super fund, not when the clearing house batch is generated.

• Action Step: If you want to claim a deduction for the June quarter superannuation in your 2026 tax return, clear the payments early.  Leaving it until the final week of June is highly risky due to bank and clearing house processing times.  Aim to pay by mid-June to be safe.

4. Optimize Director Fees and Staff Bonuses

Intending to reward your team or directors for their hard work this year?  If you commit to staff bonuses or director fees for work already performed, paying them before 30 June 2026 generally allows the business to claim an immediate tax deduction.

• Action Step: If cash flow is tight and you cannot physically pay before year-end, ensure you properly document and approve a legally binding resolution of the entitlement before 30 June.  Depending on your business structure and accounting treatment, this may still secure the deduction.

5. Consider Personal Super Contributions

Business owners and sole traders looking to lower their personal taxable income should consider topping up their concessional superannuation contributions before 30 June 2026.

• Action Step: Review your available caps.  You may also be eligible to utilize unused carry-forward concessional contribution amounts from the past five years.  Always seek professional advice before making lump-sum contributions to ensure you don’t accidentally breach the cap limits.

6. Prepay Deductible Business Expenses

Small businesses with an aggregated turnover under $50 million can access the “12-month rule” to claim an immediate deduction for prepaid expenses.

• Action Step: Look at expenses covering periods of up to 12 months that extend into the next financial year.  Consider prepaying items like rent, commercial insurance premiums, software subscriptions, professional memberships, or loan interest before 30 June 2026 to bring the deduction forward.

7. Leverage the $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off

For small businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million, you can immediately deduct the full cost of eligible business assets costing less than $20,000 per asset. 

• Important Update: The Federal Budget announced that this $20,000 threshold will become a permanent fixture of the tax system from 1 July 2026. 
• Action Step: While the stability is great news for future planning, for this tax year, the asset must still be physically first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026.  Eligible assets include tools, computers, office furniture, and work vehicles.  Ensure the purchase makes genuine commercial sense rather than being driven purely by tax motives. 

8. Finalize Trust Distributions Before 30 June

If your business operates through a discretionary trust structure, you do not have a post-June window to sort out your paperwork.  Trustee distribution resolutions must be fully prepared and executed before 30 June 2026.

• Action Step: Failure to properly document trust distributions before midnight on 30 June can result in the trust’s default beneficiaries being taxed, or the trustee being taxed on the undistributed income at the highest marginal tax rate (45%).  This is critical if you intend to distribute to corporate beneficiaries or adult children.

Important Disclaimer:

Effective tax planning must always look at your unique business structure, specific circumstances, and cash flow requirements.  The rules vary significantly between companies, trusts, partnerships, and sole traders.  Always consult with a registered tax agent or accountant before implementing these strategies.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Most small businesses are still operating like a manual toothbrush.  They work… but only with constant effort.

The companies pulling ahead in today’s market are not necessarily working harder or putting in longer hours.  Instead, they are leveraging better business systems to scale efficiently.

Think about what an electric toothbrush actually achieves:

• Improves consistency: It delivers the exact same high performance every single time.
• Reduces human error: It guides the user and ensures no spots are missed.
• Eases habit formation: It takes the friction out of doing the right thing.
• Produces better results: It achieves a superior outcome with a fraction of the manual effort.

That is exactly what robust operational and financial systems do for a growing company.

Modern Business Automation Tools to Implement

The “electric toothbrush” of your business operations doesn’t require a complete structural overhaul.  Often, it looks like upgrading core operational pillars:

• 🤖 AI Tools: Reducing manual administration and data entry.
• 📊 Automated Reporting: Real-time metrics delivered without human manipulation.
• 💰 Cash Flow Forecasting: Transitioning from reactive tracking to a forward-looking 13-week forecast.
• 🔄 CRM Workflows: Ensuring client onboarding and lead nurturing happen on autopilot.
• 📋 Documented Processes: Creating repeatable playbooks so the team doesn’t rely on guesswork.
• 📈 Operational Dashboards: Giving leadership instant visibility into business health.

The Hidden Risk of “Heroic Effort”

Many businesses rely too heavily on founder memory, manual workflows, and sheer heroic effort to get through the week.  That model works perfectly fine when you are small, until growth arrives.

When a business attempts to scale without systemised structure, complexity increases exponentially.  Suddenly:

• Internal communication breaks down.
• Costly mistakes and dropped balls increase.
• Financial visibility reduces, making decision-making a guessing game.
• The founder inevitably becomes the ultimate bottleneck.

Technology Without Strategy is Just Chaos

However, technology alone is not a magic fix.  Buying an expensive electric toothbrush does not automatically give you healthy teeth if you leave it sitting on the counter.

Likewise, implementing software without a documented process just creates digital chaos.  AI without strategy creates noise, and automation without financial visibility creates dangerous blind spots.

The businesses that successfully scale over the next decade will not be the ones working the hardest.  They will be the businesses built on the best systems.

Take the Next Step

If you aren’t sure whether your business is running on systems or just your own adrenaline, let’s get clear.  Book a Cash & Clarity Session today to identify your operational bottlenecks and map out a predictable path to growth.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Most Budget commentary focuses on headlines.

But the real impact on small business is usually buried deep in the Budget papers.

After working through the 2026–27 Federal Budget papers in detail, several themes become clear:

• discretionary trusts are firmly in the Government’s sights
• the tax system is shifting away from passive investment structures
• founders and startup businesses may face unintended consequences
• compliance and real-time reporting obligations are accelerating
• and the Government appears to be pushing SMEs toward more formal corporate structures.

Some of the proposed changes are significant and could materially impact:

• family business groups
• startup founders
• property investors
• professional firms
• and businesses operating through discretionary trusts.

Below is a practical breakdown of the key measures small and medium businesses should be watching closely.

Discretionary Trust Changes

One of the most significant reforms in the Budget is the proposed 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028.

This is arguably one of the largest discretionary trust reforms in decades.  The Government’s position is that discretionary trusts facilitate income splitting and provide tax advantages unavailable to ordinary wage earners, marking a clear policy shift toward ‘tax neutrality’ between employees and business owners.

Under the proposal:

• trustees would pay a 30 per cent minimum tax on trust income before it gets to the beneficiary.
• non corporate beneficiaries would receive a non-refundable credit for tax already paid.
• corporate beneficiaries will not get the credit for tax already paid.

The practical consequence is that the traditional tax-planning advantage of distributing income to lower-rate beneficiaries becomes substantially reduced.

For example, based on what is currently proposed, a discretionary trust distributes $50,000 to person.  The tax withheld by the trust would be $15,000.  A person earning $50,000 would normally pay around $6,500 in tax.  They would get the offset against this from the $15,000 from the trust and pay no more tax.  But the extra $8,500 tax paid by the trust is not recoverable.  And if the distribution was to a corporate beneficiary, the trust would without $15,000 tax and the corporate beneficiary would not get any benefit from this.  As you can see, distributions from trusts may result in additional tax being paid (the Government has stated it expects $4.5b in extra tax).

This has potentially major implications for:

• family businesses
• professional firms
• investment structures
• family groups using bucket companies (the corporate beneficiary).

At this stage, the final interaction between:

• bucket companies
• beneficiary distributions
• franking systems
• and trust taxation

will ultimately depend on legislative drafting.

However, based on the Budget papers, the reforms appear likely to materially reduce the effectiveness of many existing discretionary trust strategies.

The Government has recognised the scale of the change by proposing restructuring rollover relief to facilitate movement into:

• companies
• fixed trusts.

This is an important signal.  But there is no money to cover the costs you would incur to do this restructuring.

This proposal represents a major philosophical shift away from discretionary trusts as the default SME and family investment structure.

FYI, the minimum tax will not apply to primary production income of farms, certain income relating to vulnerable minors, amounts to which non-resident withholding tax applies and income from assets of testamentary trusts existing at announcement.

Capital Gains Tax Changes

The headline change is the replacement of the broad 50 per cent CGT discount from 1 July 2027.  Under the proposed reforms:

• the 50 per cent discount for individuals, trusts and partnerships would be removed.
• inflation indexation of the cost base would return.
• a 30 per cent minimum tax on real capital gains would apply.

Note Superannuation funds are not impacted by this decision.  Also excluded are investors who buy new property builds.  But currently pre-CGT assets (those purchased before September 1985), will be subject to tax on any gain after 30 June 2027.  This is a massive ‘hidden’ change. If you have owned an asset since before 1985, its ‘tax-free’ status effectively ends on 30 June 2027. Any growth after that date is taxable.

Valuation issues for all Business Owners

If you sell an asset like your business after 30 June 2027, there is a two-step process to determine the taxable capital gain. 

Step 1 – calculate the gain from when you acquired the asset, to what the asset is worth on 30 June 2027.  That gain will be subject to the 50% discount.  For example, cost base is $100,000 and value at 30 June 2027 was $500,000.  The gain is $400,000 and with the 50% discount the taxable gain would be $200,000.

Step 2 – Then for the growth in asset value after 30 June 2027, the taxable gain will be determined based on the selling price, less the indexed value of the business as at 30 June 2027.  Using the same example above, let’s say the asset sold for $750,000 and the indexed cost base (using the $500,000 value as at 30 June 2027) is $600,000, the taxable gain is $150,000.

This brings the total taxable capital gain to $350,000. 

Presented this way, it appears very simple from a maths perspective.  But to ensure you get the maximum benefit, you will need to determine the value of the asset such as your business, as at 1 July 2027.

The budget papers state an asset’s value at 1 July 2027 will be determined by taxpayers as part of their tax return in the year the asset is realised.  You can either:

• seek a valuation of the asset as at 1 July 2027, which will include using quoted prices for assets such as shares; or
• use a specified apportionment formula that estimates the asset’s value on 1 July 2027, based on its growth rate over the asset’s holding period. The ATO will provide tools to estimate this value for taxpayers.

The smartest option would be for business owner to know both numbers.  The pre 1 July 2027 gain using market value and the gain using the apportionment formula.  The problem is that if you want to do this, then every business owner / founder / investor will effectively need to value their business (and any other capital assets that they own) as at 30 June 2027 / 1 July 2027. 

I am not sure what “proof” the ATO will want around these valuations and whether they will want formal independent valuations for your business.   This could be an expensive and time-consuming exercise for all business owners.

Cost Base Issues for many Business Owners

One area that appears poorly accommodated by the reforms is startup founder and new business equity.  Startup founders and new business owners often:

• take minimal salaries for years
• contribute unpaid labour and risk
• hold equity with very low-cost bases. For example, they could have put $100 in as share capital.

Under the proposed indexed system, many founders may still face large taxable gains despite years of under-compensated work and significant commercial risk.

If the business is in existence today, they can get some relief by valuing their business as at 30 June 2027.  But for founders and new business owners who create new businesses after 30 June 2027, they may suffer from the low dollar indexation of their cost base.  $100 share capital indexed even by 50% is still only $150.  As a result, all bar $50 of what could be a large sale proceeds, would be subject to tax. 

This seems unfair.  But it looks like the Treasurer has heard this and has committed also consult with stakeholders on key details, including the treatment of early‑stage and start‑up businesses given the unique features of the tech and start‑up sector. 

R&D Tax incentive

The Budget significantly expands the R&D Tax Incentive framework while simultaneously increasing integrity and compliance activity. 

Some proposed changes to the R&D Tax incentive that impact small business and startups include:

• turnover threshold for the refundable offset increased to $50.0 million (was $20m).
• offset for businesses under $50m in turnover increases from 18.5% to 23%.
• Businesses over 10 years old will no longer receive a refundable tax offset
• increasing the minimum expenditure threshold to $50,000 (was $20,000).
• expenditure on supporting activities, will no longer be eligible. This will have an adverse impact on many claims.  Business will need to be mindful of how they categorize activity and expenses.
• the ATO has been given more money to look at compliance and fraud in the R&D Tax incentive space.

 Loss Carry Backs

One of the measures the Federal Government announced to help businesses is the permanent introduction of the Loss Carry Back.  This will apply to all businesses with a turnover up to $1 billion and start from the 2027 tax year.

If you have incurred a tax loss in any tax year from the 2027 tax year onwards, and you have paid tax in the previous 2 tax years, you may receive a cash refund of tax paid in these previous 2 years, or a reduction in the debt you owe the Australian Taxation Office.  Obviously, this is up to the higher of the after-tax value of the tax loss or the tax paid in those 2 years.

For example, you pay $100,000 tax in the 2026 tax year but have a tax loss of $50,000 in the 2027 year.  You will be eligible for a refund of $12,500 (being 25% of $50,000).  If the tax loss in the 2027 year was $500,000, the most you would be refunded is the $100,000 in tax you paid.

Loss refundability to help start-ups

From 1 July 2028, start‑up companies with aggregated annual turnover of less than $10m that generate a tax loss in their first two years of operation will be able to utilise the loss to generate a refundable tax offset.

The offset will be limited to the value of fringe benefits tax and withholding tax on wages paid in respect of Australian employees in the loss year.

Instant asset Write off to stay at $20,000 for Small Business

The $20,000 instant asset write off will now be made permanent for small business (turnover less than $10m).  This applies to sole traders, partnerships, trusts, or companies.

So, a plus for small business in that you don’t need to rush out and buy all those assets in June 2026 to get the deduction this year.  But if you are already planning to buy some equipment, you might as well do it before 30 June, as you get the deduction earlier.

Expanding venture capital incentives

Venture capital investors can operate through venture capital limited partnerships (VCLPs) and early-stage venture capital limited partnerships (ESVCLPs), which provide a ‘flow through’ structure and targeted tax incentives to the investors such as tax offsets. 

But these vehicles have caps on deal size.  The Budget proposes to increase the caps on these deal sizes.  Whilst this helps those businesses who fit the investment profile typically targeted by VC funds, this is no help to the many other great businesses out there who VC’s don’t fund.

Small Business Responsible Lending Obligation Exemption Extension

The Small Business Responsible Lending Obligation (RLO) exemption allows lenders to bypass strict “responsible lending” checks for loans intended for small business purposes, simplifying access to credit for small businesses.  This was due to expire on 3 October 2026 but is extended by a further 10 years.

Expansion of the ATO’s dynamic PAYG instalment pilot

This dynamic PAYG instalment pilot allows businesses to vary their PAYG instalments, without risk of interest changes, based on more up-to-date business conditions by using an ATO-approved dynamic instalment calculation embedded in your business accounting software.  Also, business can opt in to pay their PAYG monthly from 1 July 2027. 

It remains unclear whether this will improve SME cash flow outcomes as the budget papers say this increases tax collections.

AI and Productivity

You would expect with the current poor rates of productivity growth in Australia, there would be some effort towards using AI to improve productivity.  But AI barely gets mentioned in the main Budget Papers

There appears to be no money for small businesses to adopt AI to improve their business processes.  All I can see is $70m for the AI Accelerator CRC program rounds (see below for more on this), and more use of AI by government departments to make them more efficient.

To me this appears to be one of the weaker areas in the budget.  A lot of motherhood statements in this “Productivity Package” and I am not sure we will see any meaningful improvement in productivity if we rely on the Federal Government.

Continued or Stopped Funding for small business programs

The Federal Government will continue to fund the NewAccess for Small Business Owners Program and the Small Business Debt Helpline.

As part of the budget repair process the Federal Government has now closed the Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite and Innovate Programs saving $800m+.  For those who don’t know this program was designed to connect university research with business to commercialise this research.  Large adverse hit to the ability to commercialise university research. 

But on the other side the Government is continuing to fund the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) and CRC-P programs.  This includes $70m available through upcoming rounds of the starting in 2026 and 2027 for an ‘AI Accelerator’ to accelerate the development and commercialisation of AI by Australian researchers and businesses.  Business should be on the look for this and work out how they can partner with a university to access this funding.

There is mention in the budget papers for more funding for the CSIRO, but I am hearing of some programs closing.  So not sure where this funding is going.

On top of this, there are further savings of $266.2 million over five years from 2025–26 by redirecting uncommitted grant funding in the Industry, Science and Resources portfolio.  There is no mention of what specific grant programs, but I expect part of this is the reduced funding for the Industry Growth Program.

Will wait and see what other grant program cuts were buried in the budget.

Final Thoughts

This Budget is far more structurally significant than many of the media headlines suggest.

While there are some genuinely positive measures for SMEs, including the permanent instant asset write-off, expanded loss carry-back rules and startup support measures, the broader direction is clear:

• more compliance
• more transparency
• more real-time reporting
• and reduced reliance on traditional tax-planning structures.

For many businesses, particularly those operating through discretionary trusts or holding appreciating assets, the next few years may involve significant restructuring and planning decisions.

The detail of many of these measures will ultimately depend on legislation and consultation, so this remains an evolving space.

If you are a founder, business owner, or growing SME, this is the sort of environment where having strong strategic financial advice matters more than ever.

At aRealCFO, we help businesses navigate:

• growth and scaling
• cash flow and profitability
• funding and capital raising
• business structuring
• commercial strategy

If you would like to discuss how these proposed Budget changes may impact your business or structure, feel free to reach out.

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Are you a woman with a brilliant business idea but lack the funds to prove it works? Global Sisters is launching 10 Big Idea Scholarships in 2026. From February through November, one entrepreneur each month will be awarded equity-free startup funding of $10,000 to move their concept toward reality.

This is validation funding, specifically designed for the “idea stage” rather than growth capital. Whether you are building a traditional startup or a social enterprise, this program provides the financial runway and professional support to test, validate, and build a sustainable business.

Scholarship Benefits: More Than Just a $10,000 Grant

If selected, you receive a comprehensive support package designed to make your business “funding-ready”:

• $10,000 Untied Grant: Capital you can use where your business needs it most—no strings attached.
• Financial Strategy Session: Expert guidance to map out your 13-week forecast and long-term viability.
• Hands-on Growth Support: Dedicated assistance to help you reach funding readiness.
• Access to Networks: Connections to Global Sisters’ ecosystem of partners and corporate mentors.
• End-of-Year Pitch: A high-profile opportunity to present your validated idea to potential funders and corporates.

Who is Eligible for These 2026 Social Enterprise Grants?

To ensure these business grants for women in Australia support those at the most critical early stage, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Early-Stage Idea: You have a concept but no real revenue yet.
• Purpose-Led: Your business must aim for a positive impact on people and/or the planet.
• Australian Based: You must be based in Australia (or a registered partner program).
• Global Sisters Member: You must be a member (membership is free) and have completed at least one of our business programs.
• Active Progress: You are actively building toward a specific business outcome.

What Global Sisters Provides (Always Free)

Even if you aren’t currently eligible for the scholarship, Global Sisters offers a roadmap of support for every female founder:

• Business Education: Comprehensive courses to build your foundations.
• Coaching: Access to both group and 1:1 coaching sessions.
• Workshops & Events: Ongoing skill-building and networking.
• Business Tools: Access to micro-finance, insurance, and e-commerce platforms.

FAQ: Early-Stage Business Scholarships

1. How is this different from other startup grants?

Most early-stage business scholarships require you to have proof of concept or revenue. This scholarship is unique because it is “validation funding”—it is specifically for the stage before you have proven the idea works.

2. Is the $10,000 an untied grant?

Yes. “Untied” means the funding is yours to use for the business as you see fit. It is not a loan, and Global Sisters does not take any equity in your company.

3. Can I apply if I’ve already started selling?

This scholarship is prioritized for those with “no real revenue.” If you have a fully functioning business with consistent sales, you may be better suited for our growth-focused programs rather than this validation grant.

4. What are the “social enterprise” requirements?

We look for purpose-led ideas. This means your business model should solve a problem or create a benefit for the community, society, or the environment.

5. How do I join Global Sisters to become eligible?

Membership is free and easy. You can sign up on our website and enroll in our foundational programs immediately to prepare for the 2026 monthly scholarship intakes.

Bottom Line

This is about validation, not just capital. If you have a vision but haven’t had the resources to prove it yet, the Global Sisters 2026 Big Idea Scholarship is built for you.

Apply Now

Click here to learn more and apply

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Airwallex has officially launched Latitude 37, a program designed to champion the next generation of Australian tech talent. The program is specifically targeting 10+ early-stage AI companies led by founders aged 25 or under.

Program Benefits & Funding

Latitude 37 isn’t just about capital; it’s about global scaling. Successful applicants receive:

• $100,000 Equity-Free Grant: Non-dilutive funding to kickstart your AI venture.
• Strategic Mentorship: Direct access to Airwallex’s leadership and global customer network.
• Global Exposure: Sponsored business trips to tech hubs in San Francisco and Singapore.
• Founder Community: Connection to a cohort of high-performing young entrepreneurs.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Latitude 37 program, founders must meet the following:

• AI is central to your product, service, or business model.
• You’re aged 25 or under at the application deadline.
• You’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have local roots
• You’re still early stage and haven’t raised more than AUD$1m in external funding before the deadline.

Learn More

Click here to learn more

Applications Close 28 June 2026

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052

Yoga for Good Foundation Grants are available to inspire yoga teachers and organisations with worthy goals to do good in their community via yoga.

The average amount of funding that is applied for is up to $10,000, but can be as high as $20,000.

If you are awarded funding, that may involve you agreeing to be one of their brand ambassadors, and they will promote your work via their website, eNewsletters and Social media channels – helping you raise your profile and awareness for the project.

Click here to learn more and apply

Current round of applications close 31 May 2026

Wayne Wanders is an experienced Business Advisor and Outsourced CFO who can help to scale and grow your business profitably. Wayne may also be able to assist you in preparing any grant application. 

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

Click on the below buttons to access free Resources developed by Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO to help your business scale and grow profitably

And Wayne is always posting about new grants, funding options and other resources on LinkedIn that can help your business scale and grow profitably.  Click on the below links and connect with Wayne or follow A Real CFO on LinkedIn.

Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052