Structly Learn
Starting a business in Australia, explained properly.
Plain-English guides on company setup, trusts, compliance, and everything else ASIC won't explain to you.
Featured guides
Starting out
Sole trader vs company — which structure actually fits
Sole trader or Pty Ltd company is the first real fork in the road for any Australian founder, and the honest answer depends on liability, tax, and how big you actually plan to get.
Starting out
What is a Pty Ltd company in Australia? A plain-English guide
A Pty Ltd is a separate legal person owned by its shareholders and run by its directors — here is what that actually means for first-time founders in Australia.
Starting out
How much does it cost to register a company in Australia?
The headline number is $611 to ASIC, but the real cost of registering a company in Australia depends on what you bundle around it.
Trusts and SMSFs
SMSF trustee company setup: the complete Australian guide
If your accountant has told you to set up a corporate trustee for your Self-Managed Super Fund, here is exactly what that means, what it costs, and how to do it without overpaying ASIC for the next twenty years.
All guides
Every guide is written by the Structly team — ASIC Registered Agent #53096, Brisbane-based.
Starting out
Business name vs company name: what's the difference
A business name is what you trade as. A company name is a separate legal entity. They sound similar, do different jobs, and most founders end up registering both.
8 min readReadHow much does it cost to register a company in Australia?
The headline number is $611 to ASIC, but the real cost of registering a company in Australia depends on what you bundle around it.
9 min readReadSole trader vs company — which structure actually fits
Sole trader or Pty Ltd company is the first real fork in the road for any Australian founder, and the honest answer depends on liability, tax, and how big you actually plan to get.
10 min readReadWhat is a Pty Ltd company in Australia? A plain-English guide
A Pty Ltd is a separate legal person owned by its shareholders and run by its directors — here is what that actually means for first-time founders in Australia.
9 min readRead
Company structures
Trusts and SMSFs
Discretionary vs unit trust: which one fits your structure
Discretionary trusts give the trustee flexibility over who gets paid; unit trusts give holders a fixed slice. Which one fits depends on who you're sharing the structure with.
8 min readReadFamily trust setup in Australia: a plain-English guide
A practical walkthrough of how a discretionary family trust is structured in Australia, what each role does, what it costs, and when a corporate trustee is the cleaner choice.
10 min readReadSMSF trustee company setup: the complete Australian guide
If your accountant has told you to set up a corporate trustee for your Self-Managed Super Fund, here is exactly what that means, what it costs, and how to do it without overpaying ASIC for the next twenty years.
9 min readRead
Compliance and ongoing
ASIC fees 2026 explained — what you actually pay and when
A plain-English breakdown of every fee the Australian Securities and Investments Commission charges in 2025–26, why those numbers move each July, and what it costs if you fall behind.
9 min readReadDirector ID Australia: what it is, who needs one, and how to apply
A Director Identification Number is a 15-digit identifier every company director in Australia must hold for life, and you need it before you register a new company.
8 min readReadThe GST registration threshold in Australia: when you have to register
If your business turnover is approaching $75,000, the Australian Taxation Office expects you to register for GST within 21 days of crossing the line.
8 min readReadSpecial purpose company ASIC fee: who qualifies for the $67 discount
If your company exists solely to act as a trustee, run a regulated super fund, or hold a home unit, you may pay $67 a year instead of $329 — but the qualifying rules are strict.
7 min readRead
Still not sure?
Stanley will ask six plain-English questions and recommend the right structure for your situation. No payment until you're ready.