Structuring for success means getting the foundations right

Think beyond tax. Business structure impacts everything—growth, protection, succession, and legacy.

You have probably heard that structure matters, but maybe dismissed it as just a “tax thing.” You aren’t entirely wrong—but you are missing the bigger picture.

Your business structure affects your ability to grow, protect assets, plan succession, and avoid family fallout.

Just ask Gina Rinehart or Rupert Murdoch. Different industries, same story: high-profile legal battles over family business inheritance. And these fights aren’t just for billionaires. Across Australia, family feuds erupt over businesses of all sizes—often over surprisingly modest sums.

This report will help you avoid that fate.

In this report: 

Common business structures used in Australian family businesses

Explore the pros, cons, and ideal use cases for key business structures:

• Sole Trader
• Partnership
• Company
• Discretionary Trust
• Unit Trust
• Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF)

Strategic structuring for growth, transition, and asset protection

Learn why the right business structure strategy from day one is essential to:

• Support business growth
• Enable smooth succession planning
• Avoid future legal and tax complications

Plus, guidance on how to evolve your structure as your business matures.

Estate and succession planning essentials

A solid business structure is just the start. Proper planning also includes:

• A valid will
• A memorandum of wishes
• An enduring power of attorney
• Legal documents that clarify ownership, responsibility, and wealth transfer

We break down how these pieces work together—and what can happen when they don’t.

Case studies: Family business structuring in action

Learn from real businesses that got it right (and some that didn’t). These case studies reveal how expert guidance can:

• Prevent family disputes
• Maximise tax efficiency
• Safeguard family wealth
• Ensure smooth leadership transitions