Legal Blog

Skilled Migration to Australia for Professionals from Asia: Subclass 189, 190 and 491 Explained

Skilled visas 189, 190 and 491 explained for professionals in Asia: points test, skills assessment, English, state nomination and common mistakes.

After the 188 closed: realistic options for business owners and investors

The 188 has closed. Options for business owners and investors now: National Innovation visa, sponsoring through your own business (482/186), 188 to 888.

Australia's National Innovation Visa (858): permanent residence for exceptional talent, entrepreneurs and investors

National Innovation visa (858) explained: who qualifies, EOI, priority sectors, evidence, nominators and common mistakes, from Melbourne lawyers.

Elderly Parents Living Between Two Countries: Powers of Attorney, Medical Decisions and Protecting Their Money

Parents living between Australia and Asia? Victorian enduring powers of attorney, medical decision makers, overseas equivalents, VCAT, granny flat risks.

Before you move to Australia: a legal checklist for wealthy families

Planning a move to Australia? A Melbourne lawyer's checklist on visas, tax residency, offshore structures, wills, FIRB rules and bringing money in.

Cross-Border Family Business Succession: Passing the Baton in Asian Families

Succession for family businesses across Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong: family constitutions, shareholder agreements, buy-sell, mediation.

Family Trusts and Overseas Beneficiaries: Victorian Surcharges, Testamentary Trusts and Who Controls the Trust

Children overseas? Your family trust may be a foreign trust for Victorian surcharges. Deed amendments, testamentary trusts and appointors explained.

Parents Helping a Child Buy a Home in Australia: Gift, Loan, Trust or Joint Title?

Helping your child buy in Melbourne? How gifts and loans are treated on separation, BFAs, FIRB approval, foreign purchaser duty and first home buyer rules.

Cross-Border Estates: Assets in China or Southeast Asia and Probate in Victoria

Parent died with assets in China, Southeast Asia or Melbourne? How Victorian probate, resealing, PRC succession rules and apostilles fit together.

Inheriting Australian Property as an Overseas Beneficiary: Tax, Duty, Land Tax and FIRB

No inheritance tax in Australia, but overseas beneficiaries may face CGT on sale, 15% withholding, Victorian land tax surcharges and FIRB rules.