Government & Compliance templates for Australia
Browse all 15 free government & compliance legal templates for Australia. Download as PDF or Word.
Tax Forms
ABN, ACN and GST Registration Checklist (Australia)
Create an ABN, ACN and GST Registration Checklist for an Australian individual or business entity. This comprehensive checklist guides sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts through the process of obtaining an Australian Business Number (ABN) under A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth), registering a company to obtain an Australian Company Number (ACN) under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and registering for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) under A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). An ABN is an eleven-digit identifier issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR) that is essential for conducting business in Australia. It is required to issue valid tax invoices, register for GST, register a business name with ASIC, claim fuel tax credits, and interact with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Under A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 (Cth), an entity is entitled to an ABN if it is carrying on an enterprise in Australia within the meaning of s 9-20 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth). Hobbies and activities with no commercial character do not qualify. ABN applications are free and can be lodged online at abr.gov.au, typically processed within 20 business days — though companies often receive their ABN immediately after lodging the application. For companies, the ACN must be obtained before applying for an ABN. The ACN is a nine-digit number issued by ASIC when a company is registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It must appear on all company documents, correspondence, and public materials under s 153 of the Corporations Act. Company registration is completed by lodging ASIC Form 201 (Application for Registration as an Australian Company) via the ASIC Connect portal, with a registration fee of AUD $576 as at 2025-26 (subject to change — always confirm current fees at asic.gov.au). GST is a 10% broad-based consumption tax on most supplies of goods, services, and other things in Australia, governed by A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). Under s 23-5 of the GST Act, registration is mandatory when annual GST turnover reaches or exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 for non-profit bodies). GST registration is also mandatory for providers of taxi and rideshare services regardless of turnover, under s 23-15 of the GST Act. Registered businesses must charge 10% GST on taxable supplies, issue valid tax invoices that include the supplier's ABN, and lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) with the ATO on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis depending on the business's size and elections. This checklist also covers PAYG withholding obligations (for businesses that employ staff), superannuation guarantee obligations under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) — currently 11.5% of ordinary time earnings for 2024-25 — business name registration with ASIC under the Business Names Registration Act 2011 (Cth), and workers compensation insurance requirements for each state and territory. It is suitable for use by individuals starting a new business, accountants and solicitors advising clients on business registration, and existing businesses reviewing and updating their registrations. Payroll tax is an additional state and territory obligation that applies when an employer's total Australian wages exceed the relevant state's threshold — ranging from approximately AUD $700,000 in some jurisdictions to AUD $1.2 million in others. Each state and territory has its own payroll tax legislation and rate. Unlike PAYG withholding, payroll tax is a cost borne by the employer, not withheld from employee wages. Businesses with employees across multiple states must register and lodge payroll tax returns separately in each state where their wages are taxable. This checklist flags payroll tax as an important consideration for growing businesses, though the specifics of each state's regime are outside the scope of a Commonwealth registration guide.
Business Activity Statement (BAS) Guide (Australia)
Create a BAS preparation worksheet for Australia. Organise GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, FBT instalments, and fuel tax credits before lodging your Business Activity Statement with the ATO.
Declarations & Affidavits
Affidavit of Marriage / Single Status (Australia)
Create a sworn Affidavit of Marriage or Single Status for use in Australian visa applications, overseas marriages, immigration and consular requirements. Declares marital status, eligibility to marry, and prior marriage history under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) and the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth). Accepted by the Department of Home Affairs, Australian embassies and consulates, and foreign marriage authorities.
Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report (Australia)
Create an Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic), EPBC Act 1999 (Cth), and equivalent state legislation. Covers Traditional Custodian consultation, cultural heritage register searches, field survey methodology, impact assessment, and recommendations including Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs).
Statutory Declaration (Australia)
Create a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration in the form prescribed by Schedule 1 of the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth). Compliant with the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth). Used for identity verification, lost documents, government applications, and other official purposes. Must be signed before an authorised witness (JP, lawyer, pharmacist, police officer, and others listed in section 8 of the Regulations).
Court Forms
General Affidavit (Australia)
Create a General Affidavit for use in Australian court proceedings and legal matters. Compliant with the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) and applicable state and territory evidence legislation. Suitable for Federal Court, Family Court, state Supreme Courts, Local Courts, NCAT, and other tribunals. Sworn before a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, or other authorised witness. Includes jurat block and annexure schedule.
Affidavit of Gift (Australia)
Create a sworn Affidavit of Gift confirming that property, money, or other assets were transferred as a genuine gift with no consideration paid or payable. Used in Australia for stamp duty exemption applications, Centrelink asset and income declarations, and tax purposes. Accepted by state revenue offices, Services Australia, and financial institutions.
Affidavit of Heirship / Next of Kin (Australia)
Create an Affidavit of Heirship identifying the heirs and next of kin of a deceased person in Australia. For probate applications in state Supreme Courts, estate administration, intestate succession under state Succession Acts, bank and superannuation claims. Sworn before JP or solicitor. Includes will details, estate assets, debts, and family tree facts.
Affidavit of Identity (Australia)
Create an Affidavit of Identity for use in Australia. Confirms your current legal name, date of birth, residential address, and identity documents. Includes name change history where applicable. Used for Centrelink, Australian Passport Office, ATO, banks, courts, and government agencies. Sworn before JP or solicitor. Compliant with the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth).
Affidavit of Ownership (Australia)
Create a sworn Affidavit of Ownership confirming lawful ownership of real property, a motor vehicle, boat, or other asset. Used in Australia for insurance claims, vehicle registration transfers, court proceedings, and replacement title applications. Accepted by state and territory courts, insurance companies, and government agencies.
Affidavit of Residency (Australia)
Create an Affidavit of Residency confirming your residential address in Australia under oath. For visa applications (Department of Home Affairs), ATO tax residency, court proceedings, government benefits, and financial institutions. Sworn before JP or solicitor. Includes previous address history and annexure schedule for supporting documents.
Affidavit of Service (Australia)
Create a sworn Australian Affidavit of Service confirming that legal documents were properly served on a party to court proceedings. Compliant with the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (NSW, Qld), Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), Federal Circuit and Family Court Rules 2021, and equivalent rules in other Australian jurisdictions. Records personal service, substituted service, and service on corporations. Required for filing proof of service in all Australian courts and tribunals.
Fair Work Complaint (Australia)
Lodge a complaint or application with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) or the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Covers unfair dismissal (Part 3-2, s394), general protections dismissal and non-dismissal (Part 3-1, ss365 and 372), underpayment of wages and entitlements, breaches of the National Employment Standards (NES), workplace bullying (Part 6-4B, s789FC), sexual harassment in connection with work (Part 3-5A, s527C), adverse action, and sham contracting. Includes strict 21-day deadline warning for dismissal applications.
Freedom of Information Request (Australia)
Submit a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request to an Australian Commonwealth, state, or territory government agency. Compliant with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and corresponding state FOI Acts (including NSW GIPA Act 2009, Victorian FOI Act 1982, Queensland RTI Act 2009, WA FOI Act 1992, SA FOI Act 1991, Tasmanian RTI Act 2009, ACT FOI Act 2016, and NT Information Act 2002). Request access to government documents, agency files, ministerial records, briefing notes, and decisions affecting your rights. Includes option to request a fee waiver on grounds of financial hardship or public interest.
Privacy Complaint to OAIC (Australia)
Lodge a formal privacy complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 36 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Covers all 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) including unauthorised collection, use, and disclosure of personal information, data breaches, denial of access or correction, direct marketing, cross-border data transfers, and failure to maintain data security. Suitable for complaints against Commonwealth agencies, large private sector organisations, health service providers, credit reporting bodies, and other APP entities.
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