General

Commercial Leases

A commercial lease, simply put is the agreement between the owner of business premises (the lessor) to the tenant that is to occupy those premises (the lessee).

The terms of each commercial lease can and usually do differ depending on the nature of the property, the location and the use to which the premises are to be put. There are however many terms that are common to all leases, even if they may be drafted differently in each lease document.

Sometimes confusion arises as to whether a lease is of commercial premises as opposed to retail premises. Retail leases are covered by the Retail Leases Act and there are many additional obligations on the Lessor in relation to retail premises such as the provision of a Disclosure Statement, minimum lease term etc

Prior to entering into a lease, it is a good idea to obtain a condition report or at least take photos or video to show the condition of the premises as at the commencement date and to show what fixtures and fittings were in place.

Some key considerations in relation to a business or commercial lease include:

  • Development consent for the intended use of the premises
  • Term
  • Options to renew or buy
  • Rent
  • The process for and timing of rent reviews (CPI, market, fixed increase etc)
  • Outgoings
  • Security bonds
  • Director guarantees
  • Costs
  • Insurances
  • Repair and maintenance obligations
  • Lessee’s make good and refurbishment obligations on termination
  • Any pre-lease works/promises made
  • Assignment and sub-letting/licensing

It is not uncommon for the parties to enter into a Heads of Agreement or similar document whereby some or all of the above matters and more are documented briefly, such that the key terms are signed off as agreed, but it is usually important to ensure that this document itself doesn’t create a lease and is in fact subject to the parties negotiating and signing a formal written Commercial Lease.

Leasing can be complicated so it pays to seek the advice of a lawyer before entering into a Commercial Lease, an Agreement for Lease or a Heads of Agreement.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to the leasing or licensing of business premises, commercial law or business related matters, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your legal concerns or objectives.

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in Business / Commercial Law / General / Property / Risk management  by 01 Apr 2026 0 comments

What is a Granny Flat Right?

WHAT IS A GRANNY FLAT RIGHT?

You can have a granny flat interest in any kind of dwelling, not just those typically referred to as a “granny flat” (a separate, self-contained building or living area attached to a home or property). It must be a private residence and your principal home.

You cannot however, have a granny flat interest in a property in which you have legal ownership (or your partner or a company or trust that you control).

A “granny flat right” or a “granny flat interest” is where you pay for the right to live in a specific home for life.

Granny flat interests are usually family arrangements providing company and support for older people, but they don’t have to be for social security purposes. They are created when you exchange assets, money or both for a right to live in someone else’s property for life. For example, you could:

  • transfer ownership of your home but keep a lifelong right to live there or in another private property; or
  • transfer assets, including money, in return for a lifelong right to live in a home.

The granny flat right only lasts for your lifetime. It’s not part of your estate when you die, so you can’t give it in your will as part of your estate plan.

DOCUMENTATION

A granny flat right does not have to be in writing however, given that amounts that can be paid for a granny flat right can be significant and they are usually funded by significant events like the sale of a family home, it can be a very good idea to get a lawyer to draw up a legal document so you have proof of what you and the owner have agreed to in relation to the granny flat arrangement.

A Granny Flat Right Agreement can include many things in addition to the amount paid, such as what happens if the property is sold, whether the right can be transferred to another property or what you may get back if you give up your granny flat right, as well as what regular contributions for rent, maintenance or outgoings (insurance, rates, phone etc) may have been agreed.

GIFTING RULES & THE REASONABLENESS TEST

In Centrelink/Department of Human Services terms, a “deprived asset”, also known as “gifting”, is where you give away an asset without getting something of at least equal value in return.

The value of a granny flat right is the amount paid, or the value of the assets transferred, in return for a life interest or life estate in a property.

Centrelink may apply the “reasonableness test” in determining the amount that should be paid for a granny flat right. This test is based on a formula based on a conversation factor relating to your age next birthday and the couple age pension rate.

If the amount paid is equal to or below the value determined by the reasonableness test, then there is no deprivation. However, if the amount you paid for the granny flat right is more than the cost or value of the granny flat right, the excess amount paid is considered to be a “deprived asset”.

This could affect the amount of pension you are paid.

Depending on the value of the granny flat right, you may be considered as a home owner for Centrelink (assets test) assessment purposes, even though you don’t own the home you have the granny flat right in.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Speak to us about how we can assist you to draft a Granny Flat Right Agreement to document your arrangements regarding the use and occupation of part of your home. We will liaise with your financial planner to cover off the financial and social security aspects as there may be other things you can do like contribute proceeds of sale to super.

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to documenting co-habitation and property use agreements and estate planning matters generally, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Dispute Resolution / Estate Planning / General / Property / Risk management  by 01 Mar 2026 0 comments

Changing your name

A person may change their name for various reasons, such when they marry, to hide their identity or to adopt a more ‘acceptable’ or popular name.

You can change your name without formally registering a new name. At law, you can change your name through use and becoming known by your new name however, there are often instances which arise where you may be required to provide evidence of change of name. For such reasons, you can register your change of name.

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) is responsible for registering all changes of name in New South Wales. Prior to 1996, NSW Land & Property Information Service (formerly the Land Titles Office, and now NSW Land Registry Services) used to register Deed Polls Instrument Evidencing Change of Name.

Any individual over the age of 18 who was born in NSW, or permanent Australian residents living in NSW for at least 3 years, may register a change of name at BDM (unless you are a ‘restricted person’, such as an inmate, parolee, subject to a supervision order or a a forensic/correctional patent etc).

If you are a parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years who satisfies these criteria, you may apply to register a change of their name. Children over the age of 12 however must consent to a change of name.

In NSW, you can only change your name once in a 12-month period and 3 times in your lifetime.

Most names can be registered, but not all. BDM will not register a name that:

  • is offensive;
  • is too long (exceeding 50 characters);
  • includes numbers and symbols such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Jnr, Snr; or
  • could be confused with an official title or rank, such as colonel, premier, judge, saint, queen, prince.

In the case of marriage, if you wish to take your husband’s name, a formal change of name is not always required as a Marriage Certificate will usually suffice as evidence of the change however, in the case of re-marriage, if you continued to use your married name, unless you formally registered your married name with BDM, you must use your name as it appears on your birth certificate when you re-marry.

It is an offence to alter or use an additional or other name with the intention to act fraudulently or with an intention to deceive. Persons found to have done so may be subject to criminal proceedings.

Changing your name is relatively easy, provided you have the proper documentation.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Estate Planning / General  by 01 Jan 2026 0 comments

eBikes – are you covered for claims?

eBikes are in the news a lot of late, usually because of near misses and claims that riders are not wearing helmets or driving dangerously. Electric bicycles have risen in popularity because they offer the ability for many, particularly children, to drive themselves around over longer distances than if they had to pedal.

They also save parents time in ferrying their kids around, and money otherwise spent on taxis and Ubers and the like, but without the financial costs associated with cars and motorbikes, each of which require:

  • licensing; and
  • insurance.

Whatever your view is on whether eBike riders should pay for a license to use the roads like other road users, some of the cost of which goes towards the costs of maintaining road infrastructure and the like, one things that is often forgotten is the risk of damage to property, injury or death.

Unlike with a car or motorcycle, that must at least have compulsory third party insurance coverage and regular inspections to maintain registration for use on the roads, there is no requirement for eBikes to be registered, have inspections for roadworthiness… or to have any insurance at all.

As children are the main users of bikes and eBikes, they don’t think about things like insurance, but what would happen for example if your son or daughter drove into the side of a prestige car, hit and seriously injured a person or worse… killed them? Are you covered for claims?

Given the significant risks of injury to persons and damage to property, it can be a good idea to consider whether you can get insurance cover in place. This can be standalone specific cover or perhaps an add on to an existing policy such as home and contents insurance.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

in Asset Protection / Criminal Law / General / Litigation / Risk management  by 01 Dec 2025 0 comments

The new Aged Care Act

Following the federal Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety and in light of Australia’s ageing population and need for aged care, the Aged Care Act 2024 (Cth) (Act) came into force today, 01 November 2025.

Some of the key changes include:

  • promoting and focusing on a person / care-centred approach, making the consumer the focus and providing a new Statement of Rights for individuals accessing or seeking to access to funded aged care services
  • a new Support at Home Program replaces the prior Home Care Packages, Short-Term Restorative Care and Commonwealth Home Support programs
  • greater contributions by consumers through mandatory retention amounts from refundable accommodation deposits (RAD)
  • the concept of supporters
  • a single registration for approved providers (replacing accreditation) and assessment process for individuals that seeks to align risk and needs on an individual basis
  • stronger powers for the aged care regulator – the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

and we discuss some of these below…

Statement of Rights

The Statement of Rights sets out the consumer’s right to

  • exercise choice and make decisions affecting their life, including in relation to funded aged care services and their financial affairs and personal possessions, and be supported when making such decisions
  • take personal risks in pursuit of their quality of life, social participation and relationships
  • be treated with dignity and respect and receive safe, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment, free from violence, degrading or inhumane treatment, exploitation, neglect, coercion, abuse or sexual misconduct
  • have quality and safe funded aged care services delivered consistently with the requirements imposed on registered providers under the Act.

Supporters

The Act introduces a category of persons acting on behalf of an individual called a ‘supporter’ – a person who make decisions for the consumer, such as under an enduring power of attorney or appointment of enduring guardians – and their registration.

The System Governor must register a guardian or attorney as a supporter however, the enduring guardian or attorney must request to be registered and otherwise meet the registration criteria in Part 4 of the Act.

Funding

Consumers receiving funded aged care services and seeking to enter into retirement villages and the like will be required to contribute more to their care based on their capacity to pay.

Consumers will be required to pay accommodation costs in addition to any care costs including:

  • a RAD or a refundable accommodation contribution; or
  • a daily accommodation payment or daily accommodation contribution; or
  • a combination of both

Importantly, the Act continues to provide that a RAD is always refundable to the consumer or their estate, regardless of who actually funds or pays it. Appropriate loan agreements may need to be put in place to protect those that advance funds for a RAD on behalf of a consumer.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact your financial planner or McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

in General  by 01 Nov 2025 0 comments

Road Rules Awareness – Top 10 misunderstood road rules

Here is a guide to the Top 10 misunderstood Road Rules which provides simple answers to many road rule questions, including using roundabouts, when you can and can’t use high-beam and fog lights, and when it is permitted to make a u-turn.

Top 10 Misunderstood Road Rules

Below are some short videos on each topic in the top 10.

Roundabouts

Giving way to pedestrians when turning

Mobile phones

Merging

Keeping left

Using headlights and foglights

U-turns

Safe following distances

School zones

Yellow traffic lights

Road Rules Awareness Week provides an annual opportunity for drivers to refresh their knowledge of road rules. It also allows pedestrians, motorcyclists, passengers and bicycle riders to better understand the rules and improve their safety on or near the road.

 

 

in Criminal Law / General  by 01 Oct 2025 0 comments

Smart glasses and recording without consent

Smartphones are everywhere – they are light, portable and small and often used to record events – and now we have smart glasses, but how does their ease and regularity of use sit with an individual’s right to privacy? Hod do you really know if they are recording?

The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) regulates the use of listening devices.  That Act also covers the use of data surveillance, optical surveillance devices and tracking devices. Breaches of the Act can lead to criminal charges.

What is a listening device?

The Act defines a listening device as:

“any device capable of being used to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a conversation or words spoken to or by any person in conversation, but does not include a hearing aid or similar device used by a person with impaired hearing to overcome the impairment and permit that person to hear only sounds ordinarily audible to the human ear”

so it clearly includes mobile phones, GoPros and video cameras… and yes, smart glasses!

It is an offence under s.7 to knowingly install, use or cause to be used or maintain a listening device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a private conversation to which the person is not a party or to record a private conversation to which the person is a party.

There are some exceptions to this however, such as if:

  • all principal parties to the private conversation expressly or impliedly consent to its use, or

  • you are a principal party to the private conversation and:
    • it is reasonably necessary to protect your lawful interests; or

    • you do not intend to communicate or publish what was recorded or a report of it to anyone who was not party to the private conversation

The onus of proof for establishing an exception lies on the party seeking to establish the exception, and that onus is on the balance of probabilities.

Law enforcement officials can use listening devices in a range of circumstances including where they have a warrant from a Judge or Magistrate; if they don’t have a warrant but there is a serious or urgent matter requiring its use but not enough time to get a warrant; or where a police officer wearing a visible body worn video device etc.

Even if in Court proceedings, the exception to the rule is not found to apply, it might still (but in certain circumstances only) be possible to have the recording, or evidence based on it such as a transcript of what was said, admitted into evidence under the improperly obtained evidence rules in s.138 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW).

What is a private conversation?

A private conversation is conversation where it can be reasonably assumed that those involved in the conversation do not want the conversation to be overheard by others, that is, it is more informal or not public. A private conversation is not private if the people in the conversation can reasonably expect the conversation to be overheard by others…. so be careful when in public as you may be recorded.

Penalties

The best course is generally not to record a private conversation without consent unless it is absolutely necessary.

The penalty for individuals for a serious breach of the Act is an $11,000 fine or up to 5 years in prison.

A person who intentionally or recklessly communicates or publishes the contents of a private conversation which could endanger the health or safety of someone, or prejudice an investigation, faces a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison.

For corporations, offences under the Act attract a maximum fine of up to $55,000.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice.

For more information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au to discuss your needs.

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in Criminal Law / General / Risk management  by 02 Sep 2025 0 comments

All employers now subject to employee “right to disconnect”

Whilst it isn’t news that, under amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) and consequent amendments to Modern Awards, from 26 August 2024 employees of larger employers have the new ‘right to disconnect’ outside of work hours… what many small businesses employers don’t realise is that this law will also apply to them from 26 August 2025.

What is a “small business employer”?

A small business employer is an employer with fewer than 15 employees at a particular time.

When counting the number of employees, employees of associated entities of the employer are also included. Casual employees are not included in this headcount unless they are engaged on a regular and systematic basis (but they also have the right to disconnect).

So what is the “right to disconnect”?

Employees have the right to refuse contact outside their working hours unless that refusal is unreasonable. This right means an employee can refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from an employer or a third party (such as customers, clients, suppliers and related businesses) outside of an employee’s working hours.

Contact is broad and can include in person contact, calls, emails, texts, WhatsApp chats or through other Apps etc.

The right to disconnect is a protected right all employees have under the FW Act. An employee can’t be punished or adversely treated for enforcing a workplace right. Employees are protected from any disciplinary action for reasonably ignoring such emails.

What is “unreasonable”?

When working out whether an employee’s refusal is “unreasonable” other matters may also be considered but the following factors must be considered:

  • the reason for the contact
  • how the contact is made and how disruptive it is to the employee
  • how much the employee is compensated or paid extra for:
    • being available to perform work during the period they’re contacted, or
    • working additional hours outside their ordinary hours of work
  • the employee’s role in the business and level of responsibility
  • the employee’s personal circumstances, including family or caring responsibilities.

It will be unreasonable for an employee to refuse to read, monitor or respond if the contact or attempted contact is required by law.

Importantly, employers are not prohibited from initiating contact with employees, but the employee is not obliged to respond unless it is deemed ‘reasonable’ for them to do so.

Senior employees on large salaries will have limited access to this right as their role or remuneration already will likely include ‘reasonable additional hours’. These laws are mainly for the benefit of Award and lower level employees and those who are expected to be available on call without additional compensation.

Disputes

Disputes about an employee’s right to disconnect should first be discussed and resolved at the workplace level (s.333N).

If that isn’t possible, employees or employers can go to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to deal with a dispute (s.333P).

The FWC can:

  • make a stop order
  • deal with the dispute in other ways (for example, by holding a conference to try to resolve the dispute), or
  • both.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information in relation to business succession, estate planning, litigation and dispute resolution or any commercial law matter, contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your commercial law needs.

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in Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / Employment / General / Litigation / Risk management  by 02 Aug 2025 0 comments

Who gets your Superannuation when you die?

On your death, your superannuation balance will not necessarily be dealt with in accordance with your wishes as stated in your Will. Read that again… slowly, then read on.

Unless you have a valid beneficiary death benefit nomination in place that directs your superannuation fund’s trustee as to who to pay your super balance to, your trustee may have a discretion as to who to pay it to.

The trustees of most retail super funds have a discretion as to who to pay a benefit to. Usually, the fund rules specify the member’s dependents as the class of beneficiaries to be considered first, with the trustee to determine the amounts/proportions but imagine what happens if you are perhaps separated (but not divorced) and you are living with another person (as a de facto) – a dispute could easily arise. What if you have children? What would/should the split be?

To minimise disputes and avoid applications to the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal or the Supreme Court, make a nomination. There are generally 2 types: Non-binding and Binding

NON-BINDING NOMINATIONS

A non-binding nomination is an indication to your trustee of your preferences but it is, as it states – non-binding so the trustee can ignore it. This can be a good idea if there are significant changes in circumstances before your death where you haven’t got around to updating your nomination. The trustee’s discretion could prevent it going to your ex spouse or avoid the situation of you accidentally omitting one of your kids from a benefit.

BINDING NOMINATIONS

A binding nomination is exactly that – binding (provided that it is valid as at the date of death). There are 2 sub-categories of binding nomination: lapsing and non-lapsing.

  • LAPSING – Many funds provide for the lapsing type – and unfortunately these need to be renewed every 3 years or the nominations lapse.
  • NON-LAPSING – Most Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) and some retails funds allow in their deeds for nominations that never lapse (unless you update it). Older SMSF Deeds and their Rules do not allow for the non-lapsing type and may need to be updated.

There are requirements for making any nomination legally valid, witnesses etc.

Speak to us about your estate planning and ensure your wishes are properly documented.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you would like any further information in relation to Wills, estate planning, superannuation death benefit nominations or updating SMSF deeds , please contact us on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au

in Commercial Law / Estate Planning / General / Litigation / Probate / Superannuation / Tax Planning  by 01 Aug 2025 0 comments

How digital assets are dealt with on your death

In the digital world we live in, the majority of our time is spent online, so we build up a substantial base of assets that exist online or in the “cloud”. These assets include:

  • Email accounts
  • Cloud bases storage systems like DropBox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Apple iCloud
  • Cryptocurrency wallets
  • Social media accounts (like FaceBook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok… and the stupid SnapChat
  • Streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount Plus and Disney
  • Domain names, websites and blogs… and even gaming accounts
  • Photos/videos and music libraries
  • other intellectual property

The problem with each of these things is that there is no single way to transfer or deal with them on your death, in your Will or otherwise.

The Terms of Services of social media accounts don’t usually allow transfer of ownership but often do have an in memoriam type mode that can be put in place through the platforms on someone’s death but they often need to be pre-arranged by the deceased before their death (for example setting a ‘legacy contact’ or equivalent).

Many, such as the streaming services, operate on a personal license basis and thus do not allow transfers of accounts, so more of a practical matter intaking control of them (login and password) rather than transferring ownership in a legal sense.

Another problem is that many of the organisations that own and control these platforms are in different countries that may not recognise an Australian grant of probate.

Wishes in relation to digital assets can be expressed in a Will in much the same way as other tangible assets like houses and cars, but consideration needs to be given to the relevant terms of use and licensing agreements and the practical matters involved. Often the wish is to have accounts closed or deleted.

One major practical step to take control of these digital assets that executors and administrators should consider is not cancelling the deceased persons mobile phone as this is often used to get reset codes and other authentications.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information in relation to Wills and estate planning, contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au.

in Estate Planning / General / Intellectual Property / Online Issues  by 01 Jul 2025 0 comments