Category: Beck Legal
Running or Starting a Charity? What you need to know
Anna DoughanPrincipal SolicitorCommercial and Succession Planning Establishing a charity in Victoria involves several important steps to ensure compliance with legal and operational requirements. Below is a simplified guide to help you understand the key considerations: Public Benefit and Charitable Purpose To qualify as a charity, your organisation must serve a public benefit and align with ...
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Include a Charity Week: Charitable Bequests in Your Will
Nathan Scott Director Commercial and Succession Planning This week is Include a Charity Week – a national campaign encouraging Australians to consider leaving a gift in their Will to a cause they care deeply about. Leaving a charitable bequest in your Will is a meaningful way to create a legacy that lives on well beyond your lifetime. ...
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Legal Blind Spots: 5 Mistakes That Could Cost Your Business
Shaun Stephenson – Senior Associate Commercial Succession Planning All business owners know, running a business is demanding. This means, legal issues are often the last thing on your mind. But when those issues are what can lead to expensive consequences, it is important to ensure preventative measures are put in place early. Here are five ...
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Proposed new land access legislation
Our Property and Development Director Josh Ennis spoke with ABC News Victoria about the Victorian Government’s proposed legislative changes concerning land access for transmission project construction. If passed, the amendments would introduce new penalties and grant authorities the power to use force to access private farmland — a move that has sparked significant concern among ...
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Estate Planning for Blended Families
SHAY COLLINS – ASSOCIATE Succession Planning,Wills and Estates Blended families are becoming increasingly common in Australia. Recent data shows that they now account for around 12% of all families, that is over 311,000 households. These families often include children from previous relationships, which can create unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. In Victoria, ...
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Do you own vacant residential land? Do you know about the new changes coming into effect 1st January 2026?
Residential land in metropolitan Melbourne that has remained undeveloped for at least 5 years may attract VRLT from the 1st of January 2026 onwards. What does this mean? Residential land capable of development cannot remain undeveloped without attracting VRLT. From the 1st of January 2026, VRLT may also apply to residential land outside inner and ...
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Landholder Duty. A reminder that share and unit transfers can be dutiable
Josh EnnisDirector Property and Development As we all know, the transfer of all real property in Victoria typically incurs stamp duty (subject to some limited exceptions). In addition, if a company or unit trust holds an interest in land with a market value of $1,000,000 or more, the transfer of shares in that company or units ...
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Landmark VCAT Ruling Reshapes Exit Fees and Rent for Deceased Residents in Lifestyle Communities
In a decision that could reshape the financial landscape of retirement living in Victoria, the VCAT has ruled against the operators of Wollert Lifestyle Community (Lifestyle) in a case that challenged the exit fees agreements and rent charged to deceased residents’ estates. This case, brought forward by a group of residents, highlighted long-standing concerns about ...
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SRO announces passing of the Act
The State Taxation Acts Amendment Act 2025 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 24 June 2025. The Act implements a 2025–26 Victorian Budget measure and makes various changes to taxation laws including: Extension of the temporary off-the-plan duty concession Family violence tax relief measures Build-to-Rent (BTR) provisions Changes to the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax ...
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VNI West Transmission Project Delayed: What It Means for Landholders
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has announced a two-year delay to VNI West transmission project, pushing the expected completion date from 2028 to late 2030.This delay is part of a broader trend of setbacks affecting key transmission projects across Australia, including Project EnergyConnect, Marinus Link, and Humelink. These delays have significant implications for landholders ...
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