Rhodes Docherty

Market Volatility Update - Staying Focused on the Long Term

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 +0000

You may have seen recent headlines about increased market volatility following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. While these developments have understandably unsettled markets in the short term, it’s important to keep them in perspectiv

Get a jumpstart on your finances for 2026

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000

The new year is just around the corner and, while many are thinking about the holidays, a little planning now can help get your finances off to a flying start in 2026.

It’s not just getting your paperwork done or starting

Financial missteps can mean missed opportunities

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:00:00 +0000

In a world of constant financial noise, from market updates and interest rate speculation to economic forecasts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and choose to do nothing.

But inaction can be costly when it comes to building

Forging New Bonds - How Bonds Work

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Bonds are not usually the flashy upstarts of the investment world with their every move reported, like stocks.

But the Trump Administration’s extraordinary refashioning of world trade, with on-again off-again tariffs of e

SMSFs - Keeping it in the Family

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

SMSFs can offer their members many benefits, but one that is often overlooked is their potential as a multigenerational wealth creation and transfer vehicle.

Claiming deductions for working from home

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Since the lockdowns of 2020-2021, the idea of working from home has become much more mainstream, with many still working from home at least some days of the week in 2024.

As we head into the 2023/24 tax season, we offer this re

How to end the financial year on a high note

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

As the financial year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to review your financial affairs and set the stage for a successful new financial year. By taking care of essential tasks and implementing strategic planning, you can position yourself for a sm

2024 Federal Budget Update

Tue, 14 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

What does the Federal Budget mean for me?

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has high hopes that his 2024 Federal Budget will rein in inflation earlier than expected, ease cost-of-living pressures and build a stronger economy in the futu

New Increased Super Contribution Caps

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000

New Increased Super Contribution Caps

As the end of financial year gets closer, some investors are thinking about the most effective ways to boost their super balance, particularly with an increase in the caps on contributions<

Understanding the new $3m super tax

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 22:00:00 +0000

The much-debated tax on superannuation balances over $3 million is inching closer and those who may be affected should ensure they have considered the implications.

Although it<

Investing Mistakes To Avoid

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Investing successfully and improving your investment portfolio can be as much about minimising mistakes as trying to pick the ‘next big thing’. It’s all about taking a calm and considered approach and not blindly following trends

Making Sure Your Deductions Don't Get Personal

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000

It can be easy to overlook your personal use of business assets when it comes to completing your business and self managed super fund tax returns but be warned, the ATO is taking an interest in this area.

Cyber Security and Small Business: Are You Prepared?

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 21:00:00 +0000

We’re all now only too aware of the risk of cybercrime after the well-publicised data hacks of Medibank Private and Optus.
Although these crimes involved large organisations, email scams,<

Trusts and the New Super Tax Rules

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 23:00:00 +0000
Ensuring you’ve structured your finances tax-effectively is always a concern, but with new tax rules for super on the horizon, many people with large balances are considering alternative vehicles to save for retirement.

Will These Super Changes Affect You?

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 21:00:00 +0000

As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon.

Watch out for sophisticated bank impersonation scams

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:00:00 +0000

With the rise in sophistication of banking scams, the ACCC is warning all Australians to be extra vigilant about any unexpected phone calls or text messages purporting to be from their bank.
Scammers are using new technology to make it look...<

How do interest rates affect your investments?

Tue, 23 May 2023 23:00:00 +0000
Interest rates are an important financial lever for world economies. They affect the cost of borrowing and the return on savings, and it makes them an integral part of the return on many investments. It can also affect the value of the currency, which has

8 Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 22:00:00 +0000

8 Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
To make the most of your retirement years, it’s important to have confidence that your savings will last the distance. The best way to achieve that is to have a plan that will h

Mortgage vs Super

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 23:00:00 +0000
With interest rates on the rise and investment returns increasingly volatile, Australians with cash to spare may be wondering how to make the most of it. If you have a mortgage, should you make extra repayments or would you be better off in the long run b

Act now to obtain your Director ID

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 23:00:00 +0000
If you are the director of an Australian company, time is running out for you to apply for your ASIC Director Identification Number (Director ID). All directors of existing companies must apply for their Director ID by 30 November 2022.

Time is running out to secure your business's domain name

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Your business's website domain name ending in .com.au can now change to the simpler .au.

While this new option launched in March 2022, businesses with existing domain names (eg ending in .com.au or .net.au) have had the option of

A Super Window of Opportunity

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:00:00 +0000
New rules coming into force on July 1 will create opportunities for older Australians to boost their retirement savings and younger Australians to build a home deposit, all within the tax-efficient superannuation system.

How to Manage Rising Interest Rates

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 23:00:00 +0000
Rising interest rates are almost always portrayed as bad news, by the media and by politicians of all persuasions. But a rise in rates cuts both ways.  

Higher interest rates are a worry for people with home loans..

The Road Ahead For Shares

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:00:00 +0000
Trying to time investment markets is difficult if not impossible at the best of times, let alone now. The war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates and an upcoming federal election have all added to market uncertainty and volatility.

Pre-Election Federal Budget 2022/23

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Pre-Election Australian Federal Budget 2022-23
The Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, has handed down Australia’s pre-election Federal Budget for 2022-23, his 4^th Budget. The Budget pushes cash hand-outs into the wa

How to Calm Those Market Jitters

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 23:00:00 +0000
It’s been a rocky start to the year on world markets but that doesn’t mean you should hit the panic button. Staying the course is generally the best course, but that’s easier said than done when there’s a big market fall.

SMSFs on the Defensive: Is it time to revisit your strategy?

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 20:00:00 +0000
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have had a challenging year, with COVID-19 linked market uncertainty affecting income and returns. But SMSF trustees haven’t been sitting on their hands.

One of the main reasons people give for wanting to

The New Director ID - Do You Need One?

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 23:00:00 +0000
It’s been a busy year for Australia’s two million plus directors dealing with the pandemic and lockdowns and there’s now a new task on their to-do list.

From 1 November 2021, if you’re a director...

Your SMSF - Wind it up or pass it on?

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Now that new legislation allows a maximum of six members in an SMSF, some fund trustees may be wondering if this could be an easy way to ensure a smoot

Investing Lessons From the Pandemic

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 23:00:00 +0000
When the coronavirus pandemic hit financial markets in March 2020, almost 40 per cent was wiped off the value of shares in less than a month.ⁱ Understandably, many investors hit the panic button and switched to cash or withdrew savings fro

New COVID Support from Federal and NSW Government

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 23:00:00 +0000
New COVID Support from Federal and NSW Government
On 13 July 2021, the Federal and NSW Governments announced extra support for NSW residents impacted by the latest Sydney lockdown. Here is a summary of the support now on offer:

Counting Down to 30 June

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 23:00:00 +0000
It has been a year of change like no other and that extends to tax and superannuation. As the end of the financial year approaches, now is a good time to check some new and not so new ways to reduce tax and boost your savings.

Federal Budget Update 2021-22 - Investing in Recovery

Wed, 12 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Investing in recovery
In his third and possibly last Budget before the next federal election, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is counting on a new wave of spending to ensure Australia's economic recovery maintains its momentum.

Bitcoin Buyers Beware the Tax Trap

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 23:00:00 +0000
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have generated a lot of interest over the past few years, particularly due to the spectacular rise and fall of their market value. From being worth just $1 back in 2011, the value of one Bitcoin today might

How financial advice can pay good dividends during tough times

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 23:00:00 +0000
In a period of market instability due to COVID and low interest rates, many investors are struggling to know where to invest. For those at or nearing retirement, the struggle is even greater. Cash and term deposits used to be considered a safe

Granny flats: tax tips and traps

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:00:00 +0000

The idea of adding a granny flat to your property sounds like a great idea. A property to rent out to generate some welcome extra income, or a home for adult children or mum and dad in their later years.

Getting Retirement Plans Back on Track

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 23:00:00 +0000
After a year when even the best laid plans have been put on hold due to COVID-19, people who were planning to retire soon may be having second thoughts. You may be concerned about a drop in your super balance, insecure work, or an uncertain investment out

ATO Alert - Covid Affecting Car Fringe Benefits for Emplolyers

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 03:00:00 +0000

ATO Alert - COVID Affecting Car Fringe Benefits
The ATO is warning employers to take care to avoid unnecessary FBT for car fringe benefits provided to employees.
As a result of the COVID lockdown

JobKeeper - Easing Eligibility

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 01:00:00 +0000

JobKeeper - Easing Eligibility
More businesses and not-for-profits will be eligible for JobKeeper payment extension under a $15.6 billion change to the scheme announced on August 7.

2020 Federal Budget - Building a Bridge to Recovery

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 23:00:00 +0000
Building a bridge to recovery In what has been billed as one of the most important budgets since the Great Depression, and the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dragged Australia into its first recession in almost 30 years, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the next phase of the journey is to secure Australia's future. As expected, the focus is on job creation, tax cuts and targeted spending to get the economy over the COVID-19 hump. The Treasurer said this Budget, which...

Your Post-COVID Business Repair Kit

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 03:00:00 +0000
With June 30 behind us and the economy slowly re-opening, most business owners are thinking about the challenge of repairing and rebuilding their finances after the COVID-19 lockdown. Over the next few months, key tests will come with the withdrawal of government stimulus measures like JobKeeper and the return of your normal wages, rent and financing expenses. An end to landlord rent deferrals and business loan repayment holidays, for those who had them, will make cashflow and debtor ma...

Super changes add flexibility

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 01:00:00 +0000
Just when you thought you had a grip on the superannuation rules, they change again. This time though, the changes are mostly positive, especially for older super members keen to top up their savings. From 1 July 2020, changes came into effect with the potential to help retirees as well as members suffering financial hardship due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. If you are not working you may be able to contribute to super for longer, while couples can take advantage of spouse contr...

JobKeeper and JobSeeker extended in COVID lifeline

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 23:00:00 +0000
The JobKeeper Payment has been extended by a further six months to March 2021, targeting support to those organisations which continue to be significantly impacted by COVID-19. From 28 September 2020, eligibility for the JobKeeper Payment will be based on actual turnover in the relevant periods. The payment rate will be reduced and a lower payment rate will be introduced for those who work fewer hours. Other eligibility rules remain unchanged. Business eligibility Organisations seekin...

Have casual workers been granted annual leave?

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 23:00:00 +0000
Have casual workers been granted annual leave? News headlines recently stated that casual workers have won the right to paid leave following a decision in the Federal Court. As usual, the devil is in the detail. At present, there is no global change granting Australian casual workers paid leave. The case however, highlights the long running problem of determining over time, who is a permanent staff member and entitled to paid leave and other benefits, and who is a casual worker entitled...

The ATO's JobKeeper Audit targets

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 23:00:00 +0000
The JobKeeper subsidy has progressed beyond the rush for eligibility and entered its second phase: compliance. Late last month, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released guidance highlighting where the regulator will focus its compliance resources. The JobKeeper estimates error Hindsight is a dangerous lens as Treasury discovered last month announcing that the number of employees expected to be covered by the JobKeeper scheme was overstated in the original announcement by approximat...

Helping You Navigate Uncharted Territory

Tue, 26 May 2020 23:00:00 +0000
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in dramatic and unprecedented changes for many families and households, impacting social lives, workplaces and finances. As financial advisers, we are responding to the unfolding crisis to assist our clients to manage the financial repercussions. From looking at how the Government's measures will impact your finances, to developing a plan to assist you to be positioned in the best possible way to make it through this period, we can provide suppo...

Keep the economy moving

Tue, 05 May 2020 23:00:00 +0000
Keeping the economy moving The Morrison Government's mind-bogglingly large support packages to get Australians through the COVID-19 shutdown have dominated headlines, and rightly so. Only months ago, the Australian economy was in relatively good shape and headed for a Budget surplus. It's not just the Government that has swung into action. Behind the scenes, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has also pulled out all stops to keep the economy moving. RBA monetary policy is...

Stick to Investment Principles

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000
Sticking to investment principles The reporting on COVID-19 has caused panic and fear across global markets and economies. The topic is now a permanent fixture across all aspects of media. From a financial perspective, there are two possible paths: 1. A recession across multiple countries driven by a partial shutdown of industry and the workforce; or 2. An economic recovery driven by a two-pronged fiscal and monetary stimulus from governments, coupled with a realisation that the vir...

Now is not the time to try to time the markets

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 02:00:00 +0000
Now is not the time to try and time the markets After showing great resilience, and perhaps a degree of complacency, equity markets have fallen sharply in recent days. A relatively sudden surge of confirmation of corona virus outbreaks outside of China has been the main trigger for the correction. However, Apple's removal of previous earnings guidance and a deterioration in some leading economic indicators (such as the preliminary reading of the U.S. Purchasing Mana...

The Hunt for Dividend Income in 2020

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 03:00:00 +0000
The Hunt for Dividend Income in 2020 With interest rates at historic lows and likely to stay that way for some time, retirees and other investors who depend on income from their investments are on the lookout for a decent yield. Income from all the usual sources, such as term deposits and other fixed interest investments, have slowed to trickle. Which is why many investors are turning to Australian shares for their reliable dividend income and relatively high dividend yields. The aver...

The Changing Nature of Debt

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:00:00 +0000
Australians delight in their nation punching above its weight. But there's little to celebrate in being the world's silver medallists; we're a nose behind the Swiss when it comes to household debt. i With the present-buying, holiday-taking season nigh, millions of Australians could soon find themselves sinking even deeper in the red. Older readers may remember a time when credit was hard to come by and people were cautious about going into debt. But those days are long g...

Steering through choppy seas

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000
Like it or not, we live in interesting times. More than a decade after the Global Financial Crisis, the global economy is facing fresh headwinds creating uncertainty for policy makers and investors alike. This time around it's not a debt crisis, although debt levels are extremely high, but geopolitical instability. The ongoing US-China trade war and Brexit confusion in Europe have increased market uncertainty and volatility and put a spoke in the wheel of global growth. The Internatio...

Building wealth in diversity

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 23:00:00 +0000
What a difference a year makes. In recent months, Australian shares hit a record high, the Aussie dollar dipped to levels not seen since the GFC and interest rates were cut to historic lows. Towards the end of 2018, shares were in the doldrums and while experts agreed the Aussie dollar would go lower most tipped the next move in interest rates would be up. All of which goes to show that when it comes to predicting financial markets, the only sure thing is uncertainty. There's no avoidin...

Positives and Negatives of Gearing

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0000
Positives and negatives of gearing Negatively gearing an investment property is viewed by many Australians as a tax effective way to get ahead. According to Treasury, more than 1.9 million people earned rental income in 2012-13 and of those about 1.3 million reported a net rental loss. So it was no surprise that many people were worried about how they would be affected if Labor had won the May 2019 federal election and negative gearing was phased out as they had proposed. With the Coali...

Backyard Building Boom

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000
Backyard Building Boom - tax implications of redeveloping your property
With house prices rising and well-located land becoming scarce in cities, many Australians are looking for creative ways to tap into the value of their own backyard. Some subdivide, while others take the knock-down and rebuild route. But like most things in life, the tax man takes a close interest when it comes to redeveloping your property, so it's important to get professional advice to ensure you don't ...

Entertainment expenses - what can I claim?

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000
Entertainment expenses - what can I claim? The days of the Long Lunches of the 1980s may be well behind us, but there is still a lot of confusion around when entertainment expenses can be claimed as a tax deduction and how this interacts with Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). It can be easy to make mistakes that can add a lot to your business's tax bill!
When is food and drink (and other entertainment) deductible? It can be difficult, at first glance, to determine where you...

Don't lose your life insurance in super!

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 23:00:00 +0000
Don't lose your life insurance in super! You may have recently received a letter from your super fund, suggesting that your insurance may be cancelled. This is a result of new Federal legislation passed earlier this year. The objective of this legislation is to ensure that people are not paying for insurance that they do not need. The assumption is that people who are no longer contributing to a super fund, most likely also no longer need the insurance available through these funds. ...

After the election: Tax changes on the way

Wed, 29 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000
With the uncertainty of the federal election now out of the way, we can look forward to some significant reforms to Australia's existing tax system. The Morrison Government went into the election with a comprehensive suite of tax proposals and these are now likely to pass swiftly through Parliament, as the Opposition has indicated it will support the legislation. So just what are the changes we are likely to see when it comes to both our personal tax and the taxes that apply to small ...

Tax changes ahead as Federal Election looms

Wed, 08 May 2019 04:00:00 +0000
What could change for taxpayers after the Federal Election? With the Federal election only weeks away, both major parties have set out their plans for taxation of superannuation, especially as it relates to SMSFs. There are also new taxation plans for individuals and trusts. But it can be hard to wade through all the policy speeches and interviews, so here is a quick summary of the current law and the possible changes to come after the election: Comparison of policy areas...

February 2019 Economic Update

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 23:00:00 +0000
February 2019 Review - Markets continue strong recovery
The share market recovery experienced in January picked up further pace in February with leading indices across the globe recording solid gains. Some of the notable developments for the month included: Positive sentiment stemming from the hope of a trade agreement between the US and China Global bond yields remained steady, while Australian yields fell The benign outlook for interest rates supported listed infrastructu...

Investment implications of franking credit changes

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000
Investment Implications of franking credit changes. The proposed changes announced by the Federal Opposition to the way franking credits operate will have significant implications for some investors; but will have little to no impact for the majority of investors. Under the existing framework, franking credits exist to ensure that the dividends paid by companies to shareholders are effectively taxed at the marginal rate of the shareholder. As such, credits are passed through to the shar...

January 2019 Economic Review

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 01:00:00 +0000
January 2019 Review - Share markets bounce back strongly A strong recovery on global equity markets over January saw approximately half of the December quarter decline reversed. Highlights for the month were as follows: A significant bounce back occurred across all major world share markets. Bond yields continued to drift lower as the U.S. Federal Reserve appeared to soften its stance. Lower bond yields resulted in significant gains on listed property and infrastructure marke...

What to watch as online retail takes off

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 03:00:00 +0000
The retail sector is experiencing a dramatic shake up with massive growth in online shopping indicating a shift in how consumers interact with products, sales and spaces. Recent figures speak for themselves. Domestic online sales represented more than 50% of 2017 total retail sales growth in Australia as opposed to three years ago when they accounted for less than 10%.i This rapid growth is staggering in a sector that has otherwise been sluggish of late. But what does it mean for consumers?...

Low Value Imported Goods (LVIG) - GST Impact

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 07:00:00 +0000
From July 1, 2018, new legislation has come into effect that imposes GST on goods that are deemed to be Low Value. This means any product, such as books, jewellery, electronic devices, sports equipment, cosmetics, or clothing will incur a 10% GST on the price of the item, regardless of its value, when imported into Australia. Prior to this legislation, imported goods worth less than A$1,000 were GST free. Read on to find out more about what low value goods are and if you are a su...

Tax claims for work-related car expenses

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 07:00:00 +0000
Another year another ATO crackdown! It seems each year, the ATO chooses a theme to focus its attention on when it comes to work related expenses. In years past, we've seen crackdowns on laundry, travel and self-education. This time round, the focus could fall on car expenses. Many small-medium businesses work on the principal that if the business incurred an expense, then it must qualify as being a deductible. Our response to this is may be, may be not! Let's first look ...

Rhodes Docherty - we're with you for the long haul

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 07:00:00 +0000
We live in dynamic times - fads, fashions and trends seem to come and go. This is also true of small-medium businesses on average, in Australia, just over 1000 new business start-up each month. Even more alarming is the fact that according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 60% of small businesses will cease operating within the first 3 years of them starting. So, it's refreshing and comforting to come across a business that has weathered the storm while gaining a s...