PLL Partners

📣 Important Update for Clients and the Australian Legal Profession

From 1 July 2026, new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) obligations will apply to Australian law firms.

These reforms are being introduced to strengthen transparency, security, and integrity across certain legal transactions. As part of these changes, lawyers will be required to undertake additional identity verification and customer due diligence processes for applicable matters.

At PLL Partners, we have been proactively preparing our systems and processes to ensure your experience continues to be smooth, efficient, and well supported.

What this may mean for you:
✔️ You may be asked to provide identification documents as part of your matter
✔️ Additional verification steps may apply in certain circumstances
✔️ Some transactions may involve enhanced compliance requirements under the new legislation

We understand these changes may be unfamiliar to many clients. Our team is committed to guiding you through each step clearly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to your matter.

If you have any questions about how these upcoming changes may affect you, please contact our office — we are here to help.

🚗 Buying or selling property with car parks in Melbourne?

There’s a tax many people don’t see coming.

From 1 January 2026, the congestion levy has expanded and increased — meaning more Melbourne properties with parking spaces may now attract a significant annual charge.

If you’re dealing with commercial or mixed-use property, it’s something that needs careful attention during conveyancing.

Here are a few key things property owners and buyers should understand:

1️⃣ The levy can be substantial
For 2026, the congestion levy can be:
• $3,030 per parking space in Category 1 areas
• $2,150 per parking space in Category 2 areas
That means a property with 10 parking spaces could face over $30,000 per year in levy liability.

2️⃣ “Parking spaces” include more than marked bays
Even unmarked areas used for parking can count as parking spaces under the law. If the spaces cannot be easily counted, the legislation allows them to be deemed based on area size.

3️⃣ Residential parking is usually excluded
Spaces used exclusively for residential purposes are generally not subject to the levy.
However, if a residential owner rents a parking space to a third party, the levy may apply.

4️⃣ Disclosure in a Section 32 is critical
If the levy applies and it is not disclosed correctly in the Section 32 Statement, a purchaser may have the right to terminate the contract before settlement.

5️⃣ New owners must register with the SRO
Purchasers of land with levy-affected parking spaces must register with the State Revenue Office within one month of settlement, or penalties can apply.

💡 The key takeaway:
Parking spaces can carry significant tax and disclosure consequences in property transactions. Identifying them early can avoid disputes, penalties, and failed settlements.

If you're buying, selling, or developing property with off-street parking in Melbourne, it’s worth getting the legal details right from the start.

📩 If you have questions about congestion levy obligations or property transactions, feel free to reach out to our team.

✨ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ✨

As the year draws to a close, we would like to sincerely thank all our clients and business partners for your trust, support, and collaboration throughout the year.

We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a safe, relaxing festive break.

May the New Year bring you even greater success and prosperity.

Our office will be closed during the festive season and will reopen at 9:00am on Monday, 5 January 2026.

We look forward to continuing our work together and achieving even greater success in 2026.

Warmest wishes,
The team at PLL Partners🎄✨

🚨 Important SMS Changes Coming December 2025 🚨

From 15 December 2025, new government regulations will change how business SMS messages are sent in Australia.

If your business uses an alphanumeric sender ID (like your business name), you’ll need to register it with the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) through the new SMS Sender ID Register to keep using it.

👉 What this means for you

🔹 Option 1: Keep using your sender ID — but you must register and have it approved by ACMA. Registration opens 30 November 2025, and you’ll need:
- Your ABN and business name
- An authorised contact person
- Proof your sender ID matches your business name, trademark, or domain

🔹 Option 2: Switch to a dedicated mobile number — no registration required. This option gives reliable delivery, allows clients to save your number, and instantly recognise your messages.

⏳ Act before 15 December 2025 or your messages may be flagged as “Unverified” or treated as spam.

Start preparing your details now to stay compliant and maintain client trust. ✅

🔹🏢New Tax Reform – Victorian new Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT)🏭🔹

In the 2023-24 State Budget, the Victorian Government announced that land transfer duty (stamp duty) on commercial and industrial property will be abolished and replaced with the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT).

The new CIPT applies to commercial and industrial property transactions with a contract and settlement date on or after 1 July 2024.

Under this new CIPT system:
🔹The first sale of a commercial or industrial property on or after 1 July 2024 will still incur the standard land transfer duty (commonly known as stamp duty for up to 6.5%). This brings the property into the new CIPT tax regime.

🔹At settlement, you will have the option to pay the stamp duty upfront as a lump sum payment or finance the stamp duty through a transition loan facilitated by the government. This loan covers the stamp duty amount plus interest and can be repaid over 10 years.

🔹Subsequent transactions (sales after the first one) will be exempt from stamp duty if the property retains the existing commercial or industrial use.

🔹The Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT) will kick in and be payable 10 years after the first sale (“10th year transition period”). The CIPT is payable annually and it is set at 1% of the property’s unimproved land value.

🔹This is in addition to the usual land tax payable (which is currently payable at rates up to 2.65%).

After the 10th year transition period, properties used for commercial or industrial purposes are liable for the new tax instead of stamp duty.

Please note that mixed-use properties and changes in property will be impacted under this reform. It is crucial to stay updated and informed!

🤝 How We Can Help:
Are you navigating the purchase of a commercial or industrial property? Confused about the upcoming commercial and industrial property tax changes? Our legal team can guide you through the new landscape.

📞 Take Action Today:
Contact us for tailored advice to ensure a smooth transition to the new Commercial and Industrial Property Tax regime.

https://pllpartners.com.au/contact/

📜 Agreement vs. Deed: Know the Difference!
Are you entering into agreements with family, partners, or clients? Understanding the nuances between agreements and deeds is crucial! Here's a quick breakdown:

🤝 Agreement: Think of it as a contract. It requires offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention. Whether it's a sale contract, loan agreement, or service agreement, it's vital to ensure all elements are in place for validity.

📝 Deed: This goes beyond a simple agreement. It confirms promises and obligations, often without the need for consideration (money exchange). Deeds come into play in settlements, litigation resolutions, or when certain actions must be performed by specified dates.

⏰ Limitation Periods: One of the differences is in the limitation period. The timeframe to enforce an agreement differs from that of a deed. While agreements typically have a 6-year limitation period from the cause of action, deeds extend that to 15 years! Remember, these timelines vary by state.

🔍 Case Example: Let's say you've lent money under a loan executed as a deed. If the borrower fails to repay by the agreed date, you have 15 years from that point to take action.

Don't let legal complexities or legal jargon overwhelm you! Whether you're drafting agreements or deeds, ensuring they're valid and binding is key. Need assistance? Our experienced legal team is here to help! Contact us today for expert guidance tailored to your needs.

https://pllpartners.com.au/about/

Bankruptcy and Claw-Back

You had no idea that your spouse is in financial trouble and cannot pay his or her debts. In desperation, your spouse decides to file for bankruptcy. What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process which a person can apply for if he or she is unable to pay outstanding debts. This will release a person from the liability to pay debts to unsecured creditors.

Your spouse transfers the family home to your sole name some months before he or she declared bankruptcy. Your spouse did not know that the trustee in bankruptcy can investigate assets that your spouse owned previously prior to his bankruptcy, and that the trustee has the power to reverse the transfer and claw back the proceeds. The trustee has now written to you to claim the house that was transferred to your sole name. Understandably, you are terrified that you will lose your home. It is time to seek advice.

At PLL Partners, we have helped a number of clients in this situation or other similar circumstances. Please contact us today to arrange for a consultation.

https://pllpartners.com.au/about/

Financial Security as an Act of Love

The subject of money and property are like everything else you communicate in a relationship. It should be an ongoing conversation in a healthy relationship. Of course, timing is important, and the subject should be broached when your relationship becomes serious. The Family Law of Australia allows parties in a marriage or de facto relationship to enter into a financial agreement before, during or after their relationship to resolve disputes in case their relationship breaks down.

The commonly used term, a prenuptial agreement, is a type of financial agreement signed by two people before they are married. The Financial Agreement provides the framework for handling financial issues if the parties decide to divorce to assist in keeping the financial settlement amicable. If you and your ex have reached an agreement about the division of property and finances, then you do not need to go to court. Entering into a financial agreement is an act of love because it provides both parties with financial security should the relationship break down.

Bear in mind that you cannot enter into a financial agreement with your partner in Australia without first getting legal advice from a legal practitioner in Australia. We would be pleased to assist you - please contact PLL Partners today to arrange for a consultation.

https://pllpartners.com.au/about/

THE ART OF THE APPEAL

Navigating Australia’s migration system is not so straightforward, and sometimes even a simple misunderstanding or a missing document you just genuinely forgot to include could end up derailing your visa application and leading to a refusal. Thankfully, a refusal does not automatically mean the end of your stay in Australia, as you may have the option to appeal the refusal at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. An appeal at the Tribunal is essentially a second chance for you to have your visa application assessed from the very beginning, so it makes sense to put your best foot forward and do everything in your power to make sure you meet all the requirements and can get a positive outcome.

Here at PLL Partners, we have successfully navigated many clients through the appeals process and get them back on track in their migration journey here in Australia. Our knowledge of Australia’s visa requirements, and the typical grounds that lead to refusals helps us to prepare the strongest appeal case possible to make sure that you have the best possible chance of achieving a successful outcome at your appeal.

Time is often of the essence if you have had a refusal for your visa. Contact PLL Partners today if you have had a refusal to schedule a consultation to make the most of your right of appeal. https://pllpartners.com.au/about/