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Published: January 2026 | Paul Lukasiewicz, Harbourlight Ledgers The way Australian employers pay superannuation is changing. From 1 July 2026, you'll need to pay your employees' super on payday - every payday - instead of quarterly. If you've got employees, this affects you. Here's what you need to know, and what you need to do. What's Changing? Current system (until 30 June 2026): Super paid quarterly Due dates: 28 October, 28 January, 28 April, 28 July You have up to 3 mon

Posted: December 10, 2025 | By Paul Lukasiewicz, Harbourlight Ledgers Every January, the same pattern repeats: Small business owners across Australia make the same resolution: "This year, I'm going to stay on top of my bookkeeping." By February, they're already behind. By April, they're scrambling before the first BAS deadline. By June, the receipts are piling up in that drawer we don't talk about. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. But there's a better way. Why Decem

After completing my Master's in Professional Accounting and Cert IV in Bookkeeping, I realized something: Most small business owners don't need complex financial strategies. They need someone to handle their bookkeeping properly so they can focus on what they actually do. Allied health practitioners want to see patients, not chase receipts. Tradies want to fix things, not figure out GST. Consultants want to solve client problems, not reconcile bank accounts. So I built Harbou

"Starting Harbourlight Ledgers has taught me something important: Most small business owners don't need fancy financial strategies. They need their bookkeeping done properly so they can focus on their actual work. Allied health practitioners want to help patients, not chase receipts. Tradies want to fix things, not figure out BAS. Consultants want to solve problems, not reconcile accounts. That's why I'm building a bookkeeping practice focused on keeping things simple and acc

If you're a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, or speech therapist running your own practice, you already know: your bookkeeping is complicated. Not complicated in a "lots of transactions" way. Complicated in a "multiple funding sources with different rules" way. Let me paint the picture you're probably living: Monday Morning You see six clients. Two are NDIS plan-managed (invoiced to their plan manager). One is NDIS NDIA-managed (claimed through the porta

Running a small business or solo practice is hard enough. The last thing you need is wasted hours, missed deductions, or surprise tax bills because the books weren’t handled properly. Harbourlight Ledgers fixes that. We streamline your bookkeeping, organise your accounts, and keep everything compliant — so you stop bleeding money through mistakes, late lodgements, and inefficient systems. Here’s how we help you get ahead: Save Money: Accurate, proactive bookkeeping means fewe

New legislation has confirmed that from 1 July 2026, super must be paid on payday, not quarterly. Compliance expectations are already tightening, so now’s the time to get your systems in order. ✅ What this means for you • Super timing will be closely monitored — late payments won’t slide anymore. • Your bookkeeping needs clear tracking of wages + super each pay cycle. • Even solo practitioners should prepare now if they plan to hire or subcontract later. 🔧 How Harbourlight L

Most businesses don’t fail because the owners lack passion or skill — they fail because they run out of control before they run out of money. Behind every closed door is usually the same story: No clear visibility of cash flow. Poorly tracked expenses. Invoices going out late — or not at all. A sense of chaos behind the scenes that slowly eats away at confidence and momentum. The truth is, financial mismanagement isn’t dramatic — it’s silent and gradual. You don’t always see

For many small businesses, it’s more than just numbers on a page—it’s late invoices, missing receipts, un-reconciled accounts, and scrambling to meet BAS deadlines. Designers juggling multiple clients, photographers chasing late payments, boutique property managers trying to track rent and expenses—sound familiar? This year, you don’t have to face that stress. Harbourlight Ledgers helps small businesses get on top of their bookkeeping before the chaos begins. We organise your

Behind every struggling business, there’s often a common thread: disorganised or neglected bookkeeping. When your books aren’t up to date, small issues quickly become serious problems: Bills pile up because you don’t know what’s due or when. Invoices go unpaid because no one’s tracking who owes you what. Cash runs short right when you need it most — wages, rent, or BAS deadlines. Tax time turns chaotic, with missing receipts and last-minute scrambles. You lose clarity, making

This is how a good bookkeeper can help you. Cash flow is the most critical day-to-day factor in keeping your business alive. You can be profitable on paper and still run into trouble if your cash isn’t managed properly. Late invoices, unexpected expenses, and irregular income can quickly drain your momentum — and your bank balance. That’s where good bookkeeping makes all the difference. At Harbourlight Ledgers, we will help you to keep a record of your transactions, we will h

If you’re spending more time fighting your numbers than running your business, it’s time to hand that over. A good bookkeeper doesn’t just “do the books” — they take problems off your plate so you can focus on what actually grows your business. Whether you’re behind on reconciliations, tired of chasing receipts, or just need accurate, reliable numbers you can trust — now is the right time. At Harbourlight Ledgers , I help creative and boutique businesses stay organised, compl

Running a small business is no small feat — every dollar counts. The good news? The Australian Government offers several grants and programs designed to support small businesses with innovation, growth, and expansion. But before diving in, here’s the truth: grants aren’t “free money.” They usually come with specific eligibility rules, reporting requirements, and deadlines. Still, if your business (or your client’s) fits the criteria, they can provide a real boost. 🔍 Key Fede

Running your own business means juggling a million things—but keeping your books in order is non‑negotiable. You might consider a bookkeeper if: You spend hours each week reconciling accounts, chasing invoices or managing expenses. You’re unsure if your records are accurate, up-to-date, or compliant with BAS and tax requirements. You want clear insights into cash flow, profit margins, and business performance—but don’t have time to create reports yourself. You want peace of m

At Harbourlight Ledgers, we understand that boutique businesses aren’t like everyone else.  You’ve built something unique — a business defined by craftsmanship, personal service, and attention to detail. Your bookkeeping should reflect that same level of care. We provide accurate, organised, and reliable bookkeeping tailored to your business’s size and style.  Whether you’re a creative studio, small retailer, or specialist service provider, we make sure your numbers are clear

Tax Return Deadlines & Penalties Running a business is busy enough without the ATO knocking on your door — and missing lodgement deadlines can cost you. Lodgement deadlines If you lodge your own return, the usual deadline is 31 October. If you use a registered tax or BAS agent you may have later dates — but only if you’re on their client list by 31 October. Australian Taxation Office Penalties for late lodgement (Failure to Lodge — FTL) The ATO calculates FTL as 1 penalty uni

When you’re running a business, it’s easy to assume every expense has GST built in — but that’s not always the case. Understanding which costs are GST-free makes your bookkeeping and BAS much clearer.  Common GST-free expenses: Basic food: fresh fruit, veggies, bread, milk, plain meat, eggs. (But meals from a café or processed foods usually include GST.) Health: visits to doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, and some medicines on prescription. Education: school fees, uni cour

Running a small business often feels like sailing into new waters — and one of the first questions that comes up is whether to register for GST before you have to. The rule is simple: if your annual turnover is under $75,000, you’re not required to register. But sometimes, choosing to register early can give your business an advantage. The trick is knowing whether it’s right for you. Why Some Businesses Register Early ⚓ Credibility at the docks  To bigger businesses and gover