Victoria’s New Reserve Price Disclosure Law – What It Means for You
By Shawn Mendis (Pakenham, Victoria) The Victorian Government has announced a major reform in the real estate sector aimed at tackling the practice known as under-quoting. Under the proposed changes, real estate agents in Victoria will be required to publish the exact reserve price of a property at least seven days before it goes to...
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Understanding Fair Work Conciliation and Arbitration in Australia
When workplace issues arise, especially involving claims of unfair dismissal, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) plays an important role in helping employees and employers resolve disputes quickly and fairly. One of the most common steps in this process is conciliation, followed by arbitration if the dispute cannot be settled. This article explains what these processes...
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Understanding the 2025 Franchise Law Changes in Australia and Victoria
From 1 April 2025, Australia introduced a new version of the Franchising Code of Conduct, which applies across all states, including Victoria. Some rules will become fully active from 1 November 2025. These updates are designed to make franchise relationships fairer, clearer, and more transparent for both franchisees and franchisors. At Shawn Mendis Lawyers, we...
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Australia’s New Foreign Property Purchase Rules: What It Means for Investors and Housing Supply
For years, I have assisted foreign investors in acquiring properties across Australia, helping them navigate complex legal requirements and secure investments in a thriving real estate market. However, significant changes are coming to foreign property ownership laws in Australia, and it’s crucial to understand their implications, benefits, and how they will shape the housing market...
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Shawn Mendis Lawyers Celebrates a Successful First Anniversary in Pakenham
Shawn Mendis Lawyers is proud to mark one year of dedicated service at our Pakenham office. Since our establishment, we have remained committed to delivering expert legal services with integrity, professionalism, and a client-first approach. This milestone is a testament to the trust and support of our valued clients, our hardworking team, and the wider...
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Proud Sponsor: Shawn Mendis Lawyers at the Pakenham Cup Day 2024
Shawn Mendis Lawyers is proud to have been a key sponsor of the 2024 Pakenham Cup Day, held on Saturday, 21 December at Pakenham Racecourse. This highly anticipated event brought together the community for a spectacular day of racing, celebration, and camaraderie at the heart of Pakenham. The highlight of the day for us was...
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Important Changes to FRCGW effective from January 1, 2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has implemented significant amendments to the Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding (FRCGW) regime, effective from January 1, 2025. These changes impact both Australian residents and foreign investors involved in property transactions across Australia. Understanding these changes is critical for sellers and buyers to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Key Changes: 1. Increased Withholding Rate: The withholding rate has increased from 12.5% to 15% of the property's sale price, making it more important than ever for sellers and buyers to be aware of their obligations under the FRCGW. 2. Removal of Monetary Threshold: The previous exemption threshold of $750,000 has been removed. Now, all property sales, regardless of value, are subject to the FRCGW requirements. This marks a significant shift, particularly for lower-value property transactions that were previously exempt. Implications for Property Sellers: • Australian Residents: Sellers must obtain a clearance certificate from the ATO and provide it to the purchaser at or before settlement. Without this certificate, the purchaser is obligated to withhold 15% of the sale price and remit it to the ATO. To avoid unnecessary complications, it is advisable to apply for the clearance certificate early, as processing can take up to 28 days (though most are issued within a
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Landmark High Court Ruling: ‘Sham’ Terminations Can Cause Psychiatric Injury
On December 11, 2024, the High Court of Australia delivered a significant judgment in Elisha v Vision Australia Ltd [2024] HCA 50, addressing the availability of damages for psychiatric injury resulting from the manner of an employee’s dismissal. Case Background: Mr. Elisha, employed by Vision Australia since September 2006, was involved in a disputed incident...
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Shawn Mendis bags Legal Innovation Award at Victoria Top 100 Asia Innovation Business Leaders!
🏆 We are proud to announce that our Principal Solicitor, Shawn Mendis, has won the Legal Innovation of Victoria Top 100 Innovation Business Leaders Award! This prestigious accolade reflects Shawn’s dedication to advancing legal practice through innovative strategies and solutions, setting a high standard for client-focused service. His commitment to excellence continues to drive our...
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