Building a House in Victoria? Know Your Rights!
Building your own home is exciting but it is also one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. In Victoria there are three separate pieces that must work together: • your land and building contract with the builder• your construction loan with the bank or lender• your legal protection as a consumer under...
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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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Shawn Mendis Named Double Finalist at 2025 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards
We are proud to share some incredible news from Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2025 – our Principal Solicitor, Shawn Mendis, has been named a finalist in not just one, but two prestigious national categories. Wills and Estates Partner of the Year New Partner of the Year (SME Law) This is a significant...
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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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