BAS, GST & Payroll — A Simple Guide for Australian Small Business Owners

Running a business in Australia comes with a set of recurring compliance obligations that can feel overwhelming — especially for small business owners managing everything on their own. Understanding BAS, GST, and Payroll requirements is essential to staying compliant and avoiding costly penalties.

What is a BAS?

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to report and pay various tax obligations, including GST, PAYG withholding, and other business taxes. Most businesses lodge BAS either monthly or quarterly, depending on their turnover and reporting obligations.

Understanding GST

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% tax applied to most goods and services sold in Australia. Businesses with an annual turnover of $75,000 or more must register for GST and include it in their pricing.

Registered businesses can also claim GST credits on eligible business purchases. This makes accurate bookkeeping and proper record-keeping critical for maintaining compliance and maximising available tax benefits.

Payroll Compliance in Australia

Australian payroll obligations are governed by the Fair Work Act and Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting requirements. Under STP Phase 2, employers must report salary, wages, PAYG withholding, and superannuation information to the ATO every time payroll is processed.

Superannuation contributions must also be paid by the required quarterly deadlines to avoid penalties and ensure employees receive their entitled benefits.

Key Compliance Dates to Remember

Keeping track of important lodgement and reporting deadlines helps businesses remain compliant and avoid unnecessary fines.

How We Help

At The Novara Partners, we manage BAS preparation, GST reconciliation, payroll processing, STP reporting, and ongoing compliance obligations for Australian businesses. Our team ensures that every lodgement is completed accurately and on time, allowing business owners to focus on growth rather than paperwork.

Let us handle the compliance so you can focus on running and growing your business with confidence.