After almost two years, Australia is reopening its international borders again to fully vaccinated travellers. The move will likely give a significant boost to our economy, thanks to the return of tourists, business travellers and migrants.

So if you’ve been considering starting a business, this could be your year to get it off the ground. But before diving in headfirst, it might be wise to get some legal advice.

So what questions should you ask a lawyer when starting a business?

  1. What business structure is best for me?

There are four main types of business structure in Australia, each with advantages and disadvantages.

  1. What are my legal obligations?

Your legal responsibilities will differ depending on what type of structure your business falls under. A good lawyer can help you minimise the risk of inadvertently breaching any rules.

  1. How can I protect my ideas?

Your intellectual property is valuable. So, thankfully, there are several ways you can protect your ideas – whether that’s registering a trademark, applying for a patent or getting employees to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Blaine Hattie is a commercial lawyer at Sutton Laurence King Lawyers.

 Launching a new business? Get the right advice by speaking with Sutton Laurence King Lawyers. Call us on 03 9070 9810 or email us on