Legislation+and+Regulations

The Shopfitting is not a regulated industry, however with that said, there is significant legislation and regualtion that impacts heavily on our work and how we perform it. Basically they fall into these main categories.


 * 1) Consumer protection legilation
 * 2) Occupational health and safety
 * 3) Specification and standards
 * 4) Businesses operation and structures

Consumer Protection Legislation
The main consumer protection legislation centre around licensing occupations and work involved on residential properties. Whether it involves kitchen and bathroom remodelleing or renovations or similar construction activites you need to be licensed in NSW. these laws are being harmonised at a nation a level. Basically, in summary any building work with a value over $1000.00 in value must be carried out by a licensed contractor.

For more information on ocupation licensing visit the NSW Department of Fair Trading - Businees Licensing Information Site; []

Occupational Health and Safety
In Australia Occupation Health and Safety laws are undergoing a harmonisation process to ensure that state laws are nationally consistent whre ever practical. Occupation Health and Safety in NSW is regualted by the OHS Act 2001. This is admisiterd by WorkCover NSW. for more information on OH&S visit the OH&S page:

Specifications and Standards;
while ther are no standard specifications on how we go about doing our jobs, there are many specifications for the materials and manfacture of some of our products. i.e. The [|Building Code of Australia (BCA)] (for stair set out). There are important standards developed and published by [|Standards Australia]for the many materials we use. for example; Australian standards can be purchased from the follwing organisation, but you library may have a license to access them for you for free for a short period of time. []
 * timber (softwwods and hardwoods - grading etc.)
 * glass in buildings

Businesses Operation and Structures;
How the business operates and the legislative environment may impact on how we do business. for example there a number a way the business can be set up;
 * sole traders - owner operator - makes all decisons, owns all profits and is responsible all debts.
 * partnerships - spreads the decison making - share of profits and losses.
 * companies - can be owner operated - limited by shares - distribute profits and losses among shareholders

Busineess need to be registered and trading names can be registered (and trademarked if you like, all at a cost) for more information visit the [|Department of Fair Trading] and [|ASIC Business structures]page

Taxation implications include: Income tax resposibilities, Goods & Services Tax (GST), (in NSW) payroll tax may apply to large organisations. for mor information ATO obligations for businees visit the [|Australian Taxation Office (ATO)]

Other legislation and regualtions that impact on business operations
 * Australian Business Numbers (ABN)
 * BAS statements
 * Workers compensation and businees insurance.
 * Superannuation
 * Local council permits and authorisations (building applications and development applications)
 * A link to your local council can be found at the following link: [|Local councils in NSW]