Take Care When Signing Things

• Don't sign anything until you read it.
• Don't sign anything until you understand it.
• Don't sign anything unless you agree with it.
• Don't sign anything with blank spaces or that does not include all the things that are important to you.
• Keep a copy of everything you sign.
• If you're told what is written down really means something different from what you think it means, don't automatically believe it.
• If you're not sure about signing something, take it to a lawyer before you sign it, not after.
• Keep good records.
• A verbal contract is worth the paper it's written on.
• If someone is trustworthy enough to do a deal with, they should be willing to sign a written agreement.
• The answer to "Don't you trust me" is always "It is not an issue of trust; it is an issue of doing things properly".

Take Care When Buying Things

• If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• When you're buying something, don't rely on the advice of a salesman who gets paid only if you buy it.
• When buying a house, hire your own qualified home inspector.
• Do lots of research before hiring a contractor.
• If a deal is valid only if you sign right now, it's almost never a good deal.
• After you buy most things, you do not have 3 days to change your mind.
• You're still responsible for paying your lease, even if you move out early.
• If someone on the other side tells you that you don't need a lawyer, you almost certainly do.

Trade Practices and Consumer Rights

There are many publications about the Trade Practices Act available on the ACCC web site. The easiest way to find them is to look through their Publications by Topic page.

You also have obligations under State Laws as well - e.g. product safety, packaging, warranties etc. General information on this is available at the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs.

Landlords & Tenants - DIY

• Look Before You Lease: Avoiding the Pitfalls in Retail Leasing - Fed
• Landlord's Kit (Residential Tenancy) - SA

CAUTION - provided for reference only as the Laws are different in every State.

• Homelessness Law and Advocacy Resource Manual - Vic
• The tenancy handbook for agents and landlords - NSW
• Info kit for retail tenants - NSW
• Dispute Resolution Kit - NSW
• Share house survival guide - NSW
• Landlord/tenant disputes - Vic
• Tenant's Union Mega List of Fact Sheets - Vic
• Body Corporate - What to consider when buying a flat, unit or apartment - Vic
• Guide for retirement village living - Vic
• Renting a Home: A guide for Tenants and Landlords - Vic

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State Government

is the State Government's website for business.

They have information on a wide range of assistance available for business, including from the Federal Government and private sector. Topics include innovation, training, exports, grants and directories.

Industry Complaints Resolution Bodies

A number of industries have established independent offices to assist the public to resolve disputes with their members. Examples include banking, insurance and telecommunications.

Their sites often have useful information and links. They explain how they can help to resolve a dispute and what you need to do. Usually there are limits on the size of the dispute that they can resolve.

Industry Complaint Resolution Bodies

• Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman (ABIO)
• Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA)
• Australian Communications and Media Authority
• Credit Ombudsman Service(includes mortgage industry)
• Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre
• delete - Workplace Authority Information
• Franchising - Office of the Mediation Advisor
• Financial Ombudsman Service
• Health Insurance Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
• Australian Human Rights Commission (HREOC)
• Insurance Industry Ombudsman
• Intelligence Inspector General of Intelligence and Security
• Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal
• Privacy Commissioner
• Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal
• Social Security Appeals Tribunal
• Superannuation Complaints Tribunal
• Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
• Telephone Information Services Standards Council
• Veterans Review Board

Setting Up Business

The South Australian Government has an excellent website Business SA with information for businesses large and small. Topics include starting a business, growing a business, export, innovation and government assistance.

It has a lot of information that can be downloaded and is a good entry point to finding the business services that are available and how to make contact with them.

Business Plans & Checklists is an online library which brings together a wide range of business tools from a variety of sources.

Other sites to obtain general information on running a business are:

• Business Victoria which has information and checklists on starting and managing a business:
• Federal Government Business Web site
• Venture Capital South Australia and the Industry body Australian Venture Capital Association.
• Franchise Council of Australia and Franchisee Manual
• Occupational Health & Safety Obligations
• Business Licence Information Service
• Business Association Search

Business Enterprise Centres

Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) are independent, community-based organisations, which provide advice and assistance to existing and potential small business owners and operators. They have offices located in city and country areas throughout Australia.

Environment Protection

Environment Protection Authority (SA)

Keep an eye on what is required of your business on the environmental front. Perhaps complete the Eco-Efficiency Checklist to assess the environmental impact of your business:

Intellectual Property - DIY

• Register a Trade Mark using Headstart - Fed
• Confidentiality Agreement Generator - Fed
• Intellectual Property Contract Agreement Generator - Fed
• Copyright related issues - Fed
• Standard Contracts for Arts Law - Fed