The 2024 Federal Budget has set a transformative path for businesses across Australia, signalling substantial shifts in taxation, industry support, and innovation funding. With a focus on strengthening the nation’s economic resilience, tackling the ongoing energy transition, and bolstering key sectors like manufacturing, critical minerals, and renewable energy, this budget aims to provide businesses with the tools and confidence to navigate future challenges.
From Australian small businesses grappling with inflation to multinationals facing more stringent regulatory oversight, the government’s latest fiscal measures offer both immediate relief and long-term opportunities. The $9.3 billion surplus and key investments in areas like affordable housing and clean energy initiatives are designed to address current economic pressures while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. This budget also acknowledges Australia’s role on the global stage, with significant funding allocated to deepening trade relationships, attracting foreign investment, and exploring global employment solutions to ensure the country’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing world economy.
Several elements of the 2024 Federal Budget have been broken down in various discussions throughout the recent months. These elements are then assessed on how they could change the game for Australian businesses of all sizes across the country.
At the core of the 2024 Federal Budget is a strong economic forecast, with an expected $9.3 billion surplus in the underlying cash balance for the 2023-24 financial year. This outcome marks a significant turnaround from mid-year forecasts, largely driven by unexpected growth in commodity prices and personal income tax receipts.
Other highlights include a projected moderation of inflation to below 3 per cent by 2024-25, with the government expecting stability in net debt levels between 20 to 22 per cent of GDP over the next few years. These projections paint an optimistic picture for the economy, especially as the government continues to manage cost-of-living pressures while ensuring that inflationary risks are kept in check.
One of the standout features of this budget is the Future Made in Australia initiative, which emphasises clean energy production and critical minerals. With over $22.7 billion allocated to support these industries through tax incentives and funding, the initiative highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring Australia’s future economic resilience while contributing to global sustainability efforts. The budget also makes notable strides in supporting housing affordability, energy bill relief, and social infrastructure, all of which are geared toward improving productivity and reducing economic disparities across the population.
Moreover, significant changes such as the introduction of superannuation contributions for government-paid parental leave (starting in 2025) reflect a long-term strategy to promote gender equality in retirement outcomes, demonstrating that this budget is not only about economic growth but also social equity.
The 2024 Federal Budget brings with it significant changes to the tax landscape that will directly impact businesses, especially those involved in cross-border transactions, multinationals, and industries at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy transition. For business leaders, understanding the nuances of these changes is crucial, as they could affect financial planning, compliance obligations, and strategic decision-making in the coming years.
This budget underscores the Federal Government’s focus on tax integrity, particularly for multinational corporations. A suite of measures has been introduced to tackle multinational tax avoidance and ensure that companies operating in Australia pay their fair share. The extension of the ATO Tax Avoidance Taskforce, now funded for an additional two years from July 2026, is expected to intensify audits and investigations into large corporations. This taskforce is tasked with identifying key tax avoidance risks in multinationals, large private and public companies, and high-wealth individuals.
In conjunction with the taskforce’s efforts, the government’s renewed focus on mischaracterised or undervalued royalty payments is set to affect businesses operating in industries that rely on intellectual property or licencing arrangements. Beginning in 2026, businesses with global turnovers exceeding $1 billion will face penalties if they are found to have mischaracterised or underreported royalty payments—essentially any payments made for the use of trademarks, patents, or other intangible assets.
This could have a significant impact on industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and mining, where the use of intellectual property is often structured across multiple jurisdictions. Multinational corporations will need to ensure they have accurate and defensible transfer pricing arrangements in place to avoid triggering these penalties.
Several previously announced tax measures have been amended or deferred under the 2024 budget. Of particular interest to businesses is the deferral of the expansion of the general anti-avoidance rule (Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act). Originally set to commence in 2024, this measure will now take effect after the amending legislation receives Royal Assent, giving businesses a reprieve from immediate implementation.
This expansion would give the ATO broader powers to challenge tax avoidance schemes, particularly where companies enter arrangements with the dominant purpose of obtaining a tax benefit. Businesses should still be vigilant and review any complex transactions they have planned, ensuring they are supported by genuine commercial reasoning to avoid falling afoul of the general anti-avoidance rule when it eventually comes into effect.
To ease the regulatory and administrative burdens on Australian small businesses, the government is abolishing 457 nuisance tariffs on imported goods. These low-value tariffs, applied to everyday products such as toothbrushes and kitchenware, have long added unnecessary complexity and cost to importing goods. By removing these tariffs, the government aims to streamline trade processes, reduce costs, and improve supply chain efficiency for Australian small businesses reliant on imported goods.
In addition, the budget allocates $10 million to help small business employers administer the Paid Parental Leave scheme, a task that can often be cumbersome and time-consuming. This funding will provide much-needed support to Australian small businesses, ensuring they can manage employee entitlements without excessive administrative strain.
With recent changes to workplace relations, the budget allocates $20.5 million to the Fair Work Ombudsman to assist Australian small businesses in understanding and complying with the new regulations. This support is intended to help business owners navigate the complexities of modern award systems, employee entitlements, and workplace agreements, ensuring they remain compliant with Australia’s employment laws.
In the franchising sector, the government will invest $3 million to implement reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct, making it easier for small franchised businesses to operate within a fair and regulated framework. An additional $2.6 million is allocated to support Australian small businesses in resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, providing a more accessible and cost-effective way to settle conflicts without resorting to lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.
The budget also introduces reforms to streamline customs and excise licensing, with start dates for certain measures deferred to allow businesses more time to adjust. Most notably, the government has amended the start date for duty-free treatment of commercial shipping bunker fuel to 1 January 2025, removing the need for businesses to pay duty and then claim a refund. This measure is expected to reduce administrative burdens for companies involved in the shipping and logistics sectors, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Additionally, the abolition of 457 nuisance tariffs on various imported goods will take effect from 1 July 2024. This move aims to simplify trade processes and reduce costs for businesses involved in importing goods, ranging from toothbrushes to sanitary products. By removing these low-value tariffs, the government seeks to streamline trade and make it easier for businesses to operate within the global supply chain.
The tax changes outlined in the 2024 Federal Budget present a mixed bag for businesses. On the one hand, companies involved in industries tied to the energy transition and critical minerals will benefit from new tax incentives designed to drive investment and innovation. On the other hand, businesses—especially multinationals—will face heightened regulatory scrutiny, with a clear focus on closing tax loopholes and ensuring compliance with Australia’s tax laws.
For business leaders, the key takeaway is that the evolving tax landscape will require careful navigation. Companies should be proactive in seeking advice on how to structure transactions, particularly those involving cross-border activities, to ensure compliance with the expanded CGT regime and avoid penalties under the new multinational tax integrity measures.
Tax planning will become more complex, particularly for businesses that operate in multiple jurisdictions or engage in significant cross-border transactions. However, for those able to adapt and take advantage of the targeted tax incentives, the opportunities for growth and expansion are considerable, particularly in sectors critical to Australia’s economic and environmental future.
For businesses, the 2024 Federal Budget offers a combination of targeted support, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for growth in strategic sectors. Companies, particularly those involved in renewable energy, critical minerals, and regional industries, will find incentives and support to expand and innovate. On the flip side, businesses need to be mindful of tighter tax regulations, particularly around multinational integrity and capital gains.
The budget presents a future-focused, growth-driven outlook that aims to stabilise the economy, mitigate inflationary pressures, and foster a more sustainable and prosperous business environment. For those ready to adapt and innovate, the opportunities could be transformative.
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