Compliance acronyms & references.

Thirteen principles in Schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 that set minimum standards for how APP entities collect, use, disclose, and secure personal information.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Before disclosing personal information to an overseas recipient, the disclosing entity must take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient does not breach the APPs. The discloser remains accountable.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Reasonable steps must be taken to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Part IIIC of the Privacy Act. Eligible data breaches that are likely to result in serious harm must be reported to the OAIC and to affected individuals.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The federal regulator for privacy and freedom-of-information matters, including enforcement of the Privacy Act and the NDB scheme.

Last checked 29 April 2026

From 10 December 2026, APP entities that use computer programs to make, or substantially help make, decisions that significantly affect an individual's rights or interests must disclose that use in their privacy policy.

Last checked 29 April 2026

International term for personal information; under Australian law the equivalent statutory term is "personal information" as defined in s 6 of the Privacy Act.

Last checked 29 April 2026

NSW health-information privacy regime that applies in addition to the federal Privacy Act for health service providers operating in NSW.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Victorian regime governing the handling of health information by Victorian organisations and the public sector.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Software (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot, Rex) used to manage customer data, interactions, and pipeline. In the compliance context: CRM systems are often the largest store of personal information a business holds, making them a key scope item for Privacy Act, NDB, and APP 11 (security and destruction) obligations.

Last checked 29 April 2026

European Union privacy regulation that can affect Australian businesses handling EU residents' personal data, especially through overseas platforms, leads, customers, or suppliers.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Requires APP entities to give individuals access to their personal information on request, subject to limited exceptions.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Requires APP entities to take reasonable steps to correct personal information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Network address that can identify or help identify a device or connection. IP addresses can be personal information where reasonably linkable to an individual.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Core operational software used by professional practices or property businesses. PMS platforms commonly hold sensitive client, tenant, patient, or business records.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Video surveillance system feeding fixed cameras to a recorder or NVR. Premises CCTV captures personal information (faces, vehicle plates, location and time) and falls within the Privacy Act / APPs for businesses subject to them, plus state surveillance device laws (e.g. SDA 1999 VIC, WSA 2007 NSW).

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australia's financial-intelligence agency and AML/CTF regulator. Receives suspicious-matter, threshold-transaction, and international-funds-transfer reports from reporting entities.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Reporting and program obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, regulated by AUSTRAC.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Extends AML/CTF obligations to additional gatekeeper professions (real estate agents, accountants, lawyers, trust and company service providers, dealers in precious stones/metals). Reporting obligations commence 1 July 2026.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Reporting entities must file an SMR with AUSTRAC when they form a suspicion on reasonable grounds about a designated service. Time limits: 24 hours (terrorism financing) or 3 business days (other).

Last checked 29 April 2026

Cash transactions of A$10,000 or more (or foreign-currency equivalent) must be reported to AUSTRAC within 10 business days.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Reporting entities must report instructions to transfer funds in or out of Australia within 10 business days.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Customer-identification and verification procedures used to satisfy AUSTRAC's CDD requirements before providing a designated service.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The full set of obligations to identify, verify, and on-going monitor customers. Includes initial CDD, on-going CDD, and Enhanced CDD (EDD) for higher-risk customers.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Additional CDD steps required when ML/TF risk is high - e.g. PEPs, customers from high-risk jurisdictions, or unusually complex transactions.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Individuals entrusted with prominent public functions, plus their close family and known associates. Triggers EDD and senior-management approval.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Sanctions list of persons and entities subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian autonomous and UN sanctions law.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Inter-governmental body that sets global AML/CTF standards and publishes lists of high-risk and monitored jurisdictions.

Last checked 29 April 2026

External dispute resolution scheme for financial services and credit complaints. Membership is mandatory for AFSL and ACL holders.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Statutory scheme that pays compensation (capped at A$150k per claim) where an AFCA determination against a financial firm goes unpaid.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Licence required to carry on a financial-services business in Australia, regulated by ASIC under Chapter 7 of the Corporations Act 2001.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Obligations under Part 7.8A of the Corporations Act requiring issuers and distributors to make a Target Market Determination (TMD) and distribute products consistent with it.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The combined financial crime risk that AML/CTF programs are designed to prevent. ML is the process of making criminal proceeds appear legitimate; TF is moving funds to support terrorist activity. Both are reportable to AUSTRAC - TF via SMR within 24 hours, ML within 3 business days.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Corporate, markets, financial services, and consumer credit regulator. Relevant to companies, credit licensees, mortgage brokers, accountants, and financial-services workflows.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Controls, laws, and procedures designed to detect and prevent criminals from disguising illicit funds as legitimate money.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Licence required to engage in credit activities under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, regulated by ASIC. Brokers may operate under their own ACL or as a credit representative of an aggregator's ACL.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal Act establishing licensing, responsible-lending, BID, and conduct obligations for consumer credit and credit-assistance providers.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Statutory duty (mortgage brokers since 2021; financial advisers since 2013) to act in the best interests of the client when providing credit assistance or personal advice, and to prioritise the client's interests over the licensee's.

Last checked 29 April 2026

ASIC's guidance on the responsible-lending obligations under Chapter 3 of the NCCP Act: inquiries, verification, and the unsuitability assessment.

Last checked 29 April 2026

ASIC's primary guidance on how mortgage brokers should comply with BID, the conflict-priority rule, and the conflicted-remuneration provisions.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Mandatory enforceable IDR standards: 30-day response timeframes for credit complaints (21 days for credit hardship), written reasons, and IDR data reporting.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Obligation on AFSL and ACL holders to report significant breaches and likely breaches to ASIC within 30 days of "reasonable grounds to believe".

Last checked 29 April 2026

From 10 June 2025, BNPL products are regulated as a Low Cost Credit Contract (LCCC) under the NCCP Act - providers need an ACL and must comply with a modified responsible-lending regime.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Regulated credit category capturing BNPL, certain wage-advance products, and other small-amount low-cost credit. Subject to modified responsible-lending obligations.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Industry association. MFAA membership requires adherence to its Code of Practice and CPD requirements above ASIC's minimum.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Industry association for finance and mortgage brokers. Membership requires adherence to its Code of Conduct.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A regulated complaint-handling process used by financial firms before a matter escalates to external dispute resolution such as AFCA.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Credit-law obligations requiring reasonable inquiries, verification, and assessment that a consumer credit contract is not unsuitable.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Person or business authorised by an Australian Credit Licence holder to engage in credit activities on the licensee's behalf.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Benchmark used by lenders as a reasonableness check for living expenses. It is not a substitute for making and recording actual expense inquiries.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Loan amount as a percentage of the property value. Higher LVR loans usually require deeper risk assessment and may trigger mortgage insurance.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Borrowing structure used by some SMSFs to acquire assets. It has specialist superannuation, credit, advice, and compliance implications.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Mortgage-broking disclosure document that sets out proposed credit, fees, commissions, and other information before credit assistance proceeds.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Required information statement for reverse mortgages, designed to help consumers understand costs, risks, and long-term impacts.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Declaration that credit is wholly or predominantly for business purposes. Misusing a BPD to avoid consumer-credit protections can be unlawful.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australia's principal revenue collection agency; administers tax, super, and registries on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Periodic statement used to report and pay GST, PAYG instalments, PAYG withholding, FBT instalments, and other taxes.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Annual report (lodged by 28 August) of payments to contractors in building & construction, cleaning, courier, road-freight, IT, and security industries.

Last checked 29 April 2026

ATO requirement to report payroll information (salaries, PAYG withholding, super liability) at the same time as paying employees.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Compulsory employer super contribution. From 1 July 2025 the rate is 12%; from 1 July 2026 ("payday super") contributions must be paid at the same time as wages.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal regulator of registered tax agents, BAS agents, and tax (financial) advisers. Administers the Code of Professional Conduct.

Last checked 29 April 2026

11-digit identifier issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR) to any entity carrying on an enterprise in Australia. Required for GST registration, PAYG, invoicing, and as the foundation for ATO compliance. Must be cancelled within 28 days if the business ceases.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australian tax identifier issued by the ATO. TFNs are high-risk identifiers with specific handling rules and should be collected, stored, and destroyed only where legally required.

Last checked 7 May 2026

A broad-based 10% tax on most goods, services, and other items sold or consumed in Australia. Registered businesses report GST through BAS lodgements.

Last checked 7 May 2026

ATO withholding and instalment system used for employee tax withheld from wages and, separately, business income-tax instalments.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Expanded STP reporting that sends more detailed payroll, income, allowance, deduction, and employee-status data to the ATO each pay event.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Private superannuation fund managed by its members. Advice, audit, lending, LRBA, and AML/CTF treatment can trigger specialist licensing and compliance obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

National agency that supports the 15 National Boards (including the Dental Board) in regulating registered health practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

Last checked 29 April 2026

National Board (under AHPRA) that registers dental practitioners and sets professional standards, codes, and guidelines.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Practices and policies to prevent the transmission of infection in healthcare. The NHMRC Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare are the national reference.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Revised Australian Standard for sterilisation and reprocessing in healthcare. Replaces AS/NZS 4187 and AS/NZS 4815. Transition deadlines apply.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal radiation-safety regulator. Publishes Radiation Protection Series codes, including RPS C-7 for dental radiology.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal regulator for therapeutic goods (medicines, medical devices, biologicals). Maintains the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

Last checked 29 April 2026

Peak professional body for dentists in Australia, publishing dental practice guidance, advocacy, and professional resources.

Last checked 7 May 2026

TGA register of therapeutic goods that can be lawfully supplied in Australia, including medical devices and some products used in dental settings.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Virus transmitted through blood exposure, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Dental infection-control systems manage BBV exposure risk.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Dental and maxillofacial imaging technology that creates 3D images. Use involves radiation-safety, justification, training, and equipment-quality controls.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Panoramic dental X-ray image. OPG equipment and image-taking practices sit within radiation-safety and diagnostic-imaging controls.

Last checked 7 May 2026

National public-health network that develops communicable-disease guidance and supports coordinated responses across Australian jurisdictions.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian health and medical research body whose infection-prevention guidance is a key reference for healthcare and dental settings.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Person appointed or recognised to oversee radiation-safety arrangements, records, training, and compliance for a practice or site.

Last checked 7 May 2026

ARPANSA publication series covering radiation protection codes, standards, and guidance used by regulators and healthcare practices.

Last checked 7 May 2026

The primary Australian / New Zealand wiring rules standard. Mandatorily called up by state electrical safety regulations.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The "test and tag" standard. Sets inspection/test methods and intervals for portable electrical appliances and RCDs.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Mandatory standard for solar PV array installation, including isolation, labelling, and DC-side requirements.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Standard governing grid-connected inverter installations, including the AS/NZS 4777.2 inverter requirements.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Mandatory NSW electrical compliance certificate, lodged with NSW Fair Trading. Records the licensed person who did the work and confirms it complies with AS/NZS 3000.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Victorian compliance certificate lodged via the EnergySafe Victoria ESVConnect portal. Required for prescribed and non-prescribed electrical work.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Victorian electrical, gas, and pipeline safety regulator. Administers electrical licensing, COES, and inspections.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Allows a licensed worker registered in one Australian state/territory to perform their occupation in another without a second registration. Some occupations and conditions are excluded.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Industry body that accredits solar installers and signs off STC-eligible installations under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Renewable-energy certificates created when an eligible solar / wind / hydro / heat-pump system is installed; surrendered by liable retailers under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Electrical safety device that disconnects supply when leakage current is detected, reducing electric-shock risk.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Solar technology that converts light into electricity. Electrical compliance material commonly uses PV for solar generation systems.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Vehicle powered partly or fully by electricity. EV charger installations create electrical safety, load, and compliance obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Specialist electrical work and competency area for equipment installed where flammable gases, vapours, dusts, or fibres can create explosion risk.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian industry association for electrical and communications contractors.

Last checked 7 May 2026

The Australian Building Codes Board's primary technical code for buildings (Volumes 1 & 2) and plumbing & drainage (Volume 3 = PCA). Adopted by states under their Building Acts.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Joint Commonwealth/State/Territory body that develops the National Construction Code.

Last checked 29 April 2026

NSW Act introduced after Opal Tower / Mascot Towers. Imposes a statutory duty of care on design and building practitioners and a regulated-design declaration regime for class 2 buildings.

Last checked 29 April 2026

NSW residential builders' insurance scheme that protects homeowners where the builder dies, disappears, becomes insolvent, or has their licence suspended for failure to comply.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The Queensland regulator for the building and construction industry. Issues contractor licences, handles home warranty insurance, investigates building defects, and enforces the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A joint standard published by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand. Referenced in legislation and contracts as the technical benchmark - e.g. AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), AS/NZS 3500 (Plumbing), AS 1684 (Timber framing). Compliance is often mandatory where referenced in regulation.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Former Victorian building and plumbing regulator whose functions transitioned into the Building and Plumbing Commission.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Queensland security-of-payment legislation governing payment claims, payment schedules, adjudication, and retention/project trust obligations in building and construction.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Tasmanian regulator for consumer affairs, building, occupational licensing, and related trade licensing matters.

Last checked 7 May 2026

South Australian regulator for consumer affairs, business licensing, occupational licensing, building work contractors, and other regulated services.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Former WA department name still used in some compliance material. Its functions now sit within WA Government industry regulation and safety agencies, including Building and Energy.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian Standard covering waterproofing requirements for domestic wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries, and associated penetrations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Bushfire exposure rating used under AS 3959 to determine construction requirements for buildings in bushfire-prone areas.

Last checked 7 May 2026

State-based insurance for domestic building work, especially in Victoria, that protects consumers if a builder cannot complete or rectify covered work.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Home warranty insurance scheme terminology used in some jurisdictions, including Queensland, for consumer protection on residential building work.

Last checked 7 May 2026

South Australian domestic building indemnity insurance scheme covering consumers for incomplete or defective residential building work in defined circumstances.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian building industry bodies whose contracts, training, technical updates, and guidance are commonly referenced by builders and trades.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Series of standards covering water services, sanitary plumbing, sanitary drainage, heated water services, and venting.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The technical performance and deemed-to-satisfy provisions for plumbing and drainage installations across Australia.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australian/New Zealand gas installation standards covering consumer gas piping, appliance installation, testing, and LP gas installations in caravans and boats.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Part 1 of AS/NZS 5601, covering general consumer gas installations including pipework, appliances, ventilation, commissioning, and testing.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Part 2 of AS/NZS 5601, covering LP gas installations in caravans, boats, and similar recreational/mobile applications.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Victoria's building and plumbing regulator, replacing the Victorian Building Authority functions for building and plumbing regulation.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Industry-led plumbing training centre referenced by plumbing businesses for technical training, continuing education, and standards access pathways.

Last checked 7 May 2026

ABCB-administered certification scheme for plumbing and drainage products. Products in scope must be WaterMark certified before installation.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Industry body whose codes and technical guidelines are commonly referenced by water authorities for mains connections, water services, sewerage, and developer works.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Fuel gas, mainly propane and butane, stored as a liquid under pressure. Plumbing/gas-fitting work involving LPG can have separate licence endorsements and installation requirements.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Short form used in gas standards for liquefied petroleum gas, especially LP gas installations in caravans, boats, and similar mobile settings.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Western Australian board responsible for plumber licensing and plumbing compliance regulation.

Last checked 7 May 2026

South Australian technical safety regulator for electricity, gas, water, plumbing, and related infrastructure safety.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian gas infrastructure business operating gas distribution and transmission networks referenced in gas emergency and network-provider procedures.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Gas distribution network business in parts of Australia, referenced in gas safety, network contact, and emergency procedures.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Gas distribution network operator in Western Australia, referenced in gas safety, network contact, and emergency procedures.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Colourless, odourless toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion. Gas appliance commissioning and flue testing checks for unsafe CO levels.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Identity verification standard used in property settlements. Conveyancers and agents follow ARNECC's Model Participation Rules "reasonable steps" framework, often via face-to-face or IDV digital workflows.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Commercial database of past tenant defaults (TICA, NTD, TRA) used by property managers. Listings are regulated under state Residential Tenancies Acts and Part IIIA of the Privacy Act.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Each Australian state and territory has its own Residential Tenancies Act regulating rental agreements, bond handling, ending tenancies, and database listings.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Private tenancy database used by some property managers to check tenant history. Use and listing are constrained by residential tenancy and privacy rules.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Tenancy database product used in rental screening. Listings and use need to comply with residential tenancy and privacy obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Tenancy database referenced in rental screening. Use and listing are subject to state tenancy rules and privacy controls.

Last checked 7 May 2026

National professional association for real estate institutes and agencies in Australia.

Last checked 7 May 2026

State or territory real estate institute, such as REINSW, REIV, REIQ, REISA, REIT, REINT, or REIWA.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Federal department that owns Australia's AI policy. Publisher of the Voluntary AI Safety Standard 2024.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Ten guardrails published by DISR in September 2024 for safe and responsible AI deployment in Australia. Voluntary now; expected to inform a future mandatory regime for high-risk AI.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Computer systems that perform tasks normally requiring human judgement, such as prediction, classification, summarisation, decision support, and content generation.

Last checked 7 May 2026

A generative AI model trained on large text corpora to produce, classify, summarise, or transform language. In compliance use, LLMs create privacy, confidentiality, accuracy, and decision-transparency risks.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian Signals Directorate's eight prioritised mitigation strategies (application control, patch applications, configure Office macros, user application hardening, restrict admin privileges, patch operating systems, MFA, regular backups). Maturity Levels 0-3.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Authentication using two or more factors (something you know / have / are). Phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO2 / passkeys) is now the recommended baseline.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A class of cyber-attack where an attacker uses email impersonation (after credential theft, lookalike domains, or display-name spoofing) to redirect payments - settlement scams in conveyancing are the dominant Australian variant.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Public database of breached credentials, maintained by Troy Hunt. Free domain-search and email-list APIs are available for monitoring exposure.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Three layered email-authentication standards. SPF = which servers may send for the domain. DKIM = cryptographic signature on outbound mail. DMARC = policy combining SPF + DKIM and reporting failures.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australia's national police service. Relevant to compliance because AFP investigates business-email-compromise (BEC) fraud, wage theft (jointly with FWO for serious cases), foreign bribery, and cybercrime. AFP publishes regular alerts on scams targeting small businesses and trades.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The Australian Government's technical authority on cybersecurity, operated by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). Publishes the Essential Eight mitigation strategies, annual Cyber Threat Report, and the ReportCyber portal for incident reporting.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The international body that publishes consensus standards. ISO 27001 (information security management) and ISO 9001 (quality management) are frequently referenced in Australian compliance contexts - insurers, government procurement, and AML providers increasingly require ISO 27001 certification.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australian Government agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence and cyber security. Operates the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Encrypted network tunnel used to protect remote access. VPNs need MFA, patching, logging, and least-privilege controls because they are common attack targets.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Security software that monitors endpoint activity for suspicious behaviour and supports detection, investigation, and response to malware, ransomware, and compromise.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Independent assurance report over a service organisation's controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, or privacy.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Technical interface that lets software systems exchange data. APIs can create privacy and cyber risk where personal information or credentials are exposed.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Phone calls carried over an IP network instead of traditional copper PSTN lines. Business phone systems (3CX, Microsoft Teams Phone, RingCentral etc.) all run on VoIP - supports call routing, auto-attendants, queues, softphones and number porting. Compliance-relevant when call recordings or retention touch the Privacy Act / APPs.

Last checked 29 April 2026

An organisation that sells internet connectivity to end customers - typically buying wholesale from NBN Co or a carrier. The ISP is who you pay and who carries the service-disruption responsibility; the underlying access network (NBN, mobile carrier, etc.) is a separate layer.

Last checked 29 April 2026

An ISP that resells NBN services to end customers. Telstra, Optus, TPG, Aussie Broadband etc. are all RSPs running on top of NBN Co's wholesale access network. Service tickets cross both layers - the RSP handles you directly, but NBN Co owns the underlying line.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Australia's wholesale broadband network operated by NBN Co. Sold to end customers via RSPs (Telstra, TPG, Aussie Broadband etc.). Mixed access technologies - FTTP, FTTC, FTTN, HFC, Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster - relevant when planning Wi-Fi, voice, failover and remote-work setups.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Ethical standard issued by APESB. Mandatory for members of CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and IPA. Covers integrity, objectivity, professional competence, confidentiality, and professional behaviour.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A business with fewer than 200 employees (or <$50M revenue). Many Australian regulatory carve-outs and thresholds are calibrated to SME size bands - knowing which band you're in determines your obligations under the Privacy Act, Fair Work Act, and Modern Slavery Act.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Ongoing training required to maintain a professional registration, licence, or membership - e.g. 20 CPD hours per year for accountants (CPA/CA), 10 points for licensed builders in some states, annual CPD for mortgage brokers under ASIC's RG 206.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Insurance covering legal liability for third-party injury or property damage caused by business activities. Commonly required by trade clients and head contractors.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Insurance for liability arising from professional advice, design, specification, or services that cause financial loss.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Professional designation and membership body for accountants. CPA Australia members are subject to professional standards, CPD, and ethical obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Professional body for chartered accountants in Australia and New Zealand. Members are subject to professional standards, CPD, and ethical obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian professional accounting body whose members are subject to professional standards, CPD, and ethical obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Insurance document confirming that a policy is current at the date of issue. Trade onboarding commonly asks for COCs for public liability, professional indemnity, and workers compensation.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian accreditation body for laboratories and technical testing services. Calibration and testing records may reference NATA-accredited providers.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Structured checks that evidence work was reviewed, tested, or approved before sign-off. In trades, QA often includes photos, certificates, test records, and supervisor review.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Independent board that issues professional and ethical standards for accountants, including APES 110.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Audit and assurance quality-management standard that requires firms to design, implement, and operate a system of quality management.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Professional-ethics concept requiring accountants and auditors to respond appropriately when they identify or suspect non-compliance with laws or regulations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Contractual commitment for service availability, response times, recovery targets, or support obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

External IT firm that takes ongoing ownership of a business's technology - devices, M365, internet, cyber, vendors - under a recurring contract. The 'managed' part is the difference from break-fix support: the MSP proactively monitors and maintains rather than just reacting when something breaks.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Nifty Computing's positioning beyond a traditional MSP - ownership of not just the IT but the surrounding business value: vendor coordination, carrier follow-up, strategic planning, one point of call across the entire stack. The 'value' in MVP is the time and decision load lifted off the business owner.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Model WHS laws administered (with state variations) by Safe Work Australia and state regulators. Imposes a primary duty of care on PCBUs.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Mandatory documented method statement that must be prepared before any High Risk Construction Work (HRCW) and reviewed if work changes.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Eighteen categories of construction work (e.g. work near energised installations, in confined spaces, at heights >2 m) that trigger SWMS obligations under the WHS Regulations.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Procedural and physical isolation of energy sources before service or maintenance. AS/NZS 4836 sets out safe-working procedures for low-voltage electrical work.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Each state and territory has its own Security of Payment Act giving subcontractors statutory rights to make a payment claim, escalate to adjudication, and recover progress payments.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A document employers must give every new employee before or as soon as practicable after starting work. Explains the National Employment Standards, modern awards, enterprise agreements, right of entry, and termination rights. Available free from fairwork.gov.au.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A document employers must give every new casual employee at the start of employment, and to existing casuals once per year. Explains the definition of casual employment, the employee-choice conversion pathway, and casual loading. Separate from the FWIS.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The subordinate legislation under the Fair Work Act 2009. Sets out the detail behind pay-slip requirements (Reg 3.46), employee record-keeping obligations (Regs 3.31–3.40), and other procedural requirements. Referenced when auditing payroll compliance.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Clothing and equipment worn to minimise exposure to workplace hazards - hard hats, safety glasses, hi-vis vests, gloves, respirators, and fall-arrest harnesses. PCBUs must provide PPE at no cost to workers under the model WHS Regulations.

Last checked 29 April 2026

The Queensland WHS regulator, operating within the Office of Industrial Relations. Enforces the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), investigates notifiable incidents, and issues improvement and prohibition notices.

Last checked 29 April 2026

A structured workplace hazard-identification process that breaks a task into steps and identifies hazards and controls for each step. Common in electrical, plumbing, and construction. Also called Take 5 (informal) or Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for high-risk work.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal workplace-relations regulator that educates employers and employees, investigates underpayments and record-keeping breaches, and can issue infringement notices or bring enforcement action.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australia's national workplace-relations tribunal. Handles awards, enterprise agreements, unfair dismissal, right-to-disconnect and flexible-work disputes, and other Fair Work matters.

Last checked 7 May 2026

The minimum employment entitlements in the Fair Work Act, including leave, hours, notice, redundancy, flexible-work requests, and information statement obligations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Used in Fair Work leave obligations. All employees, including casuals, are entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave each year.

Last checked 7 May 2026

The duty-holder concept under WHS laws. A PCBU has the primary duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, worker and other-person health and safety.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Document supplied for hazardous chemicals describing hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency measures, exposure controls, and disposal requirements.

Last checked 7 May 2026

State or territory environmental regulator. In trade contexts, EPA obligations can arise for pollution incidents, trade waste, asbestos, contaminated runoff, and hazardous waste.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Victorian terminology for workplace health and safety duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Broadly equivalent to WHS in harmonised jurisdictions.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, VIC usually means the Victorian regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, NSW usually means the New South Wales regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, QLD usually means the Queensland regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, WA usually means the Western Australian regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, SA usually means the South Australian regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian state. In these quizzes, TAS usually means the Tasmanian regulator, law, or state-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian territory. In these quizzes, ACT usually means the ACT regulator, law, or territory-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian territory. In these quizzes, NT usually means the Northern Territory regulator, law, or territory-specific compliance requirement.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Material that contains asbestos. Trades working in older buildings need controls before cutting, drilling, removing, or disturbing ACM.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Cement product reinforced with asbestos fibres, historically used in sheet products and some water or sewer pipes. Disturbance can release asbestos fibres.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian Standard referenced for confined-space work, including risk assessment, atmospheric testing, entry controls, standby arrangements, and rescue planning.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Lowest concentration of a flammable gas or vapour in air that can ignite. Confined-space and gas-work testing uses LEL readings to assess explosion risk.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Toxic, flammable gas associated with sewage, drains, pits, and confined spaces. It can be dangerous at low concentrations and fatal at high concentrations.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Gas that can displace oxygen in confined or poorly ventilated spaces. Atmospheric testing may include CO2 where the work environment makes it relevant.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Atmospheric oxygen level. Confined-space entry procedures check for oxygen deficiency or enrichment before and during work.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian/New Zealand respirator filter class commonly referenced for dust and fibre protection, including some asbestos-control procedures when used as part of a complete control system.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Nationally recognised unit of competency for removing friable asbestos. The code can appear in asbestos-awareness and asbestos-removal training references.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Covers consumer guarantees, misleading or deceptive conduct, unfair contract terms, and product safety. Enforced by the ACCC and state fair-trading agencies.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Since 9 November 2023, unfair terms in standard-form consumer and small-business contracts attract civil penalties (up to A$50m for body corporates).

Last checked 29 April 2026

The combined shorthand for the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) and the Unfair Contract Terms regime within it. Since 9 November 2023, UCTs in standard-form contracts are prohibited with civil penalties.

Last checked 29 April 2026

Federal competition and consumer regulator. Enforces Australian Consumer Law, unfair contract terms, consumer guarantees, product safety, and misleading conduct rules.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Regulator for communications, spam, telemarketing, Do Not Call, and related electronic marketing rules.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Text messaging channel. Commercial SMS marketing is regulated under the Spam Act and must meet consent, sender-identification, and unsubscribe requirements.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Australian register for telephone marketing opt-outs. Businesses using telemarketing must screen lists and follow calling rules.

Last checked 7 May 2026

New South Wales tribunal handling consumer, tenancy, building, and other civil and administrative disputes.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Victorian tribunal handling consumer, tenancy, building, and other civil and administrative disputes.

Last checked 7 May 2026

Queensland tribunal handling consumer, tenancy, building, and other civil and administrative disputes.

Last checked 7 May 2026