Regulatory & Compliance

Helping You Meet Your Legal Obligations with Confidence

Understanding Regulatory Compliance in Australia

In today’s business environment, compliance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Regulatory requirements from bodies like ASIC, the ACCC, and industry-specific authorities shape how companies operate, report, and manage risk. Failing to comply can mean penalties, investigations, reputational damage, or even the loss of your ability to trade.

Regulatory compliance can take many forms, from corporate governance and reporting obligations under the Corporations Act to industry-specific licensing and competition law requirements. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties, it’s about building trust with customers, investors, and regulators.

We work with clients to:

  • Identify the laws, codes, and regulations that apply to their business.

  • Implement systems and processes that make ongoing compliance manageable.

  • Respond effectively to regulator inquiries, audits, or enforcement action.

Our advice is always tailored, because the rules that apply to a listed company won’t be the same as those for a start-up or family-owned business.

WHAT WE DO

Guiding Businesses Through Complex Regulatory Obligations

When to Seek Compliance Advice

Regulatory issues are easier to manage when addressed early. We assist at key points in your business lifecycle, including:

  • Establishing a new business — ensuring you have the right structure, registrations, and governance in place from day one.

  • Expanding operations — advising on the regulatory impact of new products, services, or markets.

  • Before a major transaction — checking compliance history and risks in mergers, acquisitions, or capital raising.

  • During regulator engagement — responding strategically to ASIC or ACCC investigations, notices, or enforcement action.

Early advice not only reduces risk — it can also save significant cost and disruption later.

Why Regulatory & Compliance Matters

Meeting your regulatory obligations isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s protecting your business, your reputation, and your ability to operate without disruption.

Reputation: Compliance failures can undermine customer trust and investor confidence.

Operational stability: Regulatory breaches can result in restrictions, fines, or business interruption.

Risk management: Proactive compliance can help prevent disputes, litigation, and enforcement action.

We view compliance as a strategic advantage — a way to operate more efficiently, avoid costly setbacks, and protect your long-term growth.

Clear, Confident Guidance on Regulatory & Compliance Matters

At THAMS Law Group, we help businesses navigate complex regulatory frameworks with precision and clarity. Whether you’re launching a new venture, expanding into a regulated industry, or managing compliance risks, we provide advice that’s practical, strategic, and built around your commercial objectives.

Our focus is on keeping you ahead of changing laws, minimising exposure to penalties, and embedding compliance processes that strengthen your operations, so you can grow with confidence and maintain the trust of customers, investors, and regulators.

FAQs

  • Non-compliance can result in fines, licence suspension, enforceable undertakings, or even criminal penalties for directors. But the consequences go beyond penalties, it can erode investor confidence, disrupt operations, and damage your brand. We work with you to close compliance gaps quickly and put safeguards in place so you can operate with confidence.

  • No. Treating compliance as a “box-ticking exercise” is a common mistake. Done properly, compliance becomes part of your business strategy. It streamlines processes, reduces risk, improves investor relations, and builds trust with customers and regulators alike.

  • Between federal, state, and industry-specific rules, identifying your obligations isn’t always straightforward. We help you map out exactly which laws apply to your business, assess your current level of compliance, and create a practical action plan that fits your operations and resources.

  • Not if it’s implemented well. Our approach focuses on embedding compliance into your day-to-day processes so it supports, rather than hinders, growth. When systems are clear, decisions can be made faster and with less risk of costly mistakes.

  • By the time you’re under investigation or have received a notice from a regulator, your options are limited. Early advice is far more cost-effective and protects your business before issues arise. We can also train your team to spot and respond to compliance risks early.

  • Yes. We don’t just advise on the law, we help you operationalise compliance. That might mean rewriting contracts, designing reporting processes, updating governance frameworks, or liaising with regulators on your behalf. Our goal is to make compliance something your team can manage confidently every day.