Running a small business in New South Wales (NSW) is exciting — but it comes with legal responsibilities you can’t afford to ignore. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, leasing a shopfront, or signing supplier contracts, using proper legal documentation protects your business and helps you stay compliant.
The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands on legal fees to get started. With the right legal templates, you can handle many common legal tasks confidently and efficiently.
Here are the top 5 legal templates every NSW small business owner should have:
1. Employment Agreement
Whether you’re hiring casual, part-time, or full-time staff, an Employment Agreement sets clear expectations and protects both parties.
Why it matters:
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Defines job duties, hours, pay, and leave
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Helps avoid disputes over entitlements or termination
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Shows compliance with Fair Work laws
💡 Tip: Use separate templates for permanent employees and contractors to reflect the legal differences.
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2. Commercial Lease Agreement
If your business rents office, retail, or commercial space, you need a solid Commercial Lease Agreement.
Why it matters:
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Clarifies rent, lease duration, outgoings, and maintenance
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Protects your rights as a tenant
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Reduces misunderstandings with landlords
🔍 NSW has specific leasing regulations — your lease template should reflect local law to ensure it’s enforceable.
3. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Planning to share sensitive business info with a contractor, designer, or investor? Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you do.
Why it matters:
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Protects intellectual property, trade secrets, or business plans
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Builds trust with partners or collaborators
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Legally binds the other party from leaking your information
🛡️ Especially useful for early-stage businesses or when outsourcing marketing, tech, or design work.
4. Website Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
If you have a website that collects personal data or sells online, these are non-negotiables.
Why it matters:
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Complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Consumer Law
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Limits liability for website errors or user misuse
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Makes your policies transparent and professional
✅ Templates should include clauses about cookies, data collection, refund policies, and user conduct.
5. Business Sale Agreement (Optional, but smart to have ready)
Even if you’re not selling now, having a Business Sale Agreement template in your toolkit prepares you for future growth or exit.
Why it matters:
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Outlines terms of sale, assets included, and purchase price
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Makes transitions smoother when partnering, merging, or selling
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Helps avoid tax and legal issues at the last minute
📁 You can also adapt this for partial sales, e.g., bringing in an investor or co-owner.
Final Thoughts
Legal templates give you the tools to operate safely, professionally, and affordably. The key is using templates that are written for Australian law and tailored to NSW where required — not random downloads from overseas websites.
At Precedents Online, we specialise in lawyer-drafted, NSW-compliant legal templates trusted by small businesses, conveyancers, and professionals across Australia.
👇 Need Templates?
Explore our ready-to-use legal templates, including:
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Employment Agreements
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Commercial Leases
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NDAs
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Website Terms & Privacy Policies
