20 Ways to Start the New Financial Year on the Right Foot

The new financial year isn’t just about numbers, it’s your chance to hit reset on the business side of things. Whether you’re a sole trader, run a small allied health practice, or support NDIS participants, getting organised now will set the tone for a calmer, more efficient year ahead.

Here are 20 practical actions you can take to start FY25–26 strong.

1. Finalise Your Financials

• Reconcile accounts

• Review income and expense reports

• Make sure bookkeeping is complete before closing off FY24–25

2. Lodge Payroll and BAS Obligations

• Submit your Q4 BAS by 28 July 2025

• Finalise STP (Single Touch Payroll) with the ATO by 14 July 2025, so income statements are accessible to staff via MyGov

3. Apply the New Superannuation Rate

• The super guarantee rate has increased to 12% from 1 July 2025

• Update your payroll system for accurate July pay runs

• Super for Q4 of the previous financial year is due by 28 July 2025 if you want it included as a deductible expense

4. Review the 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Guide

• New prices are now in effect, including updates to core, capacity building and travel

• Changes should have been applied after final billing on 30 June 2025

• If you haven’t updated your pricing in systems, templates or agreements yet, now is the time

5. Adjust Provider Travel Charges

• Labour travel is now capped at:

• 30 minutes total for MMM1–MMM3 areas

• 60 minutes total for MMM4–MMM6 areas

• Labour travel can only be billed at a maximum of 50% of the primary service fee

• Non-labour travel rates (e.g. per kilometre) have decreased in many line items, now typically $0.99/km

• Update billing software, templates, and service agreements accordingly

6. Update Client Service Agreements

• Apply new pricing and travel rules

• Reconfirm plan details, nominee authority and cancellation terms

• Align all language and inclusions with the updated Pricing Guide

7. Refresh Intake and Onboarding Forms

• Make sure your forms are compliant, current and easy to use

• Include space for new plan structures, nominee details and plan period breakdowns

8. Backup and Archive Data

• Backup financial and client records securely

• Use cloud storage or encrypted drives

• Clear out outdated documents and folders

9. Clean Up Your CRM

• Archive old or inactive client files

• Remove duplicates

• Update tags, groups and profile information

10. Audit Your Subscriptions

• Review all paid platforms and tools

• Cancel anything unused or outdated

• Consolidate where possible to save money

11. Set Measurable Goals

• Choose two or three goals that matter most this year

• Break them into quarterly targets

• Share with your team or accountability partner

12. Conduct a Quick SWOT Analysis

• Assess what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing

• Use this as your decision-making foundation for the year ahead

13. Review Employment and Subcontractor Agreements

• Ensure all terms align with Fair Work guidelines

• Check for correct hourly rates, hours, responsibilities and leave clauses

• Update where roles or scope of work have changed

14. Digitise and Declutter

• Scan and archive last year’s paper documents

• Set consistent naming conventions for new files

• Set up clear folder systems for client and business files

15. Review and Refresh Core Policies

• Review your policies for:

• Privacy and confidentiality

• Complaints and feedback

• Restrictive practices

• Data breach response

• Update with any new NDIS, Fair Work or business changes

16. Add Key Dates to Your Calendar

• STP Finalisation – 14 July 2025

• Super due – 28 July 2025

• BAS (Q4) – 28 July 2025

• NDIS Price Update – 1 July 2025

• Add internal audit checks, insurance renewals, policy reviews, and training dates

17. Audit Your Admin Systems

• Are your current tools efficient?

• Are there bottlenecks or duplication?

• Consider automation or simpler workflows

18. Document Your EOFY Lessons

• What worked well this year?

• What slowed you down or caused stress?

• What will you do differently next time?

19. Schedule Monthly Business Admin Time

• Set up recurring admin time in your calendar

• Use it to check in on finances, systems, goals and compliance

• Stay on top of things, don’t wait until next June

20. Acknowledge the Wins

• Take a moment to recognise what you’ve achieved

• Celebrate your business, your team, and your clients

• A fresh year starts with a fresh mindset

This list isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about starting intentionally, avoiding surprises, and running a business that feels manageable and aligned.