Why tech adoption matters Running a small or medium business is often a juggling act – staff, customers, compliance, cash flow. For many owners, finding the time to step back and invest in digital transformation feels impossible. But technology adoption isn't just about keeping up with the times. It's a direct pathway to improved efficiency, stronger competitiveness and sustainable growth. The Technology Gap Holding Back Australian Businesses Research from CPA Australia shows a clear divide: only 26% of Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) invested in profitable technology last year, compared to 56% across the Asia-Pacific region 1 . While Australian owners are busy staying afloat, our regional counterparts in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam are harnessing digital tools to expand sales, sharpen operations and reach global markets. The consequences are already visible. Just 55% of Australian small businesses expect growth in 2025, well below the regional average of 71% 1 . That gap highlights the risk of delaying technology adoption – while competitors are building resilience, many local businesses remain vulnerable. Why Digital Transformation Matters for SME Business Owners For business owners, the benefits of technology aren't abstract. They're practical, measurable and directly linked to profitability: Improved productivity:  Cloud accounting, AI assistants and automation help reduce admin load, freeing owners and teams to focus on revenue-generating work 2,7 New revenue streams:  With 67% of regional businesses earning over 10% of revenue online versus just 39% in Australia, digital channels remain an untapped opportunity 3 Smarter decision-making:  Tools like digital financial reporting and AI-driven analytics help give real-time clarity on cash flow, customer behaviour and profitability 4 Resilience in tough markets:  Inventory systems, supply-chain platforms and collaboration tools help businesses pivot quickly when conditions change 5 Stronger talent attraction:  Today's workforce expects digital workplaces – falling behind risks losing talent to more modern competitors 6 How to Start Tech Adoption without the Overwhelm You don't need to overhaul your business overnight. Start small, focus on quick wins and scale with confidence: Adopt simple cloud tools:  online booking systems, digital payments and customer relationship apps deliver immediate impact 7 Seek expert advice:  only 18% of Australian SMEs use IT consultants, but the right advice can save costly mistakes 1 Use available incentives:  government rebates and tax deductions often support digital adoption when available 5 Share knowledge with peers:  collaborating through networks or advisors can shorten the learning curve and help spread best practice 6 Technology adoption isn't optional anymore. It's the difference between standing still and building a business that can adapt, grow and thrive in the years ahead. Forward-thinking owners who embrace digital transformation will be the ones driving competitiveness and seizing new opportunities, both locally and globally. Ready to explore what digital adoption could mean for your business? Collins Hume ‘s Strategy360 business advisory team helps business owners cut through the noise, identify the right tools and implement technology strategies that support long-term growth. If you'd like to discuss where to start, we're here to guide you. Contact Nathan McGrath on 02 6686 3000 for an obligation-free discussion on how Collins Hume can help you. Sources CPA Australia, Australian small businesses: Too busy to tech up, too behind to catch up (11 Aug 2025) Deloitte, State of Generative AI in the Enterprise - 2024 year-end Generative AI report Shopify, Australian Retail Report 2024 PwC, 28th Annual Global CEO Survey 2025 OECD, SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2023 Microsoft & LinkedIn, 2024 Work Trend Index - AI at Work McKinsey Global Institute, A Microscope on Small Businesses: Spotting Opportunities to Boost Productivity (May 2024)

Big Balances Beware If your super balance is comfortably below $3 million, you can probably relax — the proposed changes to the super rules shouldn’t adversely affect you (yet). But if your super is nudging that level, or if you’re clearly over, the Treasurer’s latest announcement could change how you think about super’s generous tax breaks. For some time now the Government has been planning to introduce targeted measures to reduce tax concessions for those with superannuation balances over $3 million. This has commonly been referred to as the Division 296 tax. However, the Government has reworked the proposed new tax — part of the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions (BTSC) policy — attempting to make it simpler, fairer and more practical. After a wave of industry criticism, the revised version keeps the broad policy intent (reducing tax concessions for very large balances) but removes some of the more problematic features. We break down what’s changed and what it means for you. What’s Changing and Why It’s Simpler The original 2023 proposal aimed to apply an extra 15% tax on “earnings” from super balances above $3 million. The big flaw? “Earnings” included unrealised gains — paper profits on assets like property or shares that hadn’t been sold. This meant some people could have owed tax on increases in value they hadn’t actually received in cash. The reworked model drops unrealised gains from the equation entirely, taxing only realised earnings — actual income and capital gains when assets are sold. This makes the system far more practical and aligned with everyday tax rules. No more worrying about funding a tax bill on assets you haven’t sold. A Fairer, Tiered Approach The new rules introduce a two-tier system for high balances: Tier 1 ($3m–$10m): Extra 15% tax on earnings from this portion (making a total rate of 30%). Tier 2 (over $10m): Extra 25% tax on earnings above $10m (for a total rate of 40%). Both thresholds will be indexed annually to inflation ($150,000 steps for the $3m tier and $500,000 for the $10m tier), which should prevent “bracket creep” over time. Importantly, the start date has been pushed back to 1 July 2026, with the first assessments expected in 2027–28. The Government estimates less than 0.5% of Australians will be affected at the $3m level, and fewer than 0.1% at the $10m mark. What This Means in Practice Here are a couple of examples from Treasury to help you get your head around this. Consider Megan, who has a $4.5 million super balance split between an SMSF and an APRA fund. She earns $300,000 in realised income for the year within the super system. The super balance above $3m represents is one-third of the total balance, so she’ll pay $15,000 in additional Division 296 tax (15% × 33.33% × $300,000). Emma, on the other hand, has $12.9 million in her SMSF and $840,000 in earnings. She pays 15% on the Tier 1 portion and an extra 10% on the Tier 2 portion, a total of around $115,000 in extra tax. These examples show how the tax scales up progressively. The ATO will calculate each individual’s total super balance across all funds (SMSFs and APRA funds) and determine the proportionate amount of earnings to be taxed. Why It’s Still Good News (for Most) For many SMSF members, this update is a relief. By removing unrealised gains, it eliminates valuation headaches and liquidity pressures — particularly for those holding property or unlisted assets. That said, individuals with super balances above $10m will face a higher overall rate (up to 40%), which may prompt a rethink of long-term strategies. However, remember that updated legislation relating to this measure hasn’t been introduced to Parliament and things could change before the proposed rules become reality. Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset In addition to introducing the revamped Division 296 tax, the Government has announced that it will increase the Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) from $37,000 to $45,000 from 1 July 2027. The maximum payment will also increase to $810. Treasury estimates that the average increase in the LISTO payment will be $410 for affected workers. What to Do Now Check your total super balance (TSB) now and project where it may be by 2026. Seek advice early — strategies like managing liquidity, reviewing asset allocations and timing asset sales could make a real difference. Stay informed — draft legislation is expected in 2026. Overall, the Government’s revised approach strikes a more balanced tone: fewer administrative headaches for most, but less generosity for the ultra-wealthy. If your balance is near or above $3 million, now’s the time to plan ahead — not panic. Collins Hume will keep you updated through our client communications.

Why business owners and leaders can’t afford to overlook strategic planning Running a small or mid-sized business comes with constant pressures – managing operations, meeting customer demands and keeping pace with competitors. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. But without a clear strategy, growth stalls, risks multiply and opportunities pass you by. That’s where strategic planning comes in. Far from being a corporate buzzword, it’s the foundation for sustainable, long-term success – whether your goal is scaling operations, improving financial performance, or preparing for a future business valuation. What Strategic Planning Means for Your Business At its simplest, strategic planning is about setting long-term goals, defining the actions needed to achieve them and aligning your resources to stay on course. It’s about answering the big questions: Where do you want to be, and how will you get there? For business owners, tapping into strategic advisory services provides clarity, external perspective and accountability that can accelerate growth and sharpen focus. The Business Benefits of Strategic Planning For small and medium businesses, strategic planning delivers clear advantages: Direction and Focus  – A roadmap that keeps your business aligned with your vision and prevents distraction Adaptability  – The ability to anticipate change and pivot quickly in a fast-moving market Risk Management  – Early identification of threats and proactive contingency planning Resource Optimisation  – Smarter allocation of time, money, and people for maximum ROI Value Building  – Creating a business that not only performs well today but is also attractive to future investors, buyers or successors. How Expert Guidance Makes the Difference Strategic planning is only powerful if it’s implemented well. That’s where specialised expertise adds value. With the right advisors, business owners can gain:   Personalised Insight  – A clear picture of strengths, weaknesses, and growth opportunities Data-Driven Analysis  – Market trends and competitor insights that cut through the noise Goal Setting & Execution  – Practical steps to turn vision into results Succession Planning  – Ensuring a smooth transition when leadership changes, protecting both legacy and enterprise value Mentoring and Support  – Guidance to strengthen leadership capability, build team confidence, and maintain accountability over time. The Bottom Line Strategic planning isn’t a one-off exercise – it’s a living process that helps your business grow smarter, not just bigger. For business owners and leaders, it’s the difference between reacting to challenges and shaping your own future. Ready to unlock your business’s potential? Let’s work together to build a strategic plan that improves financial performance, strengthens resilience and delivers long-term results through proven strategic advisory services. Contact us today to start your journey toward sustainable success. Read more at https://www.collinshume.com/strategy360

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Collins Hume | YOU. That’s all we focus on. You, your family, your wealth and the legacy you (and we) leave. That’s it. Join us on this amazing journey. YOU. That’s all we focus on. You, your family, your wealth, your business and the legacy you (and we) leave. That’s it. Join us on this amazing journey. Let's Begin NEWS. 1 2 3 4 5 Our purpose is to inspire business owners to achieve success in powerful and meaningful ways. Giving. Always give more than we receive. Inspiring. Today and every day, we will inspire others to achieve their best. Caring. We care for our team, clients and everyone we connect with. Lifestyle. We work to live, not live to work. Make it enjoyable and meaningful in every way.

Empowering Not-for-Profits to grow sustainably. Take our free 2-minute Risk Survey for a personalised Risk Scorecard and expert advisory support. Not-for-Profit Advisory Services Practical Strategies for NFP Growth, Governance and Sustainability Running a not-for-profit (NFP) means balancing funding uncertainty, board expectations, compliance obligations and the constant pressure to do more with less. At Collins Hume, we understand the unique environment in which NFP and community organisations operate. Our goal is to help you strengthen your foundations, plan confidently and achieve lasting impact. Your Trusted Advisors in the Not-for-Profit Sector We work alongside boards, CEOs and management teams to deliver tailored, practical advice that helps you move from strategy to action. Our advisory services are designed to improve performance, accountability and long-term sustainability across your organisation. Collins Hume’s Not-for-Profit Services Strategic Planning & Facilitation
 Align your board and management around clear priorities, actions and measurable outcomes. Governance & Board Support Enhance decision-making, strengthen accountability and improve confidence in leadership. Financial Sustainability Develop resilient funding and performance models that support ongoing operations and future growth. Organisational Capability Build structure, teamwork and alignment to ensure your resources and operations perform effectively. Free 2-Minute Risk Survey Is Your NFP Organisation Risk-Ready? In just two minutes, our free Risk Survey helps your board and management team identify operational strengths and gaps. You’ll receive a personalised Risk Scorecard that highlights where your organisation is strong, and where extra attention could make a difference. Take the Risk Survey now and start making more informed, confident decisions for your NFP organisation’s future. You can also opt for a complimentary follow-up session with one of our advisers to discuss your results and explore practical next steps. Why Collins Hume? Deep sector experience across not-for-profit, charity and community organisations Practical, actionable advice that delivers measurable results A partnership approach helping you move from planning to impact with clarity and confidence Award-winning Northern Rivers accountants and advisers. Ready to Strengthen Your Organisation? Start with our free Risk Survey or contact us for a confidential discussion about your organisation’s goals. Nathan McGrath, Senior Business Adviser
02 6686 3000 | strategy360@collinshume.com.au