YBM

25/10/2026

Farm stays, weddings, events and agritourism are creating new income opportunities for regional landowners. But could these activities affect your land tax exemption?

Revenue NSW has updated its guidance on primary-production land tax exemptions, highlighting the importance of how rural land is used.

While land used predominantly for primary production may qualify for an exemption, introducing other commercial activities can make things more complicated.

🏡 Farm stays and accommodation
💍 Weddings and event venues
🌿 Agritourism and visitor experiences

These activities don't automatically mean you'll lose your exemption, but they may affect your eligibility depending on how your property is used.

The key takeaway? Owning or operating a farm doesn't automatically guarantee a land tax exemption. How the land is used matters.

If you're considering diversifying your farm income, it's worth speaking with us before making significant changes to your property.

23/10/2026

Thanks Business NSW - Western NSW for the shout-out.

STATE BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS - YBM | Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over).

Congratulations to YBM, who is a finalist in the Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over) category at the State Business Awards in Sydney on 30 October.

Established in 1931, the Orange-based accounting, business advisory and financial planning firm combines decades of experience with a modern approach to work. Their focus on flexibility, collaboration and professional growth has helped create a workplace where people can build rewarding and long-term careers.

We wish the YBM team the very best of luck at the State Business Awards.

21/10/2026

📣 We're hiring - Receptionist/Administration Assistant!

Are you highly organised, have a great eye for detail and enjoy a role where no two days are the same?

We're looking for a full-time Receptionist/Administration Assistant to join our Orange team!

You'll play an important role in keeping our office running smoothly, supporting our accounting and advisory teams, and building great relationships with our clients.

We're looking for someone who's proactive, enjoys working with people and thrives in a busy, collaborative environment.

🏆 As a 2026 NSW Business Awards State Finalist for Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over), we're proud of our family-oriented culture and the opportunities we provide our team to learn and grow.

If you're looking for a rewarding role with a well-established local business where your contribution is valued, we'd love to hear from you!

🔎 Find out more and apply via SEEK

Find your ideal job on SEEK with 3 Yates Baker McLean jobs (1 at Yates Baker McLean) listed in Australia. View all the Yates Baker McLean vacancies now with new jobs added daily!

21/10/2026

Believe it or not, Christmas is just 65 days away! 🎅

For many small businesses, that means it's time to start thinking about Christmas trading hours, staff leave and whether to close over the holiday period.

If you're planning a Christmas shutdown, there are a few important things to consider:

📅 Annual leave: There are rules around directing employees to take annual leave during a shutdown, including notice requirements.
💰 Public holiday entitlements: Make sure you understand how Christmas and Boxing Day public holidays affect employee pay and leave.
📋 Awards and agreements: Different industries can have different requirements for shutdown periods, so it's worth checking what applies to your team.
🤝 Communicate early: Giving staff plenty of notice helps everyone plan ahead and avoids last-minute confusion.

A little preparation now can help businesses enjoy a smoother end to the year and a well-earned Christmas break.

🔎 Check your obligations with the Fair Work Ombudsman before locking in your holiday closure arrangements. Link in the comments.

20/10/2026

Wish us luck! 🤞
We are counting down the days (10 to go!) until the Business NSW State Awards Gala.

After being named the Western NSW Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over), the team at YBM is incredibly proud to represent our region on the state stage.

We are absolutely thrilled to be heading into the finals alongside such a stellar group of regional champions. Creating an incredible workplace culture is a shared passion, and we want to wish the best of luck to all our category winners

No matter the outcome, celebrating alongside amazing businesses is a win in itself.

15/10/2026

💳 A welcome reprieve for small business!

Some good news for Australian businesses managing tight cash flow.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has delayed its planned ban on credit card payments for tax bills until 30 June 2027, following concerns raised by the small business community.

Originally scheduled to take effect from December, the change would have removed a payment option that many businesses rely on to manage cash flow and meet their tax obligations.

The Federal Government has now stepped in with temporary funding, giving businesses more time to adjust while the ATO consults on alternative payment arrangements.

For regional small businesses, where managing cash flow can be an ongoing challenge, that extra breathing room is welcome.

It's a reprieve, not a reversal, but it does provide some certainty while longer-term options are explored.

12/10/2026

October is NSW Small Business Month, with events and activities across the state focused on supporting small businesses.

Locally, Business Orange in partnership with The Re*****on Orange is running Frontline Leadership: Developing Leaders in Your Small Business is being held in Orange.

📅 Thursday 15 October 2026
📍The Re*****on Orange, 1517 Forest Road

This workshop focuses on developing leadership skills within small businesses, including identifying potential leaders and supporting employees as they step into supervisory roles.

It's good to see regional NSW included in the Small Business Month calendar, with opportunities for local businesses to learn, connect and share ideas.

Find out more and register through the link in the comments

12/10/2026

New research released for NSW Small Business Month shows that small businesses are embracing technology, adopting AI and reaching customers well beyond their local communities.

📈 57% of NSW small businesses now serve customers beyond their local area.
💻 47% are already using AI tools to improve productivity.
❤️ Regional business owners are three times more likely than their Sydney counterparts to value the role they play in their local community.

For regional NSW, that's encouraging news.

With the right technology, digital tools and connections, regional businesses have more opportunities than ever to grow beyond their postcode while continuing to support the communities they call home.

Link to more info in the comments

09/10/2026

October is NSW Small Business Month, and there's a huge range of events, webinars and workshops happening across the state.

The good news for regional businesses? You don't need to travel to Sydney to get involved!

There are plenty of online sessions covering topics such as:
💻 AI and digital tools for business
📣 Marketing and attracting customers
📈 Business growth and productivity
🤝 Leadership and professional development

Whether you're looking to pick up a new skill, explore fresh ideas or simply stay informed, there's plenty on offer throughout October.

Many sessions are free, and with so many available online, it's easy for regional business owners to get involved from wherever they're based.

🔎 Browse the full events calendar and filter by 'Online' to see what's available:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/nsw-small-business-month

NSW Small Business Month in back in October 2026 - the state’s largest celebration of small businesses.

06/10/2026

Adjusting to Payday Super may take a little time - and the ATO has acknowledged that.

For the 2026–27 financial year, the ATO says employers who are genuinely trying to meet their Payday Super obligations won’t be the focus of its compliance activities.

That doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply. If something goes wrong - such as a rejected contribution, incorrect employee details or a missed payment - the important thing is to identify it, fix it as soon as possible and keep a record of what happened.

Think of this first year as an opportunity to get your systems and processes right.