Trust Structures Melbourne
The rules around discretionary trusts are changing. With significant reforms proposed from 1 July 2028, reviewing your trust structure has never been more important. At PCR Accounting & Advisory, we help Melbourne clients understand the proposed changes, protect their assets and make informed decisions with confidence.
Trust Structure Advice for Melbourne Individuals, Families and Businesses
Trust Structure Advice for Every Stage of the Trust Lifecycle
Whether you’re establishing, reviewing or restructuring a trust, we’re here to help.
With proposed changes to discretionary trusts expected from 1 July 2028, many individuals, families and business owners are reassessing whether their current structure remains the right fit. Whether you’re setting up a new trust, reviewing an existing one or planning ahead, PCR Accounting & Advisory provides practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
We advise on:
- Discretionary (family) trusts
- Unit trusts
- Hybrid trusts
- Testamentary trusts
- Self-managed super fund (SMSF) trusts
- Corporate trustee arrangements
We also ensure your trust structure aligns with your broader financial strategy, including:
- Companies
- SMSFs
- Estate and succession planning
- Asset protection strategies
Set Up Your Trust Structure with Confidence
You shouldn’t need to be a legal or tax expert to understand how your wealth is held. PCR’s trust advisors cut through the complexity, so you understand how your trust is structured, why it was established, and whether it continues to support your financial goals. We assess your circumstances, recommend the right structure where needed, and provide ongoing advice as your personal, business and tax obligations evolve.
Trust Advice You Can Rely On
Specialist Trust Structure Guidance for Melbourne Clients
The right trust structure protects your assets and optimises your tax position. At PCR Accounting & Advisory, we help you tailor a solution for your specific needs, offering:
We take the time to understand your financial position, family circumstances, and long-term goals before recommending a trust structure. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here — the advice is always specific to you.
We work alongside trusted legal professionals to guide you through the trust establishment process, including trust deeds and other essential documentation. You’ll understand how your trust works, why it’s structured that way and what it means for you.
Trusts come with ongoing tax and compliance obligations. We help you meet your reporting requirements, remain compliant and make the most of legitimate tax planning opportunities, including income distribution strategies and capital gains tax (CGT) planning.
Your trust structure should evolve as your circumstances change. Whether you’re growing a business, acquiring assets, planning for retirement or responding to changes in tax legislation, we provide ongoing advice to ensure your trust continues to support your goals.
Your Trust Structured for Protection, Flexibility, and Growth
Why Choose PCR as Your Trust Advisor?
We provide clear trust advice for business owners, investors, and families at every stage of their financial journey
We assess your full financial picture to identify the trust structure that offers the strongest protection and the best long-term outcomes
We offer one-on-one trust structure advice and ongoing support, so your trust keeps working hard as your circumstances change
Structures Built for Reliability
Why a Strategic Trust Setup Makes All the Difference
A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. When established correctly, a trust can help protect assets, support tax planning and provide greater flexibility in how wealth is managed and passed on. Choosing the right structure ensures your trust continues to support your financial goals as your circumstances and legislation evolve.
The right trust structure can help you:
- Protect personal and business assets from creditors and legal claims
- Support legitimate tax planning opportunities, subject to current tax legislation
- Control how and when beneficiaries receive assets or income
- Plan for succession and intergenerational wealth transfer
- Integrate with your broader financial structure, including your SMSF or company
Protect Your Business from the Unexpected
With years of experience advising Melbourne clients on trust structures, we’ve helped individuals, families, and business owners establish trusts that protect their wealth and support their goals for the long term. The best time to get your structure right is before a major asset acquisition or business change — and we’re here to help you do exactly that. Contact PCR Accounting & Advisory today to discuss your trust structure requirements.
Owner of PCR Accounting & Advisory, Peter Marmara-Stewart is a SAPEPAA foundation member and accredited advisor specialising in strategic business advice, asset protection & structuring and cashflow maximisation. Click here to find out more.
Trust Structure FAQs
The Federal Government has proposed a minimum 30% tax rate on certain discretionary trust distributions from 1 July 2028. If enacted, the reforms could reduce some of the tax planning flexibility currently available through discretionary trusts. However, the legislation has not yet been finalised, and the full details — including who may be affected and whether exemptions or transitional arrangements will apply — are still to be confirmed.
It depends on your individual circumstances and what you need your trust structure to achieve. Not all trusts are established for income splitting purposes. Trusts can also play an important role in asset protection, succession planning, managing family wealth and structuring investments. The proposed changes may affect different trust types in different ways, so we recommend obtaining advice based on your goals and the legislation as it stands.
Not necessarily, and you should seek advice before making any decisions. Winding up a trust can have significant tax and legal consequences, including potential capital gains tax (CGT) and stamp duty implications. The right approach depends on how your trust is structured, the assets it holds, how it is being used and what the final legislation ultimately requires.
The proposed trust changes are expected to take effect from 1 July 2028, but the enabling legislation has not yet been passed. The final timing will depend on the parliamentary process and any amendments made before the reforms are introduced. PCR Accounting & Advisory continues to monitor developments and will provide updated advice as the position becomes clearer.
Trusts can be suitable for business owners, investors and families who want greater flexibility in managing assets, planning for the future and protecting wealth. If you hold significant personal or business assets, are starting a business, investing, or considering succession planning, a trust structure may be worth exploring.
Ideally, a trust should be established before acquiring significant assets, starting a business or making major investment decisions. Setting up the right structure early provides greater flexibility and can help ensure assets are held in the most appropriate way from the outset. If you’re considering a trust because of proposed legislative changes, seeking advice early can help you understand your options.
A corporate trustee is often recommended, particularly for family trusts, as it can provide greater continuity, simplify administration and make changes in control easier over time. However, the right choice depends on your circumstances, goals and the type of trust being established. We’ll assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate structure.
A discretionary trust gives the trustee flexibility to distribute income and capital among eligible beneficiaries each year, subject to the terms of the trust deed. A unit trust allocates income and capital based on the number of units held, similar to share ownership in a company. Discretionary trusts are commonly used for family wealth and asset protection, while unit trusts are often used for joint ventures, investments and situations where ownership interests need to be clearly defined.