Share Purchases for Australian Businesses and Investors
Buying shares in a company can be an effective way to invest, grow your business interests, or restructure ownership; but it comes with complex legal, tax, and commercial risks. At Enterprise Legal, our highly experienced team advises clients across Australia on share purchases, helping you navigate every stage of the transaction with clarity and confidence.
Unlike buying a business’s assets, buying shares means you’re acquiring ownership of the company itself, including all its assets, liabilities, and legal relationships. Whether you’re buying shares from unrelated sellers, participating in a family succession plan, or investing as an employee, it’s crucial to understand what you’re really buying—and how to protect your position.
We work closely with your accountant and other advisers to ensure your share transaction is structured in a way that’s legally compliant, tax-effective, and commercially sound.
Most of our share purchase services are offered on a fixed or capped-fee basis, so you know your costs upfront. And you can easily book your initial appointment online to get started.
What We Help With
- Share Sale Agreements: drafting, negotiating, and reviewing agreements for buying or selling shares
- Due Diligence: investigating company finances, contracts, tax risks, legal disputes, and other hidden liabilities
- Shareholder Agreements: drafting or updating agreements to reflect new ownership structures
- Regulatory Compliance: including ASIC filings, directors’ duties, and company constitution changes
- Tax Structuring: working alongside your accountant or financial adviser to ensure tax-effective transactions and avoid unexpected tax consequences
- Related-Party Share Sales: managing legal and commercial issues when shares change hands between family members or connected parties, especially for succession planning
- Employee Share Purchases: advising businesses and employees on share buy-ins, management buyouts, and employee equity schemes
Why Share Purchases Need Specialist Advice
Liabilities Transfer with the Shares
When you buy shares, you take on the company’s existing liabilities—including debts, contracts, leases, and legal disputes.
Different Tax Outcomes
Asset sales and share sales have different tax consequences for both buyers and sellers, affecting stamp duty, capital gains, and GST.
Impact on Control and Governance
Share purchases can change voting rights, management control, and dividend entitlements.
Family Business Succession
Related-party share sales often play a key role in succession planning. They require careful structuring to balance family interests, tax efficiency, and business continuity.
Employee Buy-Ins
Employees buying into a business need clear terms to avoid disputes and ensure a smooth transition of ownership.
Integrated Legal and Financial Advice
Successful share transactions require close collaboration between lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers. We work as part of your advisory team to ensure all legal, tax, and commercial angles are covered.
Speak With Our Business Team
Share Purchases FAQs
Buy shares with confidence. Book your fixed-fee consultation with our experienced team online today.
