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Harwood Andrews is a local law firm with offices in Melbourne and Geelong.

We believe that exceptional legal services go beyond just providing advice. It is our ability to bring clarity and deliver what matters, that sets us apart.

With decades of experience and deep expertise across multiple practice areas, Harwood Andrews is a trusted adviser to businesses, individuals and government. We combine local knowledge with industry-leading insight to deliver solutions that are innovative, practical and strategically focused.

Our Service Focus

Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Commercial Law
Property Law
Planning & Environment
Family Law
Employment Law OH&S
Wills & Estates

Our Industry Focus

Building & Construction
Agribusiness
Medical & Allied Health
Local Government
Hotels, Hospitality & Tourism
Technology & Digital Economy
Featured
Stamp Duty and Vendor Payments: Lessons from Alphington Developments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue
Stamp Duty and Vendor Payments: Lessons from Alphington Developments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue

The Supreme Court decision in Alphington Developments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] VSC 709 clarifies how stamp duty (land transfer duty) is assessed on the transfer of land. Specifically, the Court in this decision held at that payments made by a vendor to remediation and demolition works do not reduce the consideration under a contract of sale when assessing stamp duty.

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Vacant Residential Land Tax and ‘Uninhabitable’ Property – KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75
Vacant Residential Land Tax and ‘Uninhabitable’ Property – KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75

The matter of KES v Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] VCAT 75 considered whether the property in question was both ‘residential land’ and ‘vacant’ as defined in the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic) and therefore, whether vacant residential land tax had been correctly applied by the Commissioner. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that despite the property being in disrepair, it was capable of being used for residential purposes and had been vacant for at least six months in the relevant land tax year.

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Preserving intergenerational wealth - key considerations in family law proceedings
Preserving intergenerational wealth - key considerations in family law proceedings

The decision in Caldwell and Caldwell [2025] FedCFamC1F 506 (Caldwell) reaffirmed the position that while the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Court) has broad powers in respect to family law disputes, its powers are not limitless. In the context of preserving intergenerational wealth, particularly where long-standing family-operated businesses are involved, Caldwell provides welcomed reassurance that where trusts are established and structured effectively, for a clear genuine purpose, they can successfully limit assets from the reach of the Court.  

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Victorian Government - Proposed Imposition of Stamp Duty on Adjustments made for Land Tax and Windfall Gains Tax
Victorian Government - Proposed Imposition of Stamp Duty on Adjustments made for Land Tax and Windfall Gains Tax

The Commissioner of State Revenue has released draft revenue ruling, Draft-DA-70: Land Transfer Duty – Consideration – Assumption of Tax Liabilities (Draft Ruling) seeks to impose land transfer (stamp) duty on adjustments made for certain taxes at settlement of a property transaction, by treating those adjustments as dutiable consideration.

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Harwood Andrews January 2026 Promotions Announced
Harwood Andrews January 2026 Promotions Announced

Harwood Andrews is proud to announce the following well-deserved promotions effective 1 January 2026.

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Celebrating Rob Warnock’s Retirement
Celebrating Rob Warnock’s Retirement

Please join us in congratulating Rob Warnock Principal Lawyer and CTA on his retirement from active practice as a lawyer at Harwood Andrews.

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Who are a Charity’s “Responsible Persons”?
Who are a Charity’s “Responsible Persons”?

If your organisation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), you are required to notify the ACNC of the appointment of people responsible for governing the charity. These are known as “Responsible Persons”. Essentially, they are entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the charity and determining how the organisation should be run.

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Rob Jeremiah Announces Retirement After a Distinguished Legal Career
Rob Jeremiah Announces Retirement After a Distinguished Legal Career

We are honoured to announce that our esteemed consultant, Rob Jeremiah, will retire from active practice at Harwood Andrews, effective 5 December 2025

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AML/CTF Series: AUSTRAC Releases Core Guidance 
AML/CTF Series: AUSTRAC Releases Core Guidance 

As covered in our previous article series (link), amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), extending anti money laundering (AML) and counter terror financing (CTF) obligations to additional professional service sectors, will take effect from the 1 July 2026.

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AML/CTF series: Why is an AML/CTF Risk Assessment required - and how do law firms do one? 
AML/CTF series: Why is an AML/CTF Risk Assessment required - and how do law firms do one? 

At the heart of law firms’ anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations is a risk assessment.

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AML/CTF series: How does “tipping off” and legal professional privilege (LPP) work for law firms?
AML/CTF series: How does “tipping off” and legal professional privilege (LPP) work for law firms?

With the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) (Act), law firms will soon be subject to the expanded anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regime.

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AML/CTF series: What reports and records will AUSTRAC expect from law firms?
AML/CTF series: What reports and records will AUSTRAC expect from law firms?

Reporting and recordkeeping are core pillars of the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regime. 

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