Online Trust Formation

Setting up a trust online is one of the fastest ways to get your structure in place without multiple office visits. A One Accountants has helped clients across Melbourne establish family trusts, unit trusts and hybrid trusts entirely online – from the initial paperwork through to your trust deed and ABN/TFN registration – with a registered tax agent checking every step.

How Online Trust Formation Works

Once you’ve decided a trust is the right structure for you, the process itself is straightforward. You give us some basic information about the trust – who the trustee and beneficiaries will be, what the trust is for, and how you’d like it structured – by phone or WhatsApp. We then confirm the details, prepare your trust deed, and handle the registrations (ABN, TFN and, if needed, GST) on your behalf.

What You’ll Need to Provide

• Proposed trustee details (an individual or a company acting as trustee)
• Names of the intended beneficiaries
• The purpose of the trust (family/investment, business, or unit trust)
• Settlor details for the trust deed
• Your ABN/TFN registration preferences

Trust Structure Pros and Cons

A trust can offer flexibility in how income and capital gains are distributed among beneficiaries each year, and can provide a layer of asset protection compared to holding assets in your own name. The trade-off is more administration than a sole trader structure – trusts need their own tax return each year, a trustee resolution before 30 June, and ongoing compliance – so it suits people who want the flexibility and are comfortable with (or have an accountant handling) that extra paperwork.

Online Trust Formation Cost

The cost of setting up a trust online depends on the type of trust and whether a corporate trustee is required (which involves an additional company registration). We provide a fixed, transparent quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises – get in touch and we’ll confirm pricing for your specific structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does online trust formation take?

Most trusts are established within a few business days once we have your confirmed details, though ABN/TFN processing times with the ATO can add to this.

Do I need a company as trustee, or can I be the trustee myself?

Either is possible. An individual trustee is simpler and cheaper to set up, while a corporate trustee (a company acting as trustee) offers stronger asset protection – we can talk you through which fits your situation.

What’s the difference between a family trust and a unit trust?

A family (discretionary) trust lets the trustee decide how income is distributed among beneficiaries each year. A unit trust divides ownership into fixed units, similar to shares, which suits arrangements where each party’s share needs to be fixed in advance, such as with unrelated business partners.

Can I set up the trust entirely online without visiting your office?

Yes. The whole process can be completed online and by phone – you’re welcome to visit our Melbourne CBD office if you’d prefer, but it isn’t necessary.

Do I need an accountant to set up a trust, or can I do it myself?

You can set one up yourself, but an incorrectly drafted deed or the wrong trustee structure can cause tax and legal problems later. Having a registered tax agent prepare it correctly from the start avoids costly fixes down the track.

See also: Company Formation Melbourne, Foreign Company Formation, and Online ABN Registration.

Start Your Online Trust Formation Today

start your trust formation request online now, or Call 1300 A1 AONE (1300 212 663) or message us on WhatsApp with your trust details and we’ll call you back to get everything set up correctly from the start.