Share Vesting Agreement for Australia

Share Vesting Agreement Template for Australia

An Australian Share Vesting Agreement is a legally binding document that establishes the terms and conditions under which shares in a company will vest to a recipient, typically an employee or contractor. This agreement operates under Australian corporate and securities law, particularly the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and addresses key aspects such as vesting schedules, conditions for vesting, treatment of unvested shares, and tax implications. The document includes provisions for compliance with Australian regulatory requirements, including employee share scheme regulations and relevant tax legislation.

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What is a Share Vesting Agreement?

A Share Vesting Agreement is a crucial document used in Australian corporate practice to structure the gradual acquisition of company shares by employees, executives, or contractors. This agreement is particularly common in startups and growth-stage companies where equity compensation forms a significant part of talent attraction and retention strategies. The document details vesting schedules, typically over 3-4 years, often with a one-year cliff, and must comply with Australian corporate law, particularly the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and relevant tax legislation. It's essential for companies implementing employee share schemes or offering equity-based incentives, providing protection for both the company and share recipients by clearly defining vesting conditions, share rights, and obligations.

What sections should be included in a Share Vesting Agreement?

1. Parties: Identifies the company issuing the shares and the recipient (often an employee or contractor)

2. Background: Explains the context of the agreement, including the company's share scheme and the recipient's relationship with the company

3. Definitions: Defines key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Grant of Shares: Details the number and class of shares being granted subject to vesting

5. Vesting Schedule: Specifies the vesting timeline and milestones

6. Vesting Conditions: Outlines the conditions that must be met for shares to vest

7. Treatment of Unvested Shares: Explains what happens to unvested shares upon various events

8. Share Restrictions: Details restrictions on transfer or disposal of shares

9. Tax Obligations: Addresses tax implications and responsibilities

10. Termination Provisions: Describes the impact of employment termination on vesting

11. General Provisions: Standard clauses including governing law, notices, and amendment procedures

What sections are optional to include in a Share Vesting Agreement?

1. Accelerated Vesting: Include when there are circumstances that can trigger immediate vesting (e.g., change of control)

2. Shareholder Rights: Include when voting rights or dividend entitlements need to be specified for unvested shares

3. Clawback Provisions: Include when the company wants the right to reclaim vested shares under certain circumstances

4. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation: Include when additional restrictive covenants are tied to the share vesting

5. Buy-Back Rights: Include when the company wants the right to buy back vested shares under certain circumstances

6. Employee Share Trust Provisions: Include when shares are held in trust during the vesting period

7. Tag-Along and Drag-Along Rights: Include for agreements with key employees or when part of broader shareholder arrangements

What schedules should be included in a Share Vesting Agreement?

1. Schedule 1 - Share Details: Detailed description of share class, rights, and restrictions

2. Schedule 2 - Vesting Schedule: Detailed timeline of vesting dates and proportions

3. Schedule 3 - Valuation Methodology: Method for determining share value for tax or buy-back purposes

4. Schedule 4 - Employee Share Scheme Rules: Complete rules of the employee share scheme if part of broader scheme

5. Appendix A - Share Certificate: Pro forma share certificate

6. Appendix B - Section 83B Election Form: Tax election form template if applicable under local tax laws

7. Appendix C - Shareholder Deed Accession: Form for recipient to accede to existing shareholder agreements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

Australia

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Stock Agreement

Sector

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
Clauses
Relevant Industries

Technology

Professional Services

Financial Services

Healthcare

Biotechnology

E-commerce

Software Development

Consulting

Media and Entertainment

Manufacturing

Renewable Energy

Mining and Resources

Retail

Telecommunications

Relevant Teams

Legal

Human Resources

Finance

Executive Leadership

Corporate Governance

Compensation & Benefits

Share Registry

Company Secretariat

Board of Directors

Relevant Roles

CEO

CFO

CTO

COO

General Counsel

HR Director

Company Secretary

Senior Software Engineer

Product Manager

Sales Director

Business Development Manager

Technical Lead

Department Head

Vice President

Board Member

Founder

Co-founder

Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Senior Manager

Industries
Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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