EOFY 2026: Why Jewellery Retailers Should Review Stock and Equipment Before 30 June

MELBOURNE, Australia — With 30 June approaching, Searay is urging Australian jewellery retailers to treat the end of financial year as more than a paperwork exercise, pointing to tax planning, stock control and the start of a fresh trading year as reasons to review stock and equipment now rather than leaving decisions until July.

The timing still matters. For the 2025–26 financial year, eligible small businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million may be able to immediately deduct the full cost of qualifying assets costing less than $20,000, provided each asset is first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026. The Australian Government has also announced, as part of the 2026–27 Federal Budget, that the $20,000 instant asset write-off will be made permanent, giving small businesses more certainty around future investment decisions.

For jewellers, that distinction is practical rather than academic. The write-off applies on a per-asset basis, so a retailer may be able to deduct multiple qualifying items in the same year, provided each asset meets the eligibility requirements. For jewellery businesses, this may include store equipment, display and security assets, and testing instruments used in day-to-day operations.

Two Searay-distributed products that may qualify, depending on the business and how the asset is used, are the NAPCO S9500 precious metal analyser and the Yehuda Watson AI lab-grown diamond detector. Both are business equipment purchases that jewellery retailers, pawn shops and valuers may consider when reviewing store capability before EOFY.

EOFY is also the natural moment to deal with stock. Accountants generally advise businesses carrying inventory to conduct a stocktake as close to 30 June as possible, because closing stock value flows directly into taxable income. It is also the point at which obsolete, damaged or slow-moving lines should be identified and correctly valued — both as a tax consideration and as a prompt to reorder the pieces that actually turn over.

"The end of the financial year is the one moment each year when a smart retailer can reset their stock and their tax position at the same time," said Ron Loccisano, Director of Searay. "We see jewellers leave both to the last week of June. The ones who plan it deliberately walk into July with cleaner books and the right product on the floor."

A planning window, not a sale

Searay's view is that the instant asset write-off should be treated as a planning opportunity, not a reason to spend unnecessarily. The incentive is most useful when the asset is genuinely needed by the business and is ready for use within the required timeframe.

"EOFY should not be about buying for the sake of buying," said Loccisano. "It should be about looking at what protects the business, what improves the customer experience and what helps a jeweller trade better in the new financial year."

Demand patterns reinforce the point. Gold has traded near record levels in Australian dollar terms through 2026, keeping fine gold chain, bracelets and bangles firmly in customer demand, while lab-grown diamond jewellery continues to widen the price points retailers can offer. A jeweller clearing slow stock at EOFY is, in effect, freeing capital to restock the categories that are selling into the new year.

Planning the new financial year's stock

Searay, which carries more than 4,500 products in stock with same-day dispatch, says the practical takeaway for retailers is to separate two decisions that often get muddled in late June: what to clear, and what to reorder. Writing down dead stock is a tax question; choosing what replaces it on the shelf is a merchandising one, and the new financial year is the cleaner starting line for both.

"A new financial year is a buying signal as much as a tax one," said Loccisano. "Our job as a wholesaler is to make the reorder decision easy — to have the chain, the bracelets and the diamond ranges in stock and out the door the same day, so a retailer's shelves are ready for the new year rather than waiting on backorders."

Retailers planning EOFY restocks or equipment purchases are encouraged to speak with their Searay account manager before 30 June. For assistance, contact Gabriel Kuryo on 0430 793 004 or gabriel@searay.net.au, or contact Searay head office on 03 9095 6070 or info@searay.net.au.

The company notes that any business decision with a tax dimension should be confirmed with the retailer's own accountant, and that eligibility for the instant asset write-off depends on turnover, timing, asset cost and how each asset is used.

About Searay

Searay Pty Ltd (searay.net.au) is an Australian business-to-business wholesale jewellery supplier and the country's largest 9k and 18k gold chain supplier, working strictly with trade businesses. Known as Australia's Chain Specialists since the 1990s, Searay has spent more than 30 years manufacturing, importing and wholesaling Italian-made gold chain — belcher, curb, figaro, rope, paperclip, anchor, box and franco styles — alongside bracelets, bangles, earrings, pendants, rings and a select range of IGI-certified lab-grown diamond jewellery in 9k gold, 18k gold and platinum. Searay is also the exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor of Yehuda's Sherlock AI and Watson AI lab-grown diamond detectors. With more than 4,500 products in stock, same-day dispatch and competitive trade pricing, Searay supplies jewellery retailers, independent and custom jewellers, multi-store brands and pawn shops across Australia and New Zealand. Trade businesses can open a wholesale account at searay.net.au/pages/signing-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the instant asset write-off threshold for the 2025–26 financial year?

For 2025–26, eligible small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover under $10 million may be able to immediately deduct the full cost of qualifying assets costing less than $20,000, provided each asset is first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026. The Australian Government has announced that the $20,000 threshold will be made permanent from 2026–27.

Can jewellery testing equipment qualify for the instant asset write-off?

It may, depending on the business, the asset cost, timing and how the equipment is used. Jewellery retailers should speak with their accountant before purchasing. Searay distributes equipment such as the NAPCO S9500 precious metal analyser and Yehuda Watson AI lab-grown diamond detector, both of which may be relevant for jewellery stores reviewing EOFY equipment needs.

When should a jewellery store do its EOFY stocktake?

Accountants generally recommend conducting a stocktake as close to 30 June as possible, because the closing stock value directly affects taxable income. It is also the right time to identify and correctly value obsolete, damaged or slow-moving stock.

Where can jewellery retailers buy wholesale gold chain in Australia?

Searay is an Australian trade-only wholesale jewellery supplier and the largest 9k and 18k gold chain supplier in the country, carrying more than 4,500 products in stock with same-day dispatch. Trade businesses can open a wholesale account at searay.net.au.

Does Searay supply lab-grown diamond jewellery and diamond testing equipment?

Yes. Searay supplies a select range of IGI-certified lab-grown diamond jewellery in 9k gold, 18k gold and platinum, and is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor of Yehuda's Sherlock AI and Watson AI lab-grown diamond detectors.

Should I get advice before making an EOFY purchase?

Yes. Eligibility for the instant asset write-off depends on your turnover, the cost and timing of each asset, and how it is used. Confirm any tax-related decision with your own accountant before making an EOFY purchase.