G'day folks,

When photography is a hobby that occasionally makes money in your spare time from stock, portrait shoots, events etc, what are the pros / cons of registering a company and putting your income and expenses through it?

I'm spending a few $ on nice gear like everyone else here, and wondering whether I could make any of it tax-deductible by putting it through a business while I'm still on the payroll as a regular employee in a job that has nothing to do with photography. I guess it can't be as easy at that, otherwise everyone would be creating companies and putting cars, property and everything else through them, but I'm keen to learn how those of you who are semi-pro / earning an income from photography while still doing regular salaried work in another industry handle your finances.

FWIW, I'm in Australia...

I'm in Australia also.  There are some guidelines about how much you need to make before you register for an ABN, I found them when I was researching the same thing (try the ATO website) but can't remember just how much that was now except for well beyond what I currently earn, or expect to in the near future.  As you say, otherwise everyone with a camera and three sales on SS would be doing it.

If a more experienced pro photographer in Australia happens by though, I'd be interested in their thoughts though!