Incorporate · Oceania

Company Formation in Australia

Stable, credible Asia-Pacific base with an imputation tax system. Review the legal form, tax position, treaty network and indicative cost, then talk to one team that structures it end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Corporate tax: 30%
VAT / GST: GST of 10%
Formation: 1-3 days
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 45+
Setup cost: USD 800 - 3,000

At a glance

Common entity: Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)
Formation time: 1-3 days
Setup cost: USD 800 - 3,000
Annual cost: USD 1,500 - 4,000
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 45+

Holding companyTradingSaaS and technologyConsulting and servicesE-commerce

Best for

Credible Asia-Pacific operating entity
Access to the Australian consumer market
Businesses wanting a stable common-law base

Less ideal for

Founders wanting low corporate tax
Non-residents wanting no resident-director requirement

Legal and formation

Legal system	Common law
Common entity types	Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)
Formation timeline	1-3 days
Minimum capital	None
Foreign ownership	100% permitted
Minimum shareholders	1
Minimum directors	1 (at least one director ordinarily resident in Australia)
Local presence	Resident director and registered office in Australia required
Public registry	Directors and shareholders on the public ASIC register
Audit	Small proprietary companies are generally exempt

Tax profile

Corporate income tax	30% (25% for base-rate entities with turnover under AUD 50 million)
VAT / GST	GST of 10%
Withholding, dividends	30% on unfranked dividends (treaty reduced; franked dividends exempt)
Withholding, interest	10%
Withholding, royalties	30% (treaty reduced)
Capital gains	Within corporate tax (no general CGT discount for companies)
Territorial system	No
CFC rules	Yes
Participation exemption	Participation exemption on certain foreign branch and active foreign share gains

Every figure above is indicative. Rates, thresholds, minimum capital, ownership rules and timelines change and vary by activity, licence and structure. They are confirmed with the relevant authority and in a tailored quote before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How to set up in Australia

1
Reserve the company name and appoint a resident director
2
Obtain director identification numbers for directors
3
Register the company with ASIC and receive an ACN
4
Register for an ABN, tax file number and GST
5
Open a corporate bank account

Banking reality

Australian banks are strong but apply thorough KYC and generally expect a resident director and an in-person or verified identity check, so onboarding for foreign-owned companies takes planning.