Australia company formation
Register a company in Australia.
Create the ASIC-registered entity, then connect its directors, tax registrations, licences and employment setup to the real Australian operation.
Overview
Start with where the Australian business will actually operate.
An Australian company is registered nationally through ASIC, but practical obligations still depend on the state or territory, industry, workforce, premises and transaction model. These facts shape licences, payroll, tax and operational registrations after incorporation.
A proprietary company limited by shares is the common structure for a private operating business. It is distinct from its shareholders and is governed by directors who owe duties under Australian law.
ASIC registration is the legal beginning.
The company may still need an ABN, tax file number, GST or employer registrations, business names, licences, banking and accounting systems.
Can a foreigner own an Australian company?
Foreign ownership is generally possible, subject to sector, investment-screening and regulatory rules. A proprietary company must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia. Ownership does not itself grant a visa or permission to work.
Entity selection
Compare independence, control and local exposure.
The structure affects liability, governance, tax, capital raising and the relationship with any overseas parent.
| Structure | Often considered when | Key planning points |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary company limited by shares | A private operating or holding business needs a separate Australian entity. | Resident director, registered office, share records and ASIC obligations apply. |
| Public company | A larger venture requires wider shareholding or capital-market options. | Governance and reporting requirements are substantially greater. |
| Registered foreign company | An overseas company carries on business directly in Australia. | The parent remains exposed and must appoint a local agent and maintain registered particulars. |
| Partnership | Two or more parties operate jointly without a company structure. | Liability, authority, tax allocation and continuity depend on the agreement and partnership type. |
| Trust structure | Ownership or investment planning calls for a trustee arrangement. | Trustee liability, beneficiary rights and tax treatment require specialist advice. |
Information to prepare
Resolve directors, addresses and shares before registration.
ASIC registration should follow a clear agreement on the company's name, type, governance, office, shareholders and intended business activity.
Company decisions
- Company name and legal type
- Registered office and principal place of business
- Directors and optional secretary
- Share classes, issues and beneficial ownership
- Constitution or replaceable-rules approach
People and evidence
- Resident director arrangement
- Director identification numbers
- Identity and address evidence
- Overseas parent documents where relevant
- Activity, funding and transaction narrative
Formation process
Register once, then connect every operating obligation.
The sequence separates the ASIC company record from tax, industry and workplace registrations that depend on the business model.
Confirm entity and footprint
Map activity, states, customers, staff, ownership and expected funding.
Appoint directors and office
Confirm resident director, consents, director IDs, registered office and principal place of business.
Agree shares and rules
Document shareholders, classes, initial issues and the governance framework.
Register with ASIC
Submit the application and organise the ACN and company record.
Apply for operating identifiers
Address ABN, TFN, GST, payroll and other registrations as applicable.
Complete licences and systems
Set up banking, accounting, employment, business names and industry approvals.
Accounting, tax & annual compliance
Connect the ATO and ASIC calendars to the operating model.
An Australian company has separate tax, accounting and registry responsibilities after registration. The applicable rate, reporting cycle and lodgment date depend on matters such as residence, income profile, turnover, company size, financial year and tax-agent arrangements, so each obligation should be confirmed for the entity rather than copied from a generic calendar.
Define residence, income and registrations.
A company may be taxed in Australia on worldwide or Australian-connected income depending on its residence and facts. The company tax rate can also depend on whether the entity meets the current base-rate conditions.
- Confirm the ABN, TFN and any other registrations needed for the activity.
- Map Australian and overseas income, permanent-establishment and related-party issues.
- Review deductions, losses, capital transactions and group arrangements before filing.
Keep records that explain the financial position.
ASIC requires companies to keep financial records that correctly record and explain transactions and support financial statements. Tax and corporate-law retention rules are not identical; ASIC financial records generally need to be kept for at least seven years.
- Maintain invoices, receipts, bank records, ledgers, contracts and asset schedules.
- Reconcile payroll, intercompany balances, GST coding and year-end tax adjustments.
- Confirm whether the company must prepare, audit or lodge a financial report with ASIC.
Match reporting to turnover and workforce.
GST registration and business activity statements depend on current rules and turnover tests. Employers may also have PAYG withholding, superannuation and fringe benefits tax obligations, alongside state or territory payroll requirements.
- Monitor current and projected GST turnover and register when the applicable test is met.
- Report GST and PAYG withholding through the assigned activity-statement cycle.
- Review super guarantee, fringe benefits, payroll tax and contractor classifications.
Treat the ASIC review as a governance checkpoint.
ASIC normally issues an annual statement around the company's review date. Officeholders should check the register, address the review fee and complete the required solvency process, while keeping tax-return and financial-report obligations on their own timetables.
- Check company details and notify ASIC of changes within the applicable window.
- Record the directors' solvency resolution and respond appropriately if it is not positive.
- Confirm whether a company tax return or ASIC financial report is due for the year.
Compliance rhythm
Build the calendar around the company's actual dates.
The sequence below is a working framework. Lodgment and payment dates must be checked for the entity, financial year or substituted accounting period, reporting cycle, tax-agent program and relevant state or territory.
Capture transactions as they occur.
Keep accounting, payroll, GST, superannuation and corporate records current so each return can be supported.
Close the accounts and test thresholds.
Reconcile the ledgers, review tax adjustments and reassess GST, FBT, payroll and financial-reporting requirements.
Lodge each obligation on its assigned cycle.
Coordinate activity statements, company tax, employer reporting and any ASIC financial report using the confirmed due dates.
Complete the annual review and changes.
Check the ASIC statement, fee, solvency record and company particulars, and update officers, addresses and shares when facts change.
One registration does not create one deadline.
ATO, ASIC and state or territory obligations run on different rules. Confirm the current thresholds, reporting periods, financial-year treatment and filing dates before relying on any timetable.
Decision balance
Why founders consider Australia—and what to test first.
Potential advantages
- Established legal and commercial system
- Recognised proprietary company structure
- Access to a substantial domestic market
- Strong Asia-Pacific business connections
- Developed professional and financial services
Points requiring care
- At least one resident director is required
- Federal and state obligations can overlap
- Foreign investment rules may apply
- Employment and payroll setup is detailed
- Company ownership does not provide immigration status
Frequently asked questions
Practical questions before you register.
What is a proprietary limited company?
It is the standard private company form, usually limited by shares and subject to restrictions that distinguish it from a public company.
Is an Australian-resident director required?
Yes. A proprietary company must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia.
Is a company secretary mandatory?
A proprietary company does not have to appoint a secretary. If it does, at least one secretary must ordinarily reside in Australia.
What is the difference between an ACN and ABN?
ASIC issues the ACN when the company is registered. An ABN identifies the business for dealings with government and other organisations and is obtained through a separate process.
Does registration include GST?
No. GST registration is separate and depends on the company's activities and current rules.
Can a company sponsor a visa?
Company formation and immigration are separate. Sponsorship and work rights depend on the employer, role, applicant and current immigration requirements.
Australia company formation
Set the local governance.
Then prepare to operate.
Share the owners, directors, states and activity. We will help organise ASIC registration and the workstreams that follow.
Book a Consultation →Scope depends on the entity, locations, people and industry.