Australia Company Registration | Set Up a Pty Ltd Company in Australia
Planning an Australia company registration or want to set up a company in Australia? Foreign businesses most often set up a proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd), registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which issues an Australian Company Number (ACN). Foreigners can own 100% of the shares, but the company must have at least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Australia, and every director must first obtain a Director ID.
For 2026-27 the ASIC registration fee is A$636 and the annual review fee is A$342. Base rate entities pay 25% company tax and other companies 30%. GST is 10%, and registration is required at a turnover of A$75,000. With a transparent legal system and close trade links with the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is a strong base for taking a brand international. NSS Group (戰國策集團) provides a one-stop service for setting up a company in Australia: entity type assessment, resident director arrangement, Director ID, ASIC registration, ABN, TFN and GST registration, and bank account opening.
Australia’s economy has grown steadily over the long term, and the country has free trade agreements with several Asian countries, making it a base for expanding across the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia has a mature legal system based on English common law that strongly protects private property and intellectual property (IP). Company registration is managed centrally by ASIC, and company information is public and transparent.
The Australian government offers a generous R&D Tax Incentive to support technical innovation. Australia also has a highly skilled, multicultural workforce, with leading research capability in biotech, fintech and agtech.
Australia appeals to businesses for several reasons. The core advantages are:
In Australia, the structure foreign businesses prefer is the proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd). It is a separate legal entity and its shareholders have limited liability, which protects investors’ assets. ASIC handles Australia company registration, the process is largely online, and the main steps are:
First confirm the shareholders and directors. At least one director must ordinarily reside in Australia, and every director must apply to ABRS for a free Director ID before being appointed. Then choose an unused company name that meets ASIC rules and ends with Pty Ltd. You can also reserve the name (fee A$65).
Lodge the registration application with ASIC (Form 201, fee A$636 for 2026-27). Once approved, you receive an Australian Company Number (ACN), which means your company is legally established in Australia. After that, an annual review fee of A$342 is due on each anniversary of registration.
After incorporation, apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Both are free and are needed to trade, issue tax invoices and file tax returns.
If your GST turnover reaches or is expected to reach A$75,000 (A$150,000 for non-profit organizations), you must register for GST within 21 days. The rate is 10%, and registration lets you handle GST on goods and services in Australia correctly.
With your ACN, ABN, company constitution and other documents, open a business account at a local Australian bank to handle day-to-day funds and shareholder capital. The bank will check the identity and source of funds of the directors and shareholders.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of the company constitution
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Advice on Australian bank accounts
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment scheduling and accompaniment
- Support after the account is opened
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filings
- Document safekeeping and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change registration
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
To help you sell internationally, we offer Stripe application consulting, so your customers can pay easily and you can win more sales.
Good customer service is key to a successful business. We give you a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and improves customer satisfaction.
A professional website is your company’s storefront online. Our full web design service gives you a site that looks good and works well.
Online marketing is an essential part of growing a business today. Our online marketing services include SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
Every NSS Group company formation package includes a free all-in-one AI business management system, valued at NT$360,000
One AI system to run your company: 12 core systems, 75+ modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can start operating quickly.
- Company name search and registration
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of the company constitution
- Registration certificate and company documents
- Registered address service for the first year
The actual cost depends on the company type, share structure and any extra services you need. Our quotes are transparent, with no hidden fees.
ASIC government fees are charged separately (2026-27): company registration A$636, name reservation A$65, annual review fee A$342. Director ID, ABN and TFN applications are free. See the fee breakdown below.
Australia company formation cost: ASIC government fees
The government fees for setting up an Australian company are charged by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and adjusted every 1 July. Below are the 2026-27 fees that apply from 1 July 2026, so you can check each line when you compare quotes.
| Item | Government fee (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register an Australian company with share capital (Form 201) | A$636 | Setting up a proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd) |
| Company name reservation (Form 410) | A$65 | Optional; you can register directly with a name or with the ACN |
| Annual review fee (proprietary company) | A$342 | Paid on each anniversary of registration; special purpose proprietary company A$70 |
| Annual review fee, 10 years prepaid | A$2,538 | Proprietary companies (excluding special purpose companies) |
| Late fees | A$102 within 1 month, A$428 after more than 1 month | Apply to late lodgement or late payment of the annual review fee |
| Director ID, ABN, TFN | Free | Director ID from ABRS; ABN and TFN from the tax authority |
| Registered address, public officer, accounting and agent services | Quoted per case; NSS Group gives a written quote after a free assessment | |
Fees are based on ASIC Fees for commonly lodged documents (from 1 July 2026), checked in October 2026. ASIC indexes its fees every 1 July. The latest official notices prevail.
Australian company tax: company tax and GST
An Australian company applies to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for an ABN and TFN and lodges company income tax returns. Once turnover reaches the threshold, it must register for goods and services tax (GST).
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company tax (base rate entity) | 25% | Aggregated turnover for the year below A$50 million, and base rate entity passive income no more than 80% of assessable income. |
| Company tax (other companies) | 30% | Applies to companies that do not qualify as base rate entities. |
| GST rate | 10% | Applies to most goods and services sold or consumed in Australia. |
| GST registration threshold | GST turnover of A$75,000 | A$150,000 for non-profit organizations. Register within 21 days of reaching the threshold. Ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless of turnover. |
| ASIC annual review | Each anniversary of registration | Confirm company details and pay the annual review fee. Directors must pass a solvency resolution. |
| Dividends and cross-border withholding | Under ATO rules | Whether withholding applies to dividends depends on whether they are franked. A double tax agreement between Australia and the shareholder's country may apply. |
Rates are based on ATO notices for 2025-26. Ask an Australian registered accountant to assess your structure.
Pty Ltd or a foreign company branch? Entity comparison
When foreign companies set up in Australia, they most often compare a proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd) with an Australian branch registered as a foreign company.
| Item | Proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd) | Australian branch of a foreign company |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity, shareholders have limited liability | Not a separate legal entity; the parent company is liable |
| Registration | Registered with ASIC for an ACN, fee A$636 | Registered with ASIC as a foreign company for an ARBN |
| Director requirements | At least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Australia; every director needs a Director ID | Must appoint a local agent who resides in Australia |
| Company tax | 25% or 30% | Taxed on profits attributable to Australia |
| Best for | Local operations, hiring, brands and e-commerce | Parent company operating directly in Australia |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholder structure, business counterparties and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Australia
- A resident director is mandatory: a proprietary limited company must have at least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Australia. Foreign shareholders can own 100%, but you need a local director you can trust.
- Get a Director ID first: every director must apply to the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) for a Director ID before being appointed. The application is free, and people outside Australia can use the ABRS overseas application process.
- A company secretary is optional: a Pty Ltd does not have to appoint a company secretary. If it does, the secretary must ordinarily reside in Australia.
- Do not miss the annual review: on each anniversary of registration ASIC sends an annual statement. You must check the details and pay the A$342 annual review fee, and late fees apply if you pay late.
- GST and cross-border sales: you must register for GST within 21 days once GST turnover reaches A$75,000, and overseas businesses selling to Australian consumers may also need to register for GST.
- Home-country tax and outbound investment: check whether your home country has a double tax agreement with Australia and whether it requires approval or a filing for outbound investment. Keep contracts and records for money moving in and out.
Further reading
Sources: ASIC: Fees for commonly lodged documents; ASIC: Company officeholders, directors and secretaries; ASIC: Director ID; ABRS: Who needs to apply for a Director ID; ATO: Company tax rates 2025-26; ATO: Registering for GST; ASIC: Obligations of foreign companies. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does it take to set up a company in Australia?
What documents do I need to set up an Australian company?
To set up an Australian company, you usually need to prepare the following first:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. The Australian company name, entity type and registered address arrangement
- 4. A description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in Australia to set up a company?
Most steps to set up an Australian company can be completed remotely, with documents prepared and signed under authorization and a local agent’s support, so you do not always need to be there in person. However, bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does an Australian company have?
- 1. Company income tax (25% or 30%) and GST (10%)
- 2. Annual filings, company register maintenance, registered agent or secretarial services
- 3. Accounting records, the directors' solvency resolution and the share register
What businesses and structures suit an Australian company?
Who can help me register a company in Australia?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group provides one-stop support from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance, reducing the uncertainty of cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Australian entity type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration application
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment document support
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website development, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advice and cross-border business support
We arrange your Australian company setup, maintenance and ongoing support around your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.