START A COMPANY / ASIA-PACIFIC
How to register a company in Australia
Companies are registered with ASIC through the Business Registration Service in about 15 minutes, with the ACN issued automatically. ASIC's fee from 1 July 2026 is A$636 plus A$342 a year. A Pty Ltd needs one resident director, a Director ID, one shareholder and an Australian registered office.
- REGISTRY
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Business Registration Service; Australian Business Register (ABN)
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- A$0 (≈ £1)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes: foreigners can own 100% of a Pty Ltd, but at least one director must ordinarily live in Australia, so overseas founders often appoint a resident director. You also need an Australian registered office, a Director ID for each director and, to live and work there, a suitable visa.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Pty Ltd: Proprietary Limited company (Pty Ltd)
Most small and growing businesses and foreign-owned subsidiaries: limited liability, 25% base-rate company tax, simple structure.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 director aged 18+ who ordinarily lives in Australia and 1 shareholder; a company secretary is optional
- Minimum capital
- None (one share, often A$1)
- Time
- Same day to 2 business days (about 15 minutes online; ASIC confirms within 2 business days)
Steps
Get a Director ID for each director from the Australian Business Registry Services (free) before they are appointed.
Check the name with ASIC (or use the ACN as the name) and decide whether to adopt a constitution or use the replaceable rules.
Log in to the Business Registration Service and choose 'Register a company': company type, directors, shareholders, share structure and addresses.
Provide a registered office address in Australia and a principal place of business; collect written consent from directors, any secretary and members.
Pay the ASIC fee online (A$636 from 1 July 2026); confirmation is emailed, within 2 business days at most.
Apply for an ABN, TFN and GST in the same session (the ABN and TFN are free).
Open a business bank account with the ACN details; register for PAYG withholding and superannuation before you pay staff.
Documents
- Director ID for each director
- Full name, date and place of birth and residential address of each officeholder
- Shareholder names, number of shares and amount paid
- Registered office and principal place of business addresses
- Written consent to act as director or secretary, and member consent
- Company constitution (optional; replaceable rules apply otherwise)
Official fees
ASIC registration A$636 (from 1 July 2026; A$611 before) and A$342 annual review fee; ABN, TFN and Director ID are free; a business name is A$47 (1 yr) or A$108 (3 yrs).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | A$636≈ £340 | DIY: ASIC registration fee (ABN, TFN and Director ID are free) |
| With an accountant or agent | A$1,100≈ £580 | With an accountant or online incorporator, including the ASIC fee (about A$900–1,500) |
| Full service | A$3,000≈ £1,600 | Lawyer/corporate package with constitution, registered office, resident-director help and bank setup (about) |
Every year
- Pay ASIC's annual review fee (A$342) and confirm company details each year, including the solvency resolution
- Lodge Business Activity Statements; register for GST when turnover reaches A$75,000 and withhold PAYG for staff
- Pay the 12% superannuation guarantee; from 1 July 2026 under Payday Super it must reach funds within 7 days of payday
- Lodge a company tax return (25% for base-rate entities, 30% otherwise) and tell ASIC of officeholder or address changes within 28 days
Good to know. ASIC and business.gov.au fees for 1 July 2026 verified; the 28-day notification period and GST threshold are from general knowledge.
SOLE TRADER
Sole trader: Sole trader (individual with an ABN)
Freelancers and small traders; no company registration, but you are personally liable and need the right to work in Australia.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 individual aged 18+ with work rights in Australia
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- Same day (ABN is often issued immediately)
Steps
Check your visa allows self-employment and that you have an Australian tax file number (TFN) from the ATO.
Apply for an ABN (free) through the Australian Business Register with your identity details and business activity.
If you trade under a name other than your own, register it with ASIC (A$47 for one year or A$108 for three years from 1 July 2026).
Register for GST once turnover reaches A$75,000 (or earlier if you wish) and set up PAYG instalments.
Open a business bank account and arrange insurance (public liability; workers' compensation if you hire).
Documents
- TFN and personal identity details
- Business activity description and address
- Visa evidence showing work rights (for non-citizens)
Official fees
ABN: free. Business name (if used): A$47 for one year or A$108 for three years from 1 July 2026. No ASIC company fee.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | A$0≈ £1 | DIY: the ABN is free; only an optional business name costs A$47 for one year |
| With an accountant or agent | A$300≈ £160 | With an accountant helping with ABN, GST and set-up (about A$200–500) |
| Full service | A$1,000≈ £530 | Accountant package with bookkeeping set-up and insurance advice (about) |
Every year
- Lodge your individual tax return and BAS or GST if registered
- Renew a registered business name (A$47 a year or A$108 for three years)
- Pay the 12% superannuation guarantee on any employees' wages
- Keep records for 5 years
Good to know. ABN being free and GST threshold from general knowledge; business name fees verified from ASIC (1 July 2026).
PARTNERSHIP
Partnership: General partnership (ABN and tax file number; no registration)
Two or more people or entities trading together; partners are jointly and severally liable and each is taxed on their share.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 2 partners (individuals or companies)
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1–7 days
Steps
Agree a written partnership agreement covering profit share, duties and exit.
Make sure each partner has a TFN; apply for the partnership's TFN and ABN (free) through the Australian Business Register.
Register the business name with ASIC if you trade under a name (A$47 for one year or A$108 for three years).
Register for GST when turnover reaches A$75,000 and for PAYG withholding if you employ staff.
Open a partnership bank account and arrange insurance.
Documents
- Partnership agreement
- TFNs and identity details of each partner
- Business address and activity description
Official fees
ABN: free. Business name (if used): A$47 for one year or A$108 for three years from 1 July 2026.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | A$0≈ £1 | DIY: ABN and TFN are free; an optional business name costs A$47 |
| With an accountant or agent | A$800≈ £420 | With an accountant and a lawyer-drafted agreement (about A$500–1,500) |
| Full service | A$2,500≈ £1,300 | Lawyer and accountant package with agreement, registrations and tax set-up (about) |
Every year
- Lodge an annual partnership tax return; partners declare their share in their own returns
- Lodge BAS, GST and PAYG and pay superannuation for staff
- Keep the ABR and ASIC business-name details up to date
Good to know. General knowledge; fees verified from ASIC (1 July 2026).
After you register
- ABN (free) and, if turnover is A$75,000 or more (A$150,000 for non-profits), GST registration with the ATO, then Business Activity Statements
- PAYG withholding registration and superannuation (12%; Payday Super from 1 July 2026) if you employ people, plus state workers' compensation insurance
- Open an Australian business bank account (ACN details, ABN and ID; foreign directors may face extra KYC)
- Keep the company register of members, minutes and financial records for 7 years
- Pass the annual solvency resolution and pay ASIC's annual review fee when invoiced
- Local council, state and industry licences (food, construction, AFSL/ACL for financial services) and trade marks with IP Australia
- Foreign investors: check FIRB approval if you will buy property or an existing business
Sources
Checked against:
- asic.gov.au/for-business/registering-a-company/
- business.gov.au/registrations/register-a-company
- business.gov.au/news/changes-for-businesses-from-1-july-2026
- asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/forms-and-fees/all-fees/fees-for-commonly-lodged-documents
- asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/forms-and-fees/all-fees/schedules-of-business-names-fees
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Asia-Pacific
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.