Ourcompany formation agents in Australia are at the disposal of both domestic and foreign entrepreneurs who want to thrive and generate profits by forming and expanding their companies and activities in Australia.
What types of companies can I open in Australia?
In respect to the Corporations Act 2001, foreigners in Australia can set up the following types of companies:
- a proprietary company (Pty) – the preferred form of business in this country;
- public limited liability companies and unlimited public companies;
- one can alsoopen a company in Australia as a sole trader/partnership.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of companies | – sole trader, – limited company (public or private), – partnership, -trust, -cooperative, -joint venture |
Minimum share capital for LTD company | No capital requirements |
Minimum number of shareholders for limited company | 1 |
| Time frame for the incorporation | The incorporation can take up to 2 days. |
| Do you supply a registered address/virtual office? | Yes |
| Local director required | It is necessary to appoint at least 1 director who is an Australian resident |
| Foreign-ownership allowed | Yes, with certain limitations in specific industries. |
| Documents for company registration | For company formation in Australia, investors must prepare the following: – the constitution/the replaceable rules, – the company’s trading name registered with the Australian Securities&Investments Commission (ASIC), – the Australian Company Number (ACN), – directors’ ID number, – the company’s registered address, etc. |
| Institution in charge with the registration | Company formation in Australia is completed by ASIC. |
| Obligation to be present for the incorporation formalities (yes/no) | No |
| How to obtain legal representation | Our consultants can assist foreigners with services related to company formation in Australia through the power of attorney. |
| How can foreign companies expand in Australia? | Through a branch office, a representative office or a subsidiary. |
| Company registration fees | ASIC charges $524 (companies incorporated without a share capital)/$636 (companies incorporated with a share capital/foreign companies). |
| Bank account requirements | Private/public companies, partnerships and trusts need to have a separate bank account set up at a local commercial bank. |
How can I start a company in Australia?
The incorporation of a company in Australia starts with the requirements of the Australian Business Register (ABR) overseen by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission which offers a simplified procedure in this matter by having a close connection with other local authorities. In the list below, our consultants, specialized in company formation in Australia, present some of the steps:
- first, it is required to do a name verification, in order to see if the company name that you are interested can be used;
- the Australian company can start its business activities in Australia once it receives the Australian Business Number (ABN), which is issued by the Australian Business Registration Service;
- it is also mandatory to draw up and sign the statutory documents of the legal entity chosen for incorporation;
- Australian incorporated companies need to have a registered address in this country, therefore all legal entities must meet this requirement;
- investors must also complete tax registration formalities.
What is the maximum number of shareholders in a proprietary company in Australia?
If you want toopen a LLC in Australia you must know that this legal entity can be can be limited (Pty Ltd) or unlimited (Pty) and it can be incorporated by at least one member and a maximum of 50 shareholders, as mentioned by the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001.
We invite you to watch a short video presenting how to open a company in Australia:
Do the Australian registration authorities charge registration fees?
Yes, local registration authorities charge fees for the processing of the application for company registration in Australia. The fees vary based on the company’s minimum share capital, but also on other factors that can be explained by our team of consultants.
What are the registration fees charged in 2026?
Starting with 1st of July 2026, the registration fees are:
- $524 – the standard fee charged for the registration of a company that does not have a share capital;
- $636 – the standard fee charged for legal entities incorporated with a share capital (the same fee is applied for the registration of a foreign company).
What is the duration of the registration process?
Company formation in Australiacan be completed in a matter of days. For instance, those who will submit their registration file through the Business Registration Service can finish the procedure in around 15 minutes, after which they will get a confirmation on the registration in around 2 business days. Please mind that this timeframe refers to the ASIC incorporation formalities.
The infographic below offers basic details on how to open a company in Australia in 2026:
Can I fully own a company in Australia?
Yes, regardless of the company type that you will set up in this country, you can be the sole owner, even as a foreigner. Local businesses can be set up with 100% foreign ownership – limitations can appear in a few industries, such as national security or agriculture.
We invite you to send your questions to our consultants if you are interested in the process of opening a company in Australia.