Strategic Location
Located in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia shares proximity with New Zealand, Indonesia, and China, among others. Moreover, it has strong ties with other neighboring nations such as the European Union, India, and South Korea, which makes company formation in Australia an ideal choice.
Ease of doing Business
The island continent provides a cohesive environment for doing business. Australia has a streamlined and straightforward company incorporation process that spans a few days. Aside from this, business-friendly policies ensure owners can avail of easy credit and trade efficiently across borders.
Free Trade Agreements
Australia enjoys various FTAs that promote ease of cross-border business by reducing barriers to trade. The country has free trade agreements with multiple countries such as New Zealand, Chile, the United States, Malaysia, Japan, China, and more.
Economic and Regulatory Strength
Australia boasts a robust regulatory framework that strikes a balance between business and labor freedom. Moreover, a free and open trade market ensures a flourishing economy, making company formation in Australia an ideal choice.
Business Incentives
Incorporating a company in Australia opens doors to a range of incentives to foster innovation and increase business competitiveness. Numerous tax incentives, business concessions, and direct grant funding opportunities are available.
Sole Trader
It is the easiest form of company setup in Australia. It involves a single person who is solely responsible for all business decisions and operations. They are entirely liable for the repayment of all the business debts. Here are some key elements:
Partnership
This type of company set up in Australia involves two or more people who share responsibility for business operations. They distribute the income or losses among themselves according to their capital investment.
General Partnership (GP)
All the partners have equal responsibility for business operations. Moreover, they have unlimited liability and are personally responsible for debt repayment and other obligations.
Limited Partnership (LP)
This company setup in Australia, has two sets of partners: General and Limited. The general partners have limited liability only up to the extent of their capital contribution. On the other hand, limited partners are passive investors who are not involved in the daily operations of the business.
Incorporated Limited Partnership (ILP)
Partners in an ILP can have limited liability for the business debts. However, it requires the presence of one or more general partners who have unlimited liability and are responsible for meeting the firm’s obligations in case of any shortfall.
Amanah
This type of Company formation in Australia includes a trust setup where the beneficiaries receive the profits. It implies a trustee (either an individual or a company) who manages the trust’s assets, does business, and distributes profits in favour of beneficiaries according to the written document called the trust deed. If the name of your company is other than its own, you must register it with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
Syarikat
It is a separate legal entity, meaning it has similar rights as a natural person and can incur debt, sue, and even face legal liabilities. The company members have limited liability and are only responsible for the capital they have invested.
Key Elements of a Company:
Branch
Foreign corporations can register a local branch of their overseas company. Setting up a foreign company in Australia is straightforward, as it requires (i) the appointment of a local agent allowed by the foreign company to accept services on behalf of the foreign company and (ii) a registered address in Australia. You must submit the annual financial statement of the branch to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
Representative Office
This type of company setup in Australia is only a representation of a company located overseas and cannot trade locally.