Opening a company in Australia: locals, foreigners, freelancers and digital nomads

At a glance: Pty Ltd with no minimum capital, registered online with ASIC in a day for about AUD 600 (about 340 euros), 25 percent tax for small companies and 30 percent otherwise, GST from AUD 75,000, one director must live in Australia, no digital nomad visa. Legal forms. Sole trader: an Australian Business Number (ABN) only, no capital, personal liability. Proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd): no minimum capital (one share of AUD 1 is common), up to 50 non-employee shareholders, at least one director ordinarily resident in Australia. Public company (Ltd): three directors, two resident, audited accounts. Registration. ASIC through the Business Registration Service portal: about AUD 600 for a Pty Ltd (indexed each July), business name AUD 44 a year, ABN, tax file number (TFN) and GST registration free in the same application, no notary. Every director first needs a free director identification number from the Australian Business Registry Services. Approval within a business day; annual review fee about AUD 320. Typical total with an agent excluding capital: AUD 600 to 2,000 (about 340 to 1,150 euros). Taxes 2026. Corporate tax 30 percent; base rate entities (turnover below AUD 50 million, at most 80 percent passive income) 25 percent. Franked dividends carry a credit for company tax: residents pay their marginal rate less the credit; non-residents pay no withholding on franked dividends and 30 percent on unfranked ones (15 or less under treaties). GST 10 percent, compulsory from AUD 75,000 turnover (about 43,000 euros). Personal rates 2026-27: tax free to AUD 18,200, then 15, 30 and 37 percent, 45 percent above AUD 190,000 (about 108,000 euros), plus the 2 percent Medicare levy; non-residents pay 30 percent from the first dollar. Freelancers and the self-employed. Apply for an ABN (free, instant online) and register a business name if not trading under your own name; GST only above AUD 75,000. Income is taxed at personal rates with no flat regime; the small business income tax offset refunds 16 percent of tax up to AUD 1,000 a year and assets under AUD 20,000 are written off immediately. Quarterly PAYG instalments after the first return. No compulsory social insurance: the Medicare levy funds health care and superannuation is voluntary for the self-employed, so the minimum monthly cost beyond income tax is zero. Foreigners. 100 percent foreign ownership; the only structural rule is one director ordinarily resident in Australia plus an Australian registered office (nominee directors cost about AUD 3,000 to 8,000 a year). Foreign Investment Review Board approval only above about AUD 339 million (always for residential land). No straightforward founder visa: the subclass 188 business visa closed in July 2024 without a successor, leaving the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) by nomination or sponsorship by your own company under the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) at a salary of at least AUD 76,515 (about 44,000 euros). Banks verify non-resident directors in person. Branch of a foreign company. Register with ASIC as a registered foreign company (Form 402, about AUD 600): certified and translated certificate of incorporation and constitution, directors list, a local agent resident in Australia who is personally liable for compliance, a registered office, annual accounts. Branch profits are taxed as a permanent establishment at 30 percent (25 if the parent qualifies as a base rate entity) with no branch profits tax or remittance withholding. Almost all foreign groups use a Pty Ltd subsidiary. Digital nomads. No digital nomad visa. Visitors use the free eVisitor or AUD 20 Electronic Travel Authority (three months per visit) or the Visitor visa (subclass 600, about AUD 200, three to twelve months), all with a no-work condition; Home Affairs has not carved out remote work for a foreign employer, so laptop work is tolerated rather than permitted. Partner-country citizens aged 18 to 30 (35 for some) can use the Working Holiday visa (AUD 670, twelve months). Tax residence starts after 183 days in a tax year. Changed recently. Subclass 188 business visa closed (July 2024); Skills in Demand and National Innovation visas replaced the 482 and Global Talent visas (December 2024); superannuation guarantee 12 percent (1 July 2025); lowest personal rate cut to 15 percent, payday superannuation and company loss carry-back (1 July 2026); 14 percent rate legislated for 1 July 2027. Figures checked October 2026 from ASIC, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Business Registry Services and the Department of Home Affairs, with PwC and Australian accounting firm summaries; thresholds and fees change yearly. Confirm with a licensed adviser in Australia before you file.