How to form a company in Australia from India

Yes. An Indian individual or an Indian company can own 100% of an Australian Pty Ltd. The company does need at least one director who ordinarily lives in Australia and an Australian registered office.

A proprietary limited company (Pty Ltd). It is a separate legal entity with limited liability, it is cheap to register and maintain, and Australian banks and customers know it well.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Registration is national, so a company registered once can trade in every state and territory.

Once every director has a director ID and the details are ready, an online ASIC application is often processed the same day. The director ID for someone outside Australia and the Indian ODI step usually take longer than ASIC itself.

No. A Pty Ltd can be registered with a small number of shares at a nominal value, even one share. Banks and landlords may expect enough funds to show the business is real.

One person can be the only shareholder and the only director, but that director must ordinarily live in Australia. A founder in India therefore needs a second, resident director.

Not for a Pty Ltd. A public company must have a secretary who ordinarily lives in Australia.

A Pty Ltd is limited to 50 non employee shareholders and cannot raise funds from the public. A public company can, but needs three directors, a secretary, audited accounts and a higher annual review fee.

Yes. It can register with ASIC as a foreign company and receive an ARBN. It then trades directly, the Indian company is liable for the Australian activity, and it must appoint a local agent and lodge its accounts each year.

Most investors choose a subsidiary because it limits liability to the Australian company and is easier for banks and customers. A registered foreign company can suit a short project run by an established parent.

You choose the state of registration for the record, but company law is national and the company can trade anywhere. State rules still matter for payroll tax, stamp duty, licences and land.

Yes, and many Australian businesses use that structure. It adds a trust deed and tax rules on distributions, and foreign beneficiaries can pay extra duty and tax, so take advice first.

Usually not for a new business that does not buy land or operate in a sensitive sector. Approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board can be needed to buy property or to invest in sensitive businesses, so check before you commit.

The Corporations Act requires at least one director of a proprietary company to ordinarily reside in Australia. Without one, ASIC will not register the company and an existing company falls out of compliance.

Any eligible adult who ordinarily lives in Australia, such as a trusted partner, employee or professional director. They carry full legal duties, so agree the role, fees and decision making in writing.

Yes. Every director needs a director ID before appointment. People outside Australia usually apply by paper form with certified identity documents, which takes longer than the online route used by residents.

Yes, with care. If key decisions are made in India, the company could be treated as tax resident in India too. Hold board decisions and keep records in line with how you intend the company to be managed.

No. Company ownership does not give a right to live or work in Australia. Founders who want to move need a separate visa, and the old Business Innovation and Investment programme has closed to new applications. See our Australia visa guide for Indian entrepreneurs.

It must be a real address in Australia where documents can be served, not a PO box. Many founders use their accountant or a professional service that consents to act as the registered office.

Resident Indians invest through an authorised dealer bank under the overseas investment rules. Form FC is filed, RBI allots a unique identification number, and annual returns follow. Read our FEMA and RBI guide for Australian companies.

The company name, the state of registration, the registered office and principal place of business, each director and shareholder with their personal details and director ID, the share structure and the consents of every officer.

A document setting the company's internal rules. A Pty Ltd can rely on the replaceable rules in the Corporations Act instead, but most founders with partners or investors adopt a constitution.

Its certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents, a board resolution approving the investment and appointing an authorised signatory, and details of its ultimate owners.

Generally yes, with certified copies and English versions. India and Australia are both parties to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs is usually enough where formal legalisation is needed.

A register of members, minutes of directors' and members' meetings, financial records for seven years and the officers' consents. Changes to officers, addresses or shares are notified to ASIC within 28 days.

The ASIC registration fee is A$636 from 1 July 2026, and the annual review fee is A$342. Add the address service, the resident director arrangement, accounting and tax advice. Read the Australia company costs guide for a full breakdown.

The general company rate is 30%. A base rate entity, broadly a company with aggregated turnover under A$50 million and mostly active income, pays 25%. Our Australia tax guide for Indian entrepreneurs explains the tests.

Once its GST turnover reaches, or is expected to reach, A$75,000 a year. GST is charged at 10%, and the company can register voluntarily earlier to claim input credits.

The Australian Business Number identifies the business for tax and commercial dealings, and the tax file number is used for the company's income tax. Both are applied for after ASIC registration.

Fully franked dividends generally carry no withholding tax. Unfranked dividends are subject to withholding, which the India Australia tax treaty limits to 15%.

Comply Globally quotes Australian formation after a free consultation because the cost depends on the resident director arrangement and the structure. Government and third party fees are shown separately.

You receive the certificate and Australian Company Number. Then apply for the ABN and TFN, register for GST and PAYG withholding when needed, open a bank account and set up records and payroll.

Each year on the review date ASIC issues a company statement. You check the details, pay the review fee and pass a solvency resolution within two months. Late payment attracts fees.

Usually not. Most small proprietary companies keep financial records but do not lodge financial reports with ASIC unless they are foreign controlled and not exempt, or a shareholder or ASIC directs it.

Register for PAYG withholding, pay at least the superannuation guarantee of 12% of ordinary time earnings, follow the Fair Work rules and check state payroll tax once wages pass the state threshold.

Yes. The annual review fee, solvency resolution, tax return and record keeping continue even without trading. On the India side, the APR is still due by 31 December and the FLA return by 15 July.

Diarise the ASIC review date, BAS and GST dates, tax return due date and the Indian APR and FLA dates in one calendar. Our Australia compliance checklist lists them.

Comply Globally can help you find and document a suitable resident director arrangement through its Australian partners and set out the duties and fees in writing.

Yes. The team prepares Form FC with your authorised dealer bank, tracks the UIN and keeps the APR and FLA dates in your calendar alongside the Australian deadlines.

Comply Globally prepares the evidence Australian banks ask for and introduces options through its cross border banking support. The bank makes the final decision.