Foreign Company Registration in Australia
Overseas companies wanting to carry on business in Australia are generally required to register as a foreign company with ASIC, rather than incorporate a new Australian entity, if they want to trade directly under their existing corporate structure. We help overseas businesses navigate this registration process and set up their Australian tax and compliance obligations correctly.
Foreign Company Registration vs an Australian Subsidiary
Overseas businesses generally have two options for operating in Australia: registering the existing foreign company with ASIC as a registered foreign company, or incorporating a new Australian subsidiary company. Each has different implications for liability, tax, and ongoing compliance – we help you weigh these up based on your business’s plans for the Australian market.
What’s Involved in Registering a Foreign Company
- Lodging the required ASIC forms and supporting documentation, including certified copies of your company’s constitution and certificate of incorporation
- Appointing a local agent in Australia to accept service of documents
- Registering for an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN)
- Setting up ABN, TFN and GST registration if required
- Establishing a registered office in Australia
Ongoing Compliance for Registered Foreign Companies
Once registered, a foreign company has ongoing obligations including lodging financial statements with ASIC (depending on your home jurisdiction’s reporting requirements) and keeping your local agent and registered office details current. We help manage these obligations so you stay compliant while focused on running your Australian operations.
Tax Obligations for Foreign Companies Operating in Australia
Income derived from your Australian operations is generally subject to Australian tax, and you may need to consider how Australia’s tax treaty with your home country affects your overall position. We work with you (and your overseas advisors where relevant) to make sure your Australian tax obligations are met correctly.
Acting as Your Local Agent
We can act as your registered local agent in Australia, providing a reliable point of contact for ASIC and other regulatory correspondence while your head office remains overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my foreign company, or should I set up a new Australian company instead?
It depends on your business goals, liability considerations and how you want to structure Australian operations. We talk through the trade-offs before recommending an approach.
What is an ARBN and do I need one?
An Australian Registered Body Number is issued when you register a foreign company with ASIC, and is used to identify your company in Australian dealings and filings.
Do I need a local agent in Australia?
Yes – registered foreign companies are required to appoint a local agent to accept service of documents and manage certain compliance obligations on the company’s behalf.
Will I need to lodge financial statements with ASIC?
Depending on your home jurisdiction’s reporting standards, registered foreign companies may need to lodge financial statements with ASIC – we help clarify what applies to your specific situation.
How long does foreign company registration take?
Timing depends on how quickly certified documentation can be obtained from your home jurisdiction, but the ASIC lodgement itself is generally processed promptly once complete.
How much does foreign company registration cost?
Cost depends on the complexity of your structure and documentation requirements. We provide a fixed quote before starting.
Related Company Registration Services
If you’d prefer to incorporate a new Australian entity rather than register your existing foreign company, see our company formation, online company registration and online company formation pages for the alternative approach.