Company Registration Services for Foreign Businesses in Australia
If you are a foreign business looking to register an Australian company, AusBusinessRegister.com.au handles the entire ASIC, ATO and ABR process for you. Our company registration service is built specifically for offshore parent companies that need an Australian Pty Ltd subsidiary set up correctly the first time, without flying in, without a local lawyer, and without paying corporate-firm rates.
We are accountants, not a registration mill. James Carey CA CTA JP signs off on every formation personally, and there is no offshore call centre between you and the person doing the work.
How do I register an Australian company as a foreign business?
Foreign companies register an Australian Pty Ltd subsidiary by lodging ASIC Form 201 with a registered office address, a director who ordinarily resides in Australia (s201A Corporations Act), at least one shareholder, and a constitution. Total cost starts at $1,511 ($611 ASIC fee plus $900 professional fee). We can complete the entire registration remotely in 1 to 3 business days once we have your director ID and identity documents.
What is included in our company registration service
Every Pty Ltd registration we handle includes:
- ASIC Form 201 lodgement with the $611 government fee paid on your behalf
- ACN (Australian Company Number) issued by ASIC, usually within 1 to 3 business days
- Company constitution drafted to suit foreign-owned subsidiaries (no off-the-shelf replaceable rules)
- ABN application with the ATO (free, lodged with the company registration)
- TFN application for the new company (free)
- GST registration if required, or guidance on the $75,000 turnover threshold
- Director ID guidance for non-resident directors (paper Form NAT 75433 process)
- Member register, share certificates, and minutes of first directors meeting
- Digital company kit delivered as a single PDF pack
Optional add-ons we are routinely asked to bundle:
- Resident director appointment under s201A (from $6,000/yr + GST)
- Registered office address in Sydney (from $500/yr)
- Local agent for foreign-owned subsidiaries
- Bank account introduction with one of the Big Four
- Ongoing ASIC and ATO compliance (from $2,500/yr)
Transparent fixed pricing
There are two costs in every Australian Pty Ltd registration: the ASIC government fee and our professional fee.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| ASIC Form 201 government fee (Pty Ltd) | $611 (fixed by ASIC) |
| Our professional fee | From $900 + GST |
| ABN application | Included |
| TFN application | Included |
| GST registration (if applicable) | Included |
| Minimum total to incorporate | From $1,511 |
If you need a resident director under s201A (most foreign owners do), add $6,000/yr + GST. If you need a registered office, add $500/yr. We quote everything upfront before you commit. No hourly billing, no surprise disbursements.
Our 5-step process
- Quote and onboarding (Day 0). Tell us who the directors and shareholders are and where the parent company is based. We send a fixed-fee quote and an engagement letter the same day.
- Documents (Day 1 to 3). We collect certified ID for directors, the proposed company name, and shareholding structure. Non-resident directors apply for a Director ID (paper form, can take 28 to 56 days, but registration is not blocked).
- ASIC submission (Day 1 to 3). We lodge Form 201 electronically and pay the $611 ASIC fee. The ACN is usually issued the same day or next business day.
- ABN, TFN and GST (Day 2 to 5). We lodge the ATO and ABR registrations. Foreign-owned entities sometimes face a manual ABN review, which can extend to several weeks. We handle the back-and-forth with the ATO.
- Bank-ready handover (Day 5 to 7). You receive the digital company kit, constitution, ASIC certificate, ABN confirmation and a list of banks willing to onboard non-resident directors.
Why foreign businesses choose AusBusinessRegister.com.au
- CA, CTA, JP qualified. James Carey is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Adviser, and Justice of the Peace with 15+ years of cross-border subsidiary work.
- No offshore call centre. You deal with the person doing the work. Email replies inside one business day, Sydney time.
- Fixed fees, no hourly billing. You know the total cost before we start.
- Foreign-owner specialists. We do not register cafes and tradies. Every client is an offshore parent company, so the constitution, share structure and director arrangements are built for that.
- One firm, end to end. Company registration, resident director, registered office, ABN/GST, bookkeeping, tax returns and ASIC annual reviews are all done in-house.
- Fast turnaround. Most companies are operational with an ACN inside 3 business days.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign company own 100% of an Australian Pty Ltd?
Yes. There is no Australian shareholder requirement. A foreign parent can hold all the shares. The only residency requirement is at least one director ordinarily residing in Australia under s201A of the Corporations Act 2001. FIRB approval may be required if the investment exceeds the relevant threshold (generally $347M, or $1,498M for FTA partners).
Do I need to fly to Australia to register a company?
No. The entire registration is completed remotely. Identity documents are certified by a notary, lawyer or JP in your home country. We have registered companies for clients in the US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, India, Germany and the Netherlands without anyone flying in.
How long does company registration take?
The ACN is usually issued by ASIC within 1 to 3 business days of lodgement. ABN registration for foreign-owned companies can take longer (sometimes up to 28 days) because the ATO does additional identity checks. Total time from engagement to bank-ready is typically 5 to 10 business days.
Do all directors need a Director ID?
Yes. Every director of an Australian company must hold a Director ID (a 15-digit lifetime identifier from the ABRS) before being appointed. Australian residents can apply online via myID in minutes. Non-residents must use the paper application (Form NAT 75433) with two certified ID documents, which can take 28 to 56 days. We guide you through the paper process or can appoint a resident director to bypass the delay.
What is the minimum share capital for an Australian Pty Ltd?
There is no minimum share capital. Most companies are registered with a single $1 share, though common structures are 100 or 1,000 ordinary shares of $1 each. Share capital can be increased later by allotting more shares.
Do I need a resident director?
Yes, by law. Section 201A of the Corporations Act 2001 requires every Australian Pty Ltd to have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia. The penalty for non-compliance is up to $7,825 per day. If no one in your business meets this test, we can act as your resident director from $6,000/yr + GST.
What is the difference between an ACN and an ABN?
The ACN (Australian Company Number) is issued by ASIC when the company is registered and identifies the legal entity. The ABN (Australian Business Number) is issued by the ATO and is used for invoicing, GST and dealings with government. Australian companies must hold both. We apply for both as part of the standard registration.
Can you help me open an Australian bank account?
Yes. After registration we provide warm introductions to relationship managers at the Big Four banks (CBA, NAB, Westpac, ANZ) who are familiar with non-resident directors. Bank account opening for foreign-owned companies typically takes 2 to 6 weeks because of AML/KYC checks on overseas beneficial owners.
Ready to register your Australian company?
Request a fixed-fee quote and we will reply the same business day. Or call us on +61 2 8599 9890 to talk it through.
Related services: Resident Director Services | Local Agent for Branch Offices | Register a Business in Australia: Complete Guide