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How to Register a Company in Australia?

How to Register a Company in Australia?

Company Incorporation in Australia

In Australia, a business can be established in roughly a week. In Australia, a different agency is in charge of company registration. To appoint senior executives in Australia, it is essential to comply with the company's standards. Among them would be business management.

An Australian Company Number (ACN), a Tax File Number (TFN), and an Australian Business Number are required to register a business in Australia (ABN). Given that it is Oceania's largest nation, it is a good area for business startups. With the help of free trade agreements, Australia can carry on uninterrupted trading with other nations. Australia also has DTAAs with many other nations. A shareholder wouldn't pay taxes twice. ASIC registration of a foreign company has the consequence of opening a branch office. The foreign company that wishes to apply for registration should reserve the company name to ensure that it is available in Australia and must submit an application form to ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission) along with a certified copy of the company's certificate of registration and constituent documents if those documents are not in English. Processing an application may take 28 days after it is submitted.

Types of Business Structure in Australia

You should think about your situation and who will become the main operator of the firm while you go through this procedure. It's crucial to choose your corporate structure wisely from the start because it can affect: the procedure for registering a business, your tax situation, the security of your assets, and/or the continuation of the company in the event of changes in control. 

Australian law allows for the establishment of businesses by both domestic and international business people. In Australia, there are essentially three kinds of business vehicles. These include companies, partnerships, trusts, and single proprietorships (both domestic and foreign)

The Important point for Register a Company in Australia

Before starting the process of business registration in Australia, the below criteria must be taken into account:

1.    Deciding on the company's structure

First, the business owner must choose between forming a company "limited by shares" and a corporation "unlimited with a share capital." The most typical type of business entity in Australia has historically been a company limited by shares. Shareholders' responsibility is capped by the number of shares that have agreed to purchase with their money. The personal liability of shareholders in corporations with a share capital, on the other hand, is infinite. This means that despite paying for their share of the company's shares in full, shareholders may still be held personally accountable for their obligations.

2.    Decisions about the constitution and substitute rules

Every business in Australia must abide by certain rules. The Corporation Act of 2001 established a set of normative guidelines for the interior management of a company, known as replaceable rules. The corporation must draught a constitution if it wishes to establish its distinct rules or alter the existing norms.

3.    Choosing the company's name

Australian businesses can either select a name for themselves or be referred to by their ACN (ACN). The reputation that a business may use in Australia is subject to specific regulations. The affixes must be added to the business names to ensure that the public is aware of the organizational structure and the scope of the members' liabilities. The following terms or acronyms must be added to the end of the names of proprietary limited businesses. Affixes include:

  • Proprietary Ltd

  • Proprietary Limited

  • Pty Limited

  • Proprietary Ltd.

  • Pty Ltd

On the other hand, unlimited proprietary businesses can only add the word "proprietary" to the end of the company name.

  • The name of the business cannot be the same as another name that already exists.

  • The name should be registered in the "National Record," an online register managed by the ASIC. After 2012, such a requirement will be required.

  • The corporate name can contain any alphanumeric characters.

  • The following phrases need to be limited: governmental, royal, trusty, and corporate

  • The ASIC will be entitled to reject a name if it were offensive to the public.

  • The name of the business must reflect the entity's legal standing. The private limited firm, for instance, might end with Co or Coy.

4.    Choosing the company's Australian registration and business addresses

The business must select both its registered office (where all communications and notices to the business are sent) and its principal place of business addresses (the place where the company conducts its business).

5.    The registered business address must be an Australian address

A company is referred to as the final holding company if another company owns all or the majority of its shares. The majority of proprietary firms will not have an actual holding company, and if they do, they must provide the name, ACN, ABN, or ARBN, as well as the nation of birth of the final holding company.

6.    Selecting the Australian company's office holders

The officeholders of a firm are the directors and secretaries and members. The following details must be provided for each shareholder. Their consent should also be provided. For a corporation to be registered in Australia, there must be a certain number of directors and shareholders. By doing so, be established by the specifications of the particular entity type. Some companies demand at least three directors. There must be at minimum one shareholder in the business. Australian nationality is required for at least two of the directors. Additionally, the company secretary needs to live in Australia. Under Australia's foreign investment framework, FIRB clearance is necessary if a non-Australian buys shares there.

7.    The filing of a trademark

A thorough investigation for trademarks and other intellectual property rights on the proposed name must be done by the candidate for registering a company in Australia. If any names are in dispute, the applicant cannot use those names.

8.    Organizational registration

The applicant would need to register the business as the concluding stage. Either an offline approach or an online method can be used to register a firm. The applicant will offer the ACN once the company application has been received and reviewed. This would be used to request an ABN. The company name would be added to the official registry, and the applicant would receive a copy of the certificate of incorporation. The business is also given access to its corporate key, which will be utilized to create an online account for updating details.

The benefit of Registring a company in Australia

1.    Registration cost

The government fee for registering a business in Australia is $39 for a one-year registration period and $92 for a three-year registration period as of May 28, 2012. A similar "thing" is the registering of an Australian business, which typically costs between $650 and $750 through a "shelf company supplier" or "company formation agent" and between $1200 and $1500 through such an accountant. 

Therefore, there is no doubt that registering a business alone is less expensive than creating a company. However, the requirement to establish the title as a company will be eliminated if a corporation or company name is registered.

2.    Scope of limited liability

Additionally, you will reduce your obligation if you sell a product that is faulty or make a mistake. This type of company operation might be perilous because it jeopardizes your assets. A company, on the other hand, is a distinct legal entity that enables you to effortlessly protect your assets from your commercial operations. You won't be personally liable for the company's debts, which will free you up to concentrate on expanding your firm.

An organized company's primary (and enduringly conventional and historical) benefit is that it has restricted liability. That is, broadly speaking, a company may only be required to pay creditors up to the number of its assets and capital, plus any outstanding debts on its shares, which are typically zero because most companies only issue shares that are fully paid for at the time of issuance and for a small amount like $1.00.

3.    Minimized tax liability

Based on how much money your firm makes, you can reduce your taxes using a corporate structure. Australian tax rates for corporations and small businesses are currently cheaper than those for individuals. As a single owner, you are subject to individual taxation, and any business gains are counted as part of your income. Additionally, your business will be qualified for several tax incentives for marketing, education, and training, as well as upkeep and repairs.

4.    Enticing capital or investment

Companies might find it simpler to raise money than, say, a partnership.   Due to the firm's limited liability, shareholders can be sure that they won't be required by law to make additional contributions to the company (i.e., beyond what they already paid or have committed to pay for their shares). Instead, if such passive investors contributed equity funds to a business that was being run as a partnership and became a "silent partner" of the partnership, those who would likely be fully exposed to and responsible for the partnership's debts. This is crucial in a situation where the partnership/business runs into financial trouble.

5.    The shift of control and ownership

Companies limited by shares benefit from the ease of a potential sale just because the business has shared. since it's possible to sell corporate shares. Additionally, share capital makes it easier to attract additional participants

A corporation form also makes it easier to make any required adjustments to how the firm is run daily.

Conclusion

One of the finest methods to expand your company and guarantee its success is by forming a corporation. Although you won't be held responsible, lower tax rates will let you concentrate on building your company into the successful endeavor you want it to be.

eStartIndia will help you Register a Company in Australia from the comfort of your home.

Author:

Archita Sharma
Kanpur
Archita Sharma, IV year BA.LLB (Hons.) student from PSIT College of Law


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