Set up a company in Australia

Your Gateway to Australia. Strategic Growth Made Simple.

Are you a UK business owner looking to expand your operations, diversify your portfolio, or create a distinct legal entity within Australia? Setting up a company in Australia provides both commercial and legal strategic advantages.

At International Commercial Services, we provide personalised, end-to-end support—from structuring to post-registration—helping you expand quickly and confidently with a partner who understands both UK and Australian markets.

Why Set Up a Company in Australia?

Australia ranks among the world’s most business-friendly destinations—offering a strong regulatory framework, economic stability, and direct access to the Asia–Pacific market.

For UK companies, choosing to set up a company in Australia provides long-term operational and financial advantages, including:

Local legal identity, independent from the UK parent

Access to domestic contracts, government projects, and banking

Streamlined tax planning across jurisdictions

Enhanced brand credibility and IP safeguarding

A launchpad into Asia-Pacific and beyond

Overlooking setup or compliance requirements can result in ASIC penalties, deregistration, or director liability.

Who We Work With

ICS supports a diverse group of UK businesses, including:

We simplify the journey, remove red tape, and help you make informed decisions at every step

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Our Advisory and Establishment Services Include:

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Strategic Advisory & Entity Structuring

Company Formation & Legal Setup

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Operational & Banking Support

A young female financial advisor and a senior male client are reviewing documents and a computer screen in an office. The advisor points to a paper document while the computer monitor displays a JOURNAL REPORT.

Post-Incorporation Management

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Ongoing Compliance & Advisory

Your Local Ally in Australian Expansion

International expansion is a big step. At ICS, we act as your on-the-ground ally—aligning the Australian entity with your overall business structure, tax goals, and strategic vision.

We coordinate directly with your UK legal, accounting, or finance teams for a unified approach. Our Australian partner network includes:

With ICS, you benefit from seamless integration and robust local expertise.

Who We Help

Our services are built for:

UK companies entering the Australian market

SMEs aiming for a permanent local footprint

Startup expansion from the UK to Australia

Scale-ups entering Asia-Pacific via Australia

Why Choose International Commercial Services?

Expertise in UK–Australia expansions

End-to-end advisory and implementation

Fixed-fee pricing with no surprises

Compliance management from day one

Fully localised support with global insight

Frequently Asked Questions (For UK Business Owners)

An Australian subsidiary provides separate legal standing, shielding the UK parent from local liabilities, building trust in the market, and giving the Australian entity more control to respond to local demands.

An Australian proprietary company (the most common type of subsidiary) must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia.

Generally, no, but certain sensitive sectors or large investments may require approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). We can advise on specific FIRB requirements relevant to your industry.

You can expect the process, from ASIC registration to securing all required identifiers, to typically last 4-6 weeks. This timeframe can vary depending on the completeness of information provided and any FIRB requirements.

Establishing an Australian subsidiary creates a separate tax entity in Australia. Your UK company’s tax obligations remain largely unchanged for its UK-source income, but the Australian subsidiary will be subject to Australian corporate tax laws. We recommend seeking specific tax advice.

Your Australian subsidiary must meet ongoing ASIC compliance requirements such as filing annual statements and maintaining company registers. It will also have tax obligations with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Yes, you can transfer employees, but they should comply with Australian visa and employment laws. We can provide initial guidance or refer you to specialists in this area.

Should your UK business decide to cease Australian operations, your subsidiary can be wound up or deregistered according to Australian corporate law. We can assist with the formal processes required by ASIC and other authorities to ensure a smooth and compliant exit if your strategic direction changes.

Begin Your Australian Expansion Today

Australia is a gateway to growth—and ICS is your key to entering it with confidence. We’ll handle all legal, operational, and compliance details so you can focus on growing your business.

Contact ICS today to start your Australian subsidiary journey

Address

Level 11 / 139 Macquarie St, Sydney 2000 NSW.

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