Registering an Australian Company from the UK: Legal Steps & Costs for 2025

The Australian market presents an exciting opportunity for ambitious UK entrepreneurs. Thanks to the strong UK-Australia trade relationship, setting up operations down under is more accessible than ever. However, navigating the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) requirements from abroad can feel complex.

This detailed guide provides the essential legal steps and costs for the UK entrepreneur Australia company setup in 2025, ensuring your venture starts off on solid legal ground.

1. The Critical Legal Requirements for UK Investors

For a UK register company in Australia, understanding the specific director and address requirements is essential. Choosing the Proprietary Limited (Pty Ltd) structure is almost always the best choice, as it limits liability and is the standard for Australian businesses.

The Residency Hurdle: Your Australian Director

The single most important difference for a foreign setup is the director requirement. Under the Corporations Act, a standard proprietary company (Pty Ltd) must have:

1. At least one director who ordinarily resides in Australia.
2. At least one Australian company secretary (though not legally mandatory for a proprietary company, it’s highly recommended).

If you, as a UK entrepreneur Australia company setup, do not plan to relocate immediately, you must appoint a resident director. This individual is legally responsible for ensuring the company complies with all Australian laws. Finding a trusted and professional service provider to fulfil this Australian Residential Director Services role is often the most practical solution.

The Australian Registered Office

Your company must also have:

• A Registered Office Address in Australia. This must be a physical street address, not a P.O. Box. Official ASIC and legal documents will be served here.
• A Principal Place of Business address in Australia (if different from the registered office).

Director Identification Number (DIN)

Every director must apply for a unique Director Identification Number (DIN) through the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) before being appointed. This is a mandatory, one-time requirement designed to track directors across different companies.

2. The Step-by-Step Registration Process

Once the legal groundwork (appointing a resident director and securing an Australian address) is complete, the registration itself is straightforward:

1. Reserve/Confirm Company Name: Choose a name that complies with ASIC rules. If a name is not chosen, the company’s nine-digit Australian Company Number (ACN) will be used as the name.
2. Gather Consents: Obtain written consent from all proposed directors, secretaries, and shareholders.
3. Lodge Application: The company registration is lodged through the Australian Government’s Business Registration Service (BRS). This process effectively submits Form 201 to ASIC.
4. Receive ACN & Certificate: Once registered (typically within 1–2 business days online), you will receive your ACN and Certificate of Registration.
5. Tax Registration: Immediately apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a Tax File Number (TFN), which are free. You must also register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) if your projected annual turnover exceeds AUD $75,000.

3. Costs and Budgeting for Your 2025 Australian Launch

When transitioning from the UK, your budget needs to cover government fees, compliance services, and crucial local support.

The most significant costs for Australia company registration UK are often the professional fees required to meet the local residency and office mandates.

Breakdown of Key Setup & Ongoing Costs (2025 Estimates)

Note: All currency conversions are approximate and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

To set up a small UK-owned Pty Ltd company and ensure full compliance in the first year, UK entrepreneurs should budget an estimated minimum of AU$5,000 to $7,000 (£2,600 to £3,700), excluding staff and large-scale marketing costs. This investment covers the registration, essential professional guidance, and the necessary local compliance services.

Conclusion

Expanding into Australia is an excellent strategic move for UK businesses. While the legal requirement for an Australian resident director and registered office may initially seem daunting, partnering with an expert service provider like International Commercial Services (ICS) simplifies the entire journey.

We specialise in guiding UK entrepreneur Australia company setup, ensuring you meet all ASIC obligations efficiently. By entrusting us with your Australia company registration UK, you can fast-track your launch and focus purely on establishing and growing your business. 

Contact us today to discuss your specific requirements and learn how we can simplify your expansion into the Australian market.