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Invest in Australia
A short guide for companies expanding into Australia: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Australia at a glance
Population
27.6 million
Population was 27,614,411 in 2025, per the World Bank.
Source: World Bank WDI, Australia population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$1.8 trillion
GDP was US$1,798,518,933,689.21 in 2025, the fiscal year ending June 2025, in current dollars, per the World Bank.
Source: World Bank WDI, Australia GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025 (fiscal year ending June 2025)
GDP per person
US$65,130
GDP per person was US$65,129.7 in 2025, the fiscal year ending June 2025, in current dollars, per the World Bank.
Source: World Bank WDI, Australia GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025 (fiscal year ending June 2025)
Real GDP growth
1.4%
Real GDP grew 1.4 percent in 2025, the fiscal year ending June 2025, per the World Bank.
Source: World Bank WDI, Australia real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025 (fiscal year ending June 2025)
Inflation
4.3%
Consumer prices rose 4.3 percent in the 12 months to September 2026, per the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Source: ABS, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$35.3 billion
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$35,252.623 million in 2025, in UNCTADstat data.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment flows, Australia (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).
Source: World Bank WDI, Australia country metadata (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
Austrade promotes inward investment at federal level, alongside state and territory governments, and advises investors and connects them with contacts.
Source: Austrade, international investors and buyers (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Foreign investment proposals are lodged on Treasury's Foreign Investment Portal, separately from Austrade's investor services; no single one-stop shop is described.
Source: Treasury, where to submit a foreign investment proposal (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Treasury's guidance names laws that cap foreign ownership: 49 percent of international airlines and some airports, 35 percent of Telstra, and a majority-Australian rule for registered ships.
Source: Treasury, foreign investment Guidance Note 2, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 12, 2025
As of 2025, per the WTO Trade Policy Review, Australia does not have any free zones or ports.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Australia, Secretariat report, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 15, 2025
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Australia
- Check whether the proposal needs notification, then lodge it on the Foreign Investment Portal and pay the fee.Foreign Investment Review Board (Treasury)Fees from A$4,600 in 2026-27, set by valueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Treasury, foreign investment schedule of fees, 2026-27 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
- Register a foreign company that carries on business in Australia with ASIC, or set up an Australian company.Australian Securities and Investments CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ASIC, register a foreign company, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 2, 2026
- Register for an Australian Business Number, and then for GST and other tax registrations that apply.Australian Taxation Office (Australian Business Register)Free of charge; decision shown on completing the applicationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: business.gov.au, register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Use the business license finder to list the licenses, council approvals and compliance rules that apply to the business.business.gov.auOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: business.gov.au, business license finder (ABLIS) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- Check visa options for foreign staff, such as the Skills in Demand visa, which lets an employer sponsor a skilled worker.Department of Home AffairsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 27, 2026
- Before buying land, check the land rules; established dwellings are generally barred to foreign investors until June 30, 2029.Foreign Investment Review Board (Treasury)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Treasury, residential land guidance, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
- After an approved acquisition, report registrable actions to the Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets.Foreign Investment Review Board (Treasury)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Treasury, foreign investment Guidance Note 2, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 12, 2025
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with ABF. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Meet requirements
Foreign investment screening board
FIRB
Foreign Investment Review Board
Advises the Treasurer on foreign investment proposals; Treasury's Foreign Investment Division runs the portal where investors lodge them.
Visit FIRB (opens in a new tab)Source: Treasury, Foreign Investment Review Board (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Corporate regulator and registry
ASIC
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Registers companies and foreign companies that carry on business in Australia, and issues Australian Registered Body Numbers.
Visit ASIC (opens in a new tab)Source: ASIC, register a foreign company, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 2, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Immigration and visa department
Home Affairs
Department of Home Affairs
Runs the Skills in Demand visa and other work and business visas that foreign staff may need.
Visit Home Affairs (opens in a new tab)Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 27, 2026
Business information service
business.gov.au
Explains how to register a business and finds licenses, and hosts pages for the Tradex Scheme and the R&D Tax Incentive.
Visit business.gov.au (opens in a new tab)Source: business.gov.au, exporting and your business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs and border authority
ABF
Australian Border Force
Takes export declarations through the Integrated Cargo System, runs the duty drawback scheme and publishes the list of free trade agreements.
Visit ABF (opens in a new tab)Source: Australian Border Force, export declaration, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 20, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax and registration authority
ATO
Australian Taxation Office
Manages the Australian Business Register that issues Australian Business Numbers, according to business.gov.au.
Visit ATO (opens in a new tab)Source: business.gov.au, register for an Australian Business Number (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Industry association
Ai Group
Australian Industry Group
Issues preferential and non-preferential certificates of origin for Australian exporters as an authorized body, and runs export documentation services.
Visit Ai Group (opens in a new tab)Source: Australian Industry Group, certificates of origin (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Peak exporters' body
ECA
Export Council of Australia
Represents exporters of goods and services as a membership-based body, and works with government agencies such as Austrade.
Visit ECA (opens in a new tab)Source: Export Council of Australia, organization overview (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
ACCI
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Represents Australian businesses to government through its member chambers and industry associations.
Visit ACCI (opens in a new tab)Source: ACCI, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Interest rates and inflation
The Reserve Bank raised its cash rate target to 4.60 percent on September 29, 2026, citing higher energy prices and inflation; the ABS reports 4.3 percent annual inflation for September.
What to do: Check borrowing costs and price adjustment terms before you fix long contracts.
Sources: Reserve Bank of Australia, monetary policy decision, September 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab); ABS, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
European Union trade agreement
The European Commission says the European Union and Australia concluded free trade negotiations in March 2026, and the agreement is not yet in force.
What to do: Check the agreement's entry into force before you set prices around lower European Union tariffs.
Source: European Commission, trade agreement with Australia (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Reserved sectors
Treasury's guidance names laws that cap foreign ownership: 49 percent for international airlines and some airports, 35 percent for Telstra, and a majority-Australian rule for registered ships.
What to do: Check the sector law and Treasury guidance before you set a stake near a cap.
Source: Treasury, foreign investment Guidance Note 2, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Foreign investment screening
Treasury sets a zero dollar threshold for national security businesses, media businesses, residential land and foreign government investors, and can call in unnotified investments on national security grounds.
What to do: Check whether your proposal needs notification before you sign a binding agreement.
Sources: Treasury, foreign investment monetary thresholds, January 2026 (opens in a new tab); Treasury, foreign investment national security guidance, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more
Fees and processing time
Treasury's 30-day decision period starts once the correct fee is paid; from January 1, 2027, Treasury's target is to decide low-risk applications within 30 days.
What to do: Confirm the current fee schedule and lodge early.
Sources: Treasury, foreign investment fees page, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Treasury, foreign investment reforms announcement, May 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Residential property rules
Treasury says foreign investors are generally banned from buying established dwellings from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029, with limited exceptions.
What to do: Check the exceptions in Treasury's residential land guidance before you agree to buy any home.
Sources: Treasury, residential land guidance, July 2026 (opens in a new tab); Treasury, foreign investment in residential real estate (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Australia with other countriesSet Australia beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Australia is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.