Regulatory and compliance requirements for entering Australia
ASIC registration, an ABN and TFN, GST above the AUD 75,000 threshold, Fair Work obligations, and sector regulators like TGA, ACMA, APRA or FSANZ.
Overview
Australia is a highly regulated market with predictable, well-documented compliance requirements. Missing them is expensive; planning for them is not.
Entity, tax and identifiers
Register a Pty Ltd with ASIC (about AUD 600 setup, AUD 320 annual review fee). Apply for an ABN and TFN through the ATO. Register for GST once turnover reaches AUD 75,000 — GST is 10% and applies to almost all goods and services. If you'll import, register for a Customs client identifier and consider a licensed customs broker.
Employment
Employers must comply with the Fair Work Act, the National Employment Standards, and the relevant Modern Award. Superannuation is 11.5% in 2025–26 (rising to 12% from 1 July 2025), and payroll tax kicks in per state above thresholds ranging from AUD 900k to AUD 1.5m annual wages. Workers compensation insurance is mandatory and priced per state and industry.
Foreign investment
Foreign investment above FIRB thresholds requires prior Treasury approval. Thresholds vary by investor type and asset class — currently AUD 339m for private investors in non-sensitive sectors, dropping to zero for media, telecoms, defence and critical infrastructure.
Sector regulators
Medical devices and therapeutics go through the TGA. Financial services and insurance sit under APRA and ASIC. Radio, telco and broadcasting under ACMA. Food standards under FSANZ. Radiation and nuclear under ARPANSA. Any of these will add 6–18 months to your entry timeline, so start early.
Privacy and consumer law
The Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Consumer Law apply from the first customer. The ACL's non-excludable consumer guarantees cannot be contracted out of, so review your standard terms with an Australian lawyer before launch.
Generate a compliance-aware market entry plan that flags the regulators relevant to your sector.
Related Guides
Localising your product, pricing and marketing for Australian buyers
Price in AUD inclusive of GST, switch to Australian English and local proof points, and rebuild your channel mix around LinkedIn, Google and industry associations rather than the channels that work at home.
How to choose the right market entry strategy for Australia
Exporting, licensing, a local subsidiary, a joint venture or an acquisition each carry different capital, control and speed trade-offs when entering Australia. This guide walks through when each makes sense.
How to decide whether Australia or New Zealand is your first ANZ market
Australia is roughly five times the GDP of New Zealand, but NZ is often faster, cheaper and more forgiving as a proving ground before an east-coast Australian launch.