An overseas business can start selling in Australia in several ways, from shipping to customers directly, to working through a local partner, to setting up a presence on the ground. Which route fits depends on your product, your people and how much risk you want to carry. This guide sets out a sensible order of questions and points you to the official sources, because rules on visas, tax and registration change and must be checked at the source.
Step 1: Decide how you will enter
Before paperwork, settle the model. Our overview of market entry modes compares exporting, licensing, partnering and investing. A common progression is to sell online first, learn what Australian customers respond to, and add local presence once demand is proven. If you are still weighing whether Australia is the right first market, start with how to choose an export market.
Step 2: Know what applies to a person who will run the business here
If someone from your team will move to Australia to run a business, immigration rules apply. The business.gov.au page for foreigners starting a business in Australia states that non-citizens and non-permanent residents need a visa that lets them run a business, that the Department of Home Affairs issues visas, and it suggests using a registered migration agent.
The same page does not cover foreign investment approval, company registration or ABN rules, so treat those as separate checks. If your plans involve buying property, a business or a significant stake, take professional advice on whether foreign investment rules apply.
Step 3: Work out registrations, licences, tax and laws
The same business.gov.au page points to a set of tools that apply to anyone starting out:
- Registrations tool: identifies which registrations your business needs.
- ABLIS (Australian Business Licence and Information Service): lists licences, permits and approvals your business may need.
- Tax information: shows which taxes may apply.
- Legal essentials: covers the main laws businesses must follow.
If you plan to import goods, business.gov.au also has an importing overview that links to guidance on importing for commercial purposes and on free trade agreements. Tax and customs outcomes depend on your situation, so confirm them with the relevant agencies or an Australian-registered adviser.
Step 4: Plan for consumer law from day one
If you sell to Australian consumers, you must follow Australian rules even if you are based elsewhere. The ACCC’s consumer guarantees page states that overseas businesses selling directly to Australian consumers must follow the Australian Consumer Law, though enforcement can be difficult in practice. The guarantees cover matters such as acceptable quality, matching the description and fitness for a stated purpose, with remedies including repair, replacement, refund or compensation. Our companion article on contracts and IP basics for small exporters covers the wider legal picture.
A practical starting checklist
- Write down your entry model and the evidence that Australian demand exists.
- Check visa needs for anyone relocating.
- Use the business.gov.au registrations tool and ABLIS to list what you need.
- Check tax obligations with the official agencies or an adviser.
- Review your refund, warranty and complaints policies against the consumer guarantees.
- Localise product pages, pricing display and support hours for Australian customers.
- Choose a small, measurable first step before committing to premises or hires.
Limits of this guide
This is general information, not legal, tax or migration advice. We have deliberately not stated thresholds or fees, because they change and depend on your structure. Where the official pages we checked did not cover a question, we have said so rather than guess.
Where Radiance Impact fits
Radiance Impact is a Brisbane-based studio, and its Global division supports Australian market entry for overseas businesses, including localisation and content adaptation. See market entry support or the wider Global page, or contact us to talk through your plans.
Sources
- Start a business in Australia as a foreigner, business.gov.au
- Importing, business.gov.au
- Consumer guarantees, ACCC
