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Australian citizens can hold a Singapore company outright and can enter Singapore without a visa for business. The Singapore side needs a registered corporate service provider (CSP) to file and a director who lives in Singapore. ACRA's fees are S$15 plus S$300. The two countries also share a full tax treaty that includes an arbitration clause. Checked . This site is an independent guide, not ACRA, IRAS, the ATO or a provider, and the form below passes your enquiry to suitable providers.
What applies to an Australian founder?
| Area | Australian position | Official body |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | No visa for business or social visits | Singapore High Commission, Canberra |
| Treaty | Full DTA, in force, MLI-modified, arbitration | IRAS |
| Income reporting | Foreign income declared in the Australian return | ATO |
| Filing | Registered CSP plus a resident director | ACRA |
| Documents | Apostille route open to both countries | HCCH |
Is there a tax treaty between Australia and Singapore?
Yes. On the IRAS list, Australia has a full DTA that is in force and modified by the Multilateral Instrument. It is one of the few entries that also contain an arbitration provision, which means a dispute between the tax authorities can go to a defined process. IRAS does not show rates on the list, so we do not state any. Pull up the treaty PDF from IRAS and have your Australian adviser read the articles on dividends and business profits. For Singapore's own rules see corporate tax in Singapore.
Do Australians need a visa for Singapore?
No. The Singapore High Commission in Canberra says Australian passport holders do not require a visa for business or social visits. It says the stay is decided at entry and shown on the visit pass, not tied to a visa. The same page lists the usual conditions: a passport valid for at least six months, enough funds, a completed arrival card and a confirmed onward ticket. ICA adds that the SG Arrival Card must be submitted within 3 days before arrival.
A visit is not employment. If you plan to work in the company, apply for a pass. Employment Pass sets the floor at S$5,600 a month for the youngest age band on new applications now, rising to S$6,000 from 1 January, with S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue.
What does the ATO expect?
The ATO says Australian tax residents declare foreign income they earn anywhere in the world on their Australian tax return. That is the rule we can cite. How the profits of a company you own in Singapore are brought into your return depends on how much you hold and how you are paid, and the ATO has separate guidance for foreign companies you control. Do not guess. Ask an Australian adviser before you decide between salary and dividends.
Who sits on the Singapore board?
ACRA requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore and aged 18 or older. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and certain pass holders qualify. An Australian founder without a pass has two options: a local partner, or a nominee director from a provider, with the declaration described in nominee director in Singapore. A company secretary must be appointed within six months of registration, see corporate secretary in Singapore.
Do Australian documents need certifying?
ACRA does not set a certification rule for foreigners, so a provider may ask only for clear passport and address copies. When certified copies are asked for, Australia has applied the Apostille Convention since and Singapore since . An apostille is the standard route between two parties. We found no ACRA instruction making it mandatory.
What are the steps?
- Pick a CSP and share the proposed name, activity and shareholder details.
- The CSP reserves the name (S$15) and files the registration (S$300).
- Supply passport and address proof for each officer.
- ACRA approves most filings soon after payment, and complex ones within 15 working days.
- Collect the UEN, then open the bank account.
Time zones help here. Canberra and Melbourne sit two to three hours ahead of Singapore, so calls with a provider fit a normal working day, and a provider can collect scanned documents by email. We give no turnaround time because providers set their own.
Bank notes specific to Australian passport holders are not published by ACRA or MAS, so we leave them out. For the full process see set up a company in Singapore.
Want help? Use the quote form and say you are applying from Australia.
Sources
- IRAS: list of DTAs, limited DTAs and EOI arrangements: Australia treaty status.
- Singapore High Commission, Canberra: visa information: visa-free rule and conditions.
- ICA: visa guidelines: arrival card timing.
- ATO: foreign and temporary resident income: declaring foreign income.
- ACRA: foreigners registering a business: CSP and resident rules.
- ACRA: service and transaction fees: fees.
- HCCH: Apostille status table: Australia date.
- MinLaw: Apostille Convention in force for Singapore: Singapore date.
- MOM: Employment Pass eligibility: salary floor and fees.
