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For businesses looking to expand into new markets, Australia is a great place to invest. Known for its political stability, robust economy, and vibrant multicultural society, Australia offers a highly skilled workforce and supportive government policies to enable foreign investment.

Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state has experienced steady growth over the last ten years and is forecast to grow by 2.6%, exceeding other Australian states and territories. Melbourne, the state’s capital, is now the most populated city in Australia. As part of its growth story, the Victorian Government has an ongoing commitment to encouraging inbound investment. Jack Delmo, Chief Executive Officer, McLean Delmo Bentleys discusses why Australia, and particularly Victoria is a great place to do business and what businesses need to consider when establishing operations.

Government Support for Inbound Investment

The Australian Government actively encourages foreign investment through various initiatives. Austrade, the government’s trade and investment arm, provides comprehensive support to international investors, including market insights, networking opportunities, and assistance in navigating regulatory frameworks. Additionally, state-level bodies such as Invest Victoria offer tailored support for businesses setting up operations in the region.

“Australia offers an unparalleled combination of business stability, talent availability, and market access,” comments Jack Delmo, “With the government’s investor-friendly policies and Victoria’s innovation-driven economy, businesses have an excellent platform for growth.”

Setting Up a Business in Australia: Key Considerations

While Australia offers a wealth of opportunities, establishing a business requires careful planning and compliance with local regulations. Following are the critical steps and considerations for businesses looking to expand into the Australian market.

Choose the Right Business Structure

Selecting the appropriate legal structure for your Australian operations is crucial, as it will impact taxation, regulatory obligations, and overall flexibility. A foreign company setting up in Australia for the first time may do so in one of three ways:

• Representative office – where there is no direct business operations in Australia, but the foreign company wishes to provide some support to its Australian customers.

• Branch – where a company intends operating a business in Australia, but the foreign company does not wish to establish a separate legal structure to operate through.

• Subsidiary – where a company intends operating a business in Australia, and a foreign company does wish to establish a separate legal entity to operate through.

Consulting a professional advisor can help determine the most suitable structure based on your business goals and work through the many considerations including Australian taxation issues, repatriation of profits to the country of origin, Corporations Act and financial reporting obligations, long and short-term business strategy, management independence, etc.

Company Secretarial Matters

Compliance with corporate governance requirements is essential. Businesses must appoint a local resident director and ensure ongoing compliance with Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulations, including the timely filing of annual returns and financial statements.

“Effective company secretarial services are key to maintaining good standing with regulators,” advises Jack Delmo, “Non-compliance can lead to penalties, additional administrative burdens and reputational risks.”

Taxation Compliance and Considerations for Non-Residents

Australia has a well-developed tax system, and understanding its nuances is critical for foreign investors. Key tax considerations include:

• Corporate Tax Rate: The standard corporate tax rate is 30%, but a lower rate of 25% applies to businesses with an aggregated turnover below AUD 50 million.

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): A 10% GST applies to most goods and services. GST may need to be charged on invoices, but can also be claimed on various expenses paid.

• Withholding Tax: Withholding tax can apply to dividend, interest and royalty payments to foreign entities. Rates can differ depending on various factors, including the existence of a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with certain foreign country. We note that the United Arab Emirates doesn’t not have a DTA with Australia.

• Transfer Pricing: Transactions between related parties must comply with Australia’s transfer pricing rules, ensuring that they are conducted at arm’s length.

• Employment Taxes: Consideration needs to be given to legalities if you are employing directly in Australia. These include employment laws, employment withholding requirements, Workcover insurances and superannuation.

• Thin Capitalisation Rules: These rules are designed to ensure investment in Australia is adequately capitalised. This can apply to limit deductions in specific scenarios, however a de-minimis threshold of $2m applies to the debt deduction.

• General Anti-Avoidance Rules: Can be applied to deny tax benefits where certain conditions are met. These rules are primarily focused on arrangements that have entered into with a dominant purpose to obtain a tax benefit.

Managing an international structure and mitigating the incidence of tax leakage can be a complex and highly customised exercise which involves consideration of strategic, commercial and tax variables and having regard to several limitations imposed by integrity features of the Australian tax law. Professional advice on tax structuring and compliance can help businesses optimise their tax position and avoid pitfalls.

Accounting Services

Accurate and transparent financial reporting is crucial for maintaining investor confidence and meeting regulatory requirements. Engaging local accounting professionals ensures compliance with Australian Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

“Leveraging local expertise in accounting and financial reporting helps businesses stay compliant while focusing on their core operations,” commented Jack Delmo.

With its vibrant economy, strategic location, and supportive business environment, Australia offers immense opportunities for businesses looking to expand into new markets. By understanding the key steps involved in setting up operations and leveraging professional services, companies can unlock the full potential of this market.

“Investing in Australia is a strategic move for businesses aiming to expand their global footprint,” says Jack Delmo. “With the right guidance and resources, businesses can thrive and contribute to Australia’s economic landscape.”

Whether you are a seasoned multinational or a burgeoning enterprise, Australia welcomes you with a wealth of opportunities.

Over the last 50 years, the United Arab Emirates and France have built a remarkably strong and multifaceted partnership, and we are now looking at the future.

The bilateral relationship is booming in all fields including defense, culture, education, space, artificial intelligence, energy and environment. Bilateral trade between France and the UAE reached 8.5 billion euros in 2024, marking a significant 15% increase from the previous year. This upward trajectory highlights the strengthening economic ties and the growing role of both countries in each other’s economic landscapes. The UAE stands as France’s largest partner in the Near and Middle East, accounting for 42.3% of French exports to the region. On the other hand, it is France’s second-largest supplier, representing 16% of French imports from the region. Furthermore, France remains a prime destination for Emirati investment, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reaching 2,3 billion euros in 2023. A notable testimony of this momentum is the long-standing and fruitful partnership between Mubadala and Bpifrance, the French public investment bank. This collaboration continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating joint ventures and driving cross-border investments, further deepening the ties between our two nations.

A strong French companies’ presence in the UAE

French companies have played a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s development for decades, with some partnerships dating back over 50 years. Over time, France has become a key partner in a variety of sectors. From energy major players that have helped build critical infrastructure and support the country’s sustainability goals, to their involvement in the creation of the Dubai metro and tramway, and to luxury and tourism brands that have shaped the UAE’s global image as a premier destination, France’s presence is both strategic and long-standing. Today, more than 600 French subsidiaries operate across the Emirates, employing around 30,000 people—making it the largest French business presence in the Middle East, ranging from industry giants to SMEs and startups.

In a landmark reform aimed at enhancing the business ecosystem and reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global investment hub, Dubai Executive Council has passed a resolution permitting Free Zone companies to do business in the Dubai mainland. This change has the potential to open new markets, bring in new business synergies and facilitate more foreign direct investment into the Emirate.

Let us do a deep dive into what the new resolution entails and how it could benefit businesses.

The Resolution No. (11) of 2025: A definite Step Forward

Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 permitting Dubai Free Zone entities to expand their business activities to mainland Dubai through the issuance of onshore licenses and activity permits.

The companies registered in Free Zones were restricted from engaging in commercial activities in the mainland which many considered to be regulatory and financial divide that restrained businesses in an increasingly interconnected environment.

The new resolution aims to bridge that gap. Free Zone companies can now engage with the mainland market directly, subject to compliance with Dubai’s regulatory framework, licensing requirements, and sector-specific approvals. This initiative complements with D33 Agenda – the economic vision of Dubai which aims to double the size of economy, which will position Dubai as one of the three global cities for business and innovation.

The Mechanism

Free Zone entities who are looking to take advantage of the new resolution which will be integrating Free Zones and Mainland, may apply for one of the three new types of licenses/permits:

Financial services at the heart

The UAE-UK financial relationship is built on deep historical foundations pre-dating the UAE’s Union in 1971. British banks were among the first international financial institutions to establish operations in the UAE, creating a foundation for cross-border banking relationships that continue today. Investment quickly started to flow in both directions. The financial centres of Abu Dhabi Global Market and Dubai International Financial Centre were built on a UK model, with English Common Law at their core.

Earlier in May, the Lord Mayor of London visited the UAE with a delegation which included representatives from Howden, Aberdeen, KPMG and Guavapay, a global fintech company.  Capital markets and professional services continue to provide a promising area for UK-UAE financial cooperation, with the London Stock Exchange positioned to attract more landmark UAE listings beyond Masdar’s green bonds and ADQ’s multi-billion-dollar offerings. The UAE’s introduction of corporate tax and evolving sustainability requirements increases demand for specialised UK accounting expertise, particularly in ESG reporting and AI-powered financial management. 

Both the UK and UAE are leaders in the fintech revolution with British innovators like Smart, Checkout.com, and Wise engaged in modernising banking solutions throughout the Emirates, with the UK’s fintech expertise complementing the UAE’s digital transformation agenda.