Business & Startup Migration to Australia
How to Start a Business in Australia as a Foreign Founder
Australia attracts founders seeking a stable, English-speaking, OECD economy with strong enterprise demand and access to Asia-Pacific markets.
If you are considering starting or expanding a business in Australia as a foreign founder, there is one essential principle to understand:
You can register a company in Australia as a foreigner — but your immigration status determines whether you can live in Australia and actively work in that business.
This page explains:
Whether foreigners can open a business in Australia
What visa pathways may apply to founders
Whether “self-sponsorship” is possible
How innovation and expansion pathways differ
What to consider before relocating
Can a Foreigner Start and Operate a Business in Australia?
Yes. A foreign national can register a company in Australia and hold shares in that company. There is no requirement to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to own an Australian business.
However, ownership and work rights are two different matters.
You may legally own shares in an Australian company without holding an Australian visa. But if you intend to:
Live in Australia
Act as a director managing day-to-day operations
Perform executive duties
Receive a salary for your role
you must hold a visa that allows you to work in Australia.
In other words, company registration does not automatically grant permission to operate the business from within Australia.
Permanent residency is not required at the outset. Many founders establish or expand their business in Australia on temporary visa pathways. The key is ensuring that your visa aligns with the role you will perform in the company.
Before relocating, it is important to assess both your ownership structure and your intended operational involvement. Clear planning at this stage helps avoid complications later.
What Visa Options Are Available for Startup Founders?
Australia does not offer a simple “startup visa.” Instead, founders typically qualify under structured migration pathways based on their track record, role, and the substance of the business.
The two most relevant options for overseas founders are outlined below.
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
The National Innovation Visa (NIV) is a permanent residency pathway for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional, internationally recognised achievement.
For startup founders, this pathway may be appropriate if you can show:
A strong commercial track record
Venture-backed or high-growth experience
Recognised innovation impact
Intellectual property development
Industry awards or global recognition
Leadership in scaling products or technologies beyond a single market
The NIV offers permanent residency from the outset, providing long-term stability for you and your family. This level of certainty can strengthen investor confidence, support board governance planning, and provide flexibility when expanding operations in Australia.
However, the evidentiary threshold is high. Applications require a carefully prepared body of documentation demonstrating sustained achievement and contribution at a national or international level. Independent recognition, credible referees, media coverage, funding history, patents, commercial metrics, and industry endorsements often form part of the assessment.
The National Innovation Visa is designed for founders who are already recognised internationally for their achievements and who now seek to expand their impact by establishing or growing their presence in Australia.
(For detailed eligibility criteria, nomination requirements, and evidence guidance, see our dedicated National Innovation Visa page.)
Founder & Executive Sponsorship Pathways
In some circumstances, a founder may be sponsored by an Australian company under an employer-sponsored visa framework. This may be possible where:
The Australian entity is properly established, operating, and the business demonstrates genuine commercial activity
The founder is performing a clearly defined executive, managerial, or specialist role
Salary and sponsorship compliance requirements are met
While often described as “self-sponsorship,” the arrangement must meet the same regulatory standards as any other employer sponsorship. Immigration authorities assess substance over structure — including whether the position is genuine and whether the business can realistically sustain the role.
In practice, this pathway is more viable where the business can demonstrate a clear benefit to the Australian economy or community, such as:
Technology startups with verified investor funding
Businesses creating skilled employment in Australia
Ventures operating in priority or innovation-driven sectors
Early-stage startups without funding, operational activity, or demonstrable market engagement may find this pathway difficult.
Careful planning is essential.
For a detailed explanation of structuring requirements, evidentiary considerations, and compliance obligations, see our dedicated Founder & Executive Sponsorship Pathways page.
Is Australia a Good Market for Tech and AI Startups?
Industrial Technology
Solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety are highly valued.
Energy Transition
Technologies supporting sustainable energy solutions are in increasing demand.
Cybersecurity
With growing digital threats, robust cybersecurity solutions are essential.
Founder Insight: Startup Culture in Australia
To explore how Australia’s startup culture is evolving — including funding trends, AI growth, and what foreign founders should understand before relocating — watch our conversation with ecosystem leader Paul Scott.
Strategic Planning Before You Relocate
Relocating to Australia as a founder is not simply a visa decision. It is a strategic business move that should align with your company’s structure, capital strategy, and long-term objectives.
Immigration planning must be coordinated with:
Corporate structure – Whether you operate through an Australian subsidiary, a standalone entity, or an overseas parent affects sponsorship options, governance, and compliance.
Shareholding arrangements – Founder ownership, investor equity, and board composition can influence both migration eligibility and commercial positioning.
Funding stage – Early-stage ventures, venture-backed companies, and revenue-generating businesses face different evidentiary expectations and structuring considerations.
Workforce planning – If you intend to hire locally or relocate key team members, visa strategy should support projected growth.
Long-term residency goals – Temporary entry and permanent residency pathways require different sequencing and documentation.
Poor sequencing can create unnecessary risk. Establishing a company before assessing visa eligibility, applying under the wrong pathway, or overlooking sponsorship obligations may lead to delays or restructuring costs.
A structured approach reduces uncertainty. It allows you to evaluate eligibility clearly, align immigration timing with funding milestones, and protect both commercial and regulatory compliance from the outset.
We work with founders as strategic partners, not just application preparers. Our role is to help you assess viable pathways, identify risk areas early, and ensure your migration strategy supports your broader expansion objectives.
If you are considering establishing or expanding your business in Australia, a structured assessment is the first step. A focused consultation can clarify:
The most suitable visa pathway
Structural considerations
Timing and sequencing
Risk factors specific to your profile
Relocation decisions are strongest when built on clear, coordinated planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Founders typically rely on innovation or employer-sponsored pathways depending on eligibility.
No. However, permanent residency may provide long-term flexibility and investor confidence.
Timeframes vary depending on pathway, preparation quality, and individual circumstances.
In some cases yes, but sequencing should be assessed carefully to avoid compliance issues.