Business Setup in the UAE for Australians

Key points

On the ground, australians are a community of more than 15,000 residents in education, construction, hospitality and sports, so the the UAE for Australians authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Australian applications every day and process them without hesitation. the UAE is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East, with a CEPA concluded in 2024, which gives Australian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their the UAE for Australians licence is issued. The most common businesses Australians open through GoldenKey are in education, construction, hospitality and sports, although the UAE for Australians supports almost any activity.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Consultation and activity selection

   In the first call we check that the UAE for Australians lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need. We keep a written record of this step so your file for starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national is audit-ready.

2. 
   Step 2

   Name reservation and initial approval

   GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the the UAE for Australians authority and obtains initial approval, as a rule within one to two business days.

3. 
   Step 3

   Document submission and payment

   You sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with the UAE for Australians and the issuing authority's licence fee is paid. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence issued and next steps

   Once the the UAE for Australians licence and company papers are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting.

Documents required

Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national.

• Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
• A passport released by Australia with at least six months' validity
• A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
• Educational certificates attested by the Australia authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
• Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
• A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months

Pricing

Pricing for starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.

Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.

Where Australians usually register

Importantly, the most common choices for Australian founders are Ajman Free Zone for budget-conscious trading and services, IFZA or Meydan for a Dubai address, and Dubai or Sharjah mainland for retail, restaurants and contracting. Popular sectors among Australians include education, construction, hospitality and sports.

Documents from Australia

You will need a valid passport, photographs and, for professional activities, educational certificates attested in Australia, at the UAE embassy there and at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GoldenKey explains the attestation route for Australia papers before you start.

Visas for you and your family

Your company sponsors your investor residence visa, after which you can sponsor your spouse and children. Golden Visa routes are available to Australian investors, entrepreneurs and professionals who meet the criteria.

Banking for Australian founders

UAE banks are familiar with Australian business profiles. A clear activity, a resident signatory and clean statements from your Australia bank make the file smoother. GoldenKey prepares the file and introduces a suitable bank.

Tax

For most clients, the UAE and Australia do not currently have a comprehensive double taxation agreement, so you should plan with a tax adviser in Australia. The UAE itself charges no personal income tax and 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000. UAE corporate tax applies at 9% above AED 375,000 with a 0% rate for qualifying free zone income, and there is no personal income tax.

Compare jurisdictions for Australians

Ajman Free ZoneOne of the UAE's most affordable free zones — 0-visa packa…Ajman New Venture CentreAjman's newest entrepreneurial free zone — built for start…Ajman Media CityUAE's media and content-creator hub — licences from AED 5,…Meydan Free ZoneDubai's entrepreneurial free zone at the iconic Meydan rac…IFZA Free ZoneDubai's fastest-growing free zone — multi-activity licence…DMCC Free ZoneWorld's #1 free zone — the premium choice for commodity tr…Shams Free ZoneSharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences …SAIF ZoneSharjah's industrial free zone — warehousing, logistics an…RAKEZRAK's all-in-one economic zone — business, industrial and …JAFZAJebel Ali — the world's largest free zone and gateway to g…Dubai mainlandThe UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE w…Abu Dhabi mainlandThe capital — government contracts, energy supply chains a…Sharjah mainlandIndustrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading a…Ajman mainlandGoldenKey's home emirate — one of the most affordable main…Ras Al Khaimah mainlandThe emirate of industry and tourism — low costs, strong ma…Umm Al Quwain mainlandThe quiet emirate — one of the lowest-cost mainland licenc…Fujairah mainlandThe UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Ind…

Businesses Australians open in the UAE

General Tradingimport, export, re-export and wholesale of a broad range o…E-commerceselling physical or digital products online through your o…IT & Softwaresoftware development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting…Business Consultingmanagement, strategy, HR, marketing or operations consulti…Marketing & Advertising Agencydigital marketing, social media management, advertising, b…Real Estate Brokeragebrokering the sale and leasing of property on behalf of ow…Restaurant & Caféoperating a dine-in restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or foo…Retail Shopselling goods to consumers from a physical shop, kiosk or …Logistics & Freight Forwardingfreight forwarding, cargo handling, courier services and s…Import & Exportimporting goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting…Manufacturing & Industrialproducing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a …Construction & Contractingbuilding, civil works, MEP and specialist contracting for …Healthcare Clinicmedical, dental, physiotherapy or aesthetic clinics and ho…Education & Trainingtraining centres, tutoring, corporate training, e-learning…Media & Content Productionvideo production, photography, publishing, podcasting and …Recruitment & HR Servicesrecruitment, manpower supply, outsourcing and HR consultan…Travel & Tourism Agencyinbound and outbound travel, tour operating, ticketing and…Event Managementplanning and delivering corporate events, exhibitions, wed…Interior Design & Fit-outinterior design consultancy, space planning and, with the …Cleaning & Facilities Managementcommercial and residential cleaning, maintenance and integ…Beauty Salon & Spaladies' or gents' salons, barbershops, spas and nail studi…Fitness & Sportsgyms, personal training, yoga studios, sports academies an…Photography & Videographycommercial, wedding, product and real estate photography a…Legal Consultancyadvising on contracts, corporate structuring and complianc…Accounting & Bookkeepingbookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax filing, payroll and fin…Automotive & Spare Parts Tradingtrading new and used vehicles, spare parts, tyres and acce…Gold & Jewellery Tradingwholesale and retail trading of gold, diamonds, precious s…Crypto & Blockchainblockchain development, Web3 consultancy and, with VARA or…Fintech & Paymentspayment technology, lending platforms, wealth-tech and fin…Tourism & Hospitalityholiday homes, hotel management, desert safaris, yacht cha…Textile & Garments Tradingimporting and wholesaling fabrics, garments, uniforms and …Perfume & Cosmetics Tradingtrading, private-label and retail of perfumes, skincare an…Foodstuff Tradingimporting, distributing and re-exporting packaged food, be…Engineering Consultancycivil, structural, MEP and project-management engineering …Architecture & Designarchitectural design, urban planning and landscape archite…Printing & Packagingcommercial printing, signage, labels and packaging product…Car Rental & Leasingrenting and leasing vehicles to tourists, residents and co…Pharmaceutical & Medical Suppliesimporting and distributing medicines, medical devices and …Oil & Gas Servicesequipment supply, inspection, maintenance and consultancy …Maritime & Ship Servicesship chandling, bunkering support, crew services, marine s…Holding Companyowning shares in subsidiaries, property and investments un…

Why the UAE

English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national for international founders. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for starting a business in the UAE as an Australian national.

Why GoldenKey

From day one, every the UAE for Australians package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end. Most of our the UAE for Australians clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. After your the UAE for Australians licence is issued, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice.

Frequently asked questions