Are you a skilled
professional, tradesperson, or graduating from an Australian university? If
yes, you could qualify for the Skilled Graduate Visa program or permanent
residency with the Skilled Migrant Visa program. This will provide you with
unrestricted Australian working rights for you, your partner and family,
allowing you to secure employment without the requirement for sponsorship.
The Skilled Migration
Program is an official Government initiative to overcome skill shortages within
the Australian workforce and to identify individuals who can make a valuable
contribution to Australia's economy.
Australian Government
statistics confirms 82% of Skilled Independent visa holders gain employment
within first 6 months and 91% within 18 months.
Do you qualify for a
Skilled Visa?
Determine your
skilled visa eligibility in just a few minutes and begin the visa application
process to Australia. You will receive an immediate indication of your
eligibility for your chosen visa category.
Business Visas to Australia
Looking to invest in,
establish or purchase a business in Australia?
Establish Australian
Business Owner Visas
Determine your
eligibility across all Business Visa categories in just a few minutes and begin
the Business Visa Application Process to Australia. You will receive an
immediate indication of your eligibility for your chosen visa category.
There has never been
a better opportunity to benefit from Australia's Business Skills Program.
Australia is considered one of the easiest countries to start a Business
(ranked 3rd against 180 OECD countries*) and one of the easiest to do business
in (ranked 9th*).
The Business Skills
Program system allows business migrants to obtain a Provisional Visa for four
years. After establishing the required level of business or investment
activities, they can apply for a Permanent Residence Visa.
To be eligible for a
provisional business visa, you must have:
A successful business
or investment career; and
A genuine commitment
to engage in business activities in Australia.
Taxation in Australia
Taxable income is
computed in broadly the same way for individuals and businesses. Once
assessable income is calculated, allowable deductions (losses, essential outgoings
and some capital payments) are deducted to arrive at the taxable income on
which tax is charged.
Profits
Company profits are
taxable under an imputation system at a flat rate of 30%.
Income Tax
If you draw a salary
as a director or employee of your business, you will be liable for personal
income tax. Beyond the tax-free threshold, you will be taxed according to
marginal rates of taxation.
Tax Rates 2008 - 2009
Resident Individuals
Taxable Income Marginal Rates of Taxation
$0 - $6,000 Nil
$6,001 - $34,000 15c for each $1 over $6,000
$34,001 - $80,000 $4,200 plus 30c for each $1 over
$34,000
$80,001 - $180,000 $18,000 plus 40c for each $1 over
$80,000
Over $180,001 $58,000 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000
NOTE: The above rates
do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5% which is payable if you are entitled
to public healthcare.
Double Taxation
Agreements
Australia has a
number of Double Taxation Agreements with a number of other countries. These
agreements mean that, in most cases, tax is imposed only by the country of
residence of the taxpayer. However, the country in which the income originates
may impose some withholding taxes on dividends, interests and royalties. You
will generally be considered a resident of Australia for tax purposes if you do
not have a permanent place of abode outside Australia and you spend 183 days or
more in any one tax year in Australia.
Capital Gains
Capital gains arising
from the disposal of assets are, in most cases, treated as income and subject
to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The rate of CGT may be reduced where the asset has
been held longer than 12 months before disposal.
Goods & Services
Tax (GST)
GST is charged at a
flat rate of 10% and is levied on the supply of goods and services that are
connected with Australia. There are some exemptions in relation to the supply
of certain goods and services.
GST is essentially a
value-added tax, which means that tax is paid at each step along the chain of
transactions involving the goods or services until the end user is reached. It
is the consumer who ultimately bears the tax.
Registered suppliers
can claim an input tax credit (a GST refund) for the GST component of goods and
services acquired in the course of carrying out their business.
Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty is levied
on a wide range of transactions, but not on share transactions.
Customs Duty
Customs Duty is
payable at the time goods enter Australia and is generally levied on the
customs value of the goods, which may not be the same as the sale price.
Taxation
responsibilities as an employer
As an employer, you
are obliged to withhold tax from your employee's income and make monthly
payments to the Australian Taxation Office.
You are also required
to provide a minimum level of superannuation support for your employees
(currently 9% of salary).
Tax may also be
payable in respect of fringe benefits offered to employees, such as company
cars and medical benefits.
Visitor Visas to
Australia
Travel to Australia!
Visitor
Australia plays host
to several million visitors a year. Whether you are a tourist wanting to
explore the colours of the outback and the excitement of the cities, or a
professional wishing to do business, you will need a valid visa to enter and
spend time in Australia.
Electronic Travel
Authority (ETA)
An ETA is equivalent
to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need
for you to visit an Australian visa or diplomatic office to submit an
application.
This option is only
available to passport holders of eligible countries.
An ETA is valid for a
period of 12 months or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner) and
will permit multiple entry to Australia, providing no single visit exceeds 3
months.
