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.
