Business setup in the UAE for Australian founders

The community here

Australians in the UAE work across construction, mining services, education, aviation and professional services, with a smaller community than the UK's but a similar professional profile.

The trade corridor

Australia–UAE trade covers agricultural products, minerals, education services and machinery, with the UAE serving as a gateway into the wider Middle East.

Four things that differ for you

Document attestation

Australia is a party to the Apostille Convention. DFAT apostille followed by MoFA attestation is generally accepted.

Double taxation agreement

No comprehensive double taxation agreement is currently in force between Australia and the UAE. Confirm the position before relying on treaty relief.

Tax at home

Australia taxes residents on worldwide income and applies several alternative residency tests, any of which can establish residence. Ceasing Australian tax residence also triggers deemed disposal rules for certain assets. The absence of a treaty makes getting the residence position right more important, not less.

Banking

Straightforward.

Jurisdictions worth looking at

Nothing on this page is tax advice, and home-country tax rules change. The UAE side we handle; the position in Australia needs an adviser there, ideally before you move rather than after. We will say so on the first call.