Registering a Company in Singapore from Australia: Steps and Costs Explained

Steps to Registering a Company from Australia

Registering a company in Singapore involves several important steps. For example, deciding on the type of business entity that best suits your needs, whether it’s a Private Limited Company, Sole Proprietorship, or Limited Liability Partnership, or a public company limited by shares.

Some of the key steps include:

• Selecting the right business structure
• Reserving a company name
• Preparing the necessary documents
• Creating your business profile on BizFile+
• Opening a corporate bank account

Choosing the right business structure

Step 🧾	Details 📌
Choose a Business Structure🏗️	Select a suitable legal structure — options include a Private Limited Company (most common), Sole Proprietorship, or limited liability partnership. Each has distinct liability and tax rules and operates as a separate legal entity to protect personal assets.
Reserve a Company Name📝	Submit your desired business name via ACRA for S$ 15. Once approved, you have 120 days to complete registration before the name is released.
Prepare Required Documents📂	Gather essential documents such as shareholder and director IDs (e.g. passports), and draft your company constitution for ACRA submission to fulfil Singapore company incorporation requirements.
Register via BizFile+💻	Use ACRA’s online platform, BizFile+, to officially register your business. The process usually takes up to 3 working days, provided all submissions are accurate and in place.
Open a Bank Account🏦	Set up a business bank account. This helps separate personal and business finances and may take several weeks to finalise.

Reserving a company name

Reserving a company name is a straightforward and crucial step in the registration process. Key points to note are:

• The cost for applying for a business name in Singapore is S$ 15.
• Once your chosen name is approved, you have 120 days to complete the registration process.
• If you fail to register your business within this period, the name will be released for others to claim.

💡 Tip

Osome can help you check name availability and reserve your company name quickly through our online platform. Our experts will also ensure your chosen name meets all ACRA requirements, avoiding unnecessary delays.

Preparing required documents

Preparing the required documents is a critical step that ensures compliance with ACRA’s regulations. Key documents needed for company registration include identification documents such as passport copies or identity cards of shareholders and directors, as well as the company constitution. The company constitution outlines the rules governing the internal management of the company and must be submitted for registration.

Accurate and complete documentation is vital for a smooth registration. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork can lead to delays and penalties, so double-check all details before submission.

Registering your company on BizFile+

The BizFile+ platform by ACRA allows for efficient online registration of businesses in Singapore. This user-friendly platform streamlines registration, enabling entrepreneurs to submit their applications and required documents electronically.

Once submitted, it typically takes about three days to complete the registration as long as all information is accurate and complete.

Opening a corporate bank account

A corporate account is essential for managing business finances separately from personal accounts, ensuring financial transparency, and accurately accounting for business transactions. Several major financial institutions in Singapore offer banking services to businesses, such as DBS, OCBC, and UOB. These banks are well-regarded in the business community.

The process of opening a corporate account can be lengthy, requiring substantial documentation and potentially taking several weeks. It is recommended to open a separate account for sole proprietorships to maintain clear financial records.

Not all banks guarantee approval of business accounts, so it’s important to prepare all necessary documentation and ensure compliance with the bank’s requirements.