Canadian businesses are expressing significant concern over the imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports by United States President Donald Trump. This development has led to a surge in queries as Canadian companies seek to understand the implications and explore alternative strategies, such as expanding their business operations to Australia.
What are the potential benefits of expanding into alternative markets like Australia?
Australia offers a stable economy, favorable tax incentives, and access to the Asia-Pacific market, making it an attractive destination for Canadian businesses seeking to reduce reliance on the United States.
By diversifying into the Australian market as your first international expansion, Australia has a similar legal and regulatory framework as Canada; operates in English; has a growing economy; and is a great test market as it is smaller than Canada in population but has a similar GDP and business culture.
Why Invest in Australia Amid U.S. Tariffs?
As the U.S. imposes new 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, businesses across Canada are looking for ways to protect their profitability and secure new markets. Australia offers an ideal alternative—a stable economy; strong trade ties with Canada; a tariff-free market; and a gateway to the Asia-Pacific market.
How Can MurdockCheng Legal Practice Help?
We offer comprehensive legal services for Canadian businesses looking to establish operations in Australia. Our team understands both Canadian and Australian business landscapes, making expansion seamless. Our Services Include:
- Company Formation – We help register your business in Australia, together with virtual office services so you can have a registered office in the financial district of Sydney.
- Local Directorship Services – We can act as your Australian-based director, or assist you in sourcing a local director.
- Legal Compliance & Corporate Governance – We can assist you with all of your legal compliance and corporate governance requirements, including the facilitation of opening a bank account for you.
- Investment & Tax Structuring – We can assist with your corporate structuring, providing you with flexibility and maximising your opportunity to obtain research and development tax incentives and government grants.
- Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships and Licencing – We can assist Canadian businesses partner with Australian companies by drafting the legal documentation to give you comfort in having the legal support necessary to protect your rights.
About MCLP
Damin Murdock is from the Ottawa Valley; a graduate from the University of Western Ontario (Finance); holds a Juris Doctor from Australia (International Trade Law); a Masters of Laws from Erasmus University Rotterdam (International Business Transactions); President of the Canadian Australian Club (Sydney); and Treasurer of the North American Australian Lawyers Alliance.
MCLP has been operating in Sydney and Melbourne for more than a decade, and most of our lawyers hold business administration degrees ensuring you are receiving both practical and legal solutions for your expansion to Australia.
For more information, call our office on +61 2 9262 5495 or email Mr Murdock directly at dmurdock@mclp.com.au for a free consultation, or subscribe to our newsletter by visiting https://mclp.com.au/publications/
For additional information and support:
- Canadian Consulate-General in Sydney
📍 Level 6, Quay West, 111 Harrington Street, Sydney NSW 2000
📞 +61 2 9364 3000 | ✉ sydny@international.gc.ca - Canadian High Commission in Canberra
📍 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra ACT 2600
📞 +61 2 6270 4000