The virtual office is a physical address for a business, where mail and calls can be received and then forwarded as indicated by the business owners.
One particular advantage of the virtual office in Australia is that it is suited to international businesses: it provides a physical address; however, the team can work from anywhere when they choose this office package.
Our lawyers in Australia can help you decide if working via a virtual office is the most suitable option for your business needs.
What is a virtual office in Australia?
The virtual office is a business address that will offer a physical office space and in some cases, a place for business meetings that need to take place in a meeting room with the adequate facilities. The address of the office building is used for company formation purposes in Australia.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Definition of a virtual office | A virtual office in Australia refers to a physical place of doing business, usually located in an office building, where investors can have an official business address, an office and other facilities designed for business purposes. |
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Main advantages of a virtual office |
The virtual office is the ideal way to obtain a business address, a basic requirement when having a business in Australia, at very low costs compared to renting a traditional office space. It also provides investors with a professional, business image. |
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Basic virtual office services |
– a business address, – a place where the company can receive its official/business documents, – mail forwarding. |
| Types of contracts | Contracts for the services of a virtual office in Australia can be signed on a monthly basis or on a yearly basis (there are more incentives/benefits when signing a long-term contract). |
| Types of clients who should choose the services of a virtual office |
The virtual office is suitable for: – businessmen who carry their activities as sole traders (who, typically, don’t have the budget for an office or who don’t need a regular office space), – first-time businessmen, – small companies that can develop their activities in the online enviroment. |
| Minimum cost of a virtual office per month |
AUD $ 60-75 |
| Premium package services |
A premium package will include all the standard virtual office services, along with: – a local phone number, – voicemail services, – receptionist, – coworking spaces, – the right to use a conference room several times a week/month, – IT support, etc. |
| Minimum costs for a premium package per month |
AUD $120 |
| Receptionist available (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Industries most suited for a virtual office |
A virtual office in Australia can be suitable for a wide category of businesses, but it is ideal for: – start-ups, – sole traders, – consultants and other similar professionals (who usually meet with their clients in other locations than a regular office space), – e-commerce businesses, etc. |
| Australian cities where virtual offices are available |
A virtual office is a service available in Australia’ major cities such as: – Melborne, – Sydney, – Brisbane, – Adelaide, – Perth, – Canberra. |
| Conference room available (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Coworking space available |
Coworking spaces are available in some virtual office buildings. |
| Upgrading/modifying contracts |
Clients can always modify their contracts by including or renouncing certain services. |
| How can we help you | Our team can provide you with the best options if you want to purchase the services of a virtual office – we can recommend you the most suitable services after analyzing the needs of your business. |
Having a registered address when incorporating a company is a mandatory step and the virtual office can be of real aid for those investors who plan on working from another location but need that particular address to register their Australian business.
This solution is suitable for those businesses that need to retain a professional business image but can still benefit from doing so at a more affordable price compared to having to buy or rent property in Australia.
The experts at our Australian law firm can help you understand the mandatory requirements for company formation and decide if this option is the one suitable for your business needs.
What are the advantages of a virtual office in Australia?
Apart from being able to work from anywhere in Australia or in another country and still retain an Australian address, there are a few other advantages for business owners who choose to work via a virtual office. Our attorneys in Australia list these below:
- good business image – the company will be able to retain a professional image because the business address will be located at a prestigious address;
- receptionist services – call answering and e-mail forwarding by our team as needed for business purposes;
- telephone number – the business address also has a local telephone number that may be used to keep in touch with local clients;
- mail forwarding – the mail received in your name/the company’s name at the address will be forwarded as per your instructions.
What are the costs of a virtual office in Australia?
One of the most important benefits foreign and local investors can have when opting to work through a virtual office is related to the monthly costs.
While for those who will open a company in Australia in a traditional office the costs can be rather large, for virtual offices, the monthly fees are affordable regardless of the nature and the capital of a business (sole trader, legal entity).
In general, a virtual office services provider will offer clients with a contract that is renewed on a monthly basis. This is very advantageous for the investors, as they can modify the services they need from one month to another.
The overall monthly fees will be influenced by the types of services selected. In the list below, our team of Australian lawyers prepared information concerning the prices you can expect to pay, based on the selected services:
- those who simply need a business address in order to lawfully operate a company in Australia can be charged with AUD 59 per month;
- investors who need more services, including call handling, can pay approximately AUD 109 per month;
- for upgraded services, a virtual office package can start from AUD 195 to AUD 225 per month;
- upgraded packages can include 5 days per month when the investors can meet in a meeting room with clients, business partners, etc., that have a capacity of up to 10 persons;
- an upgraded package/a premium package can also include a 24 hours voicemail service.
Who should choose the services of a virtual office in Australia?
The virtual office is a suitable solution for a wide range of investors, but it is generally recommended to small businesses or to first-time businessmen who have set up a business in their own name.
For instance, it can be the case of those who work as sole traders or any other types of self-employed persons. It is ideally suited to local and foreign companies that can carry their operations through the online environment, regardless if they sell services or goods.
For those who sell goods and other products it will be more complicated as they will need a storage unit and the virtual office can’t be used for this purpose.
In general, the virtual office is not a suitable option for large businesses, as they will usually employ a large number of employees, most of whom will probably need to work in a physical place of business.
Also, large companies have the necessary capital to invest in a brick and mortar office, which is not generally the case of small businesses.
Whether an investor operates as self-employed or he or she has set up a company with a legal personality, as long as the company is represented only by the investor or has only few employees, the virtual office can be ideal until the company will further expand.
Please mind that regardless of the company type, all businesses must be registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and among the obligations investors have is to provide a business address for their company.
If the company has employees, they will also have to be registered with the competent authorities. This is necessary regardless if the employees work from a physical place of business or they work remotely.
The virtual office can be the best options for companies that have few employees that work from remote locations. Investors can have many advantages while developing their activity through a virtual office.
The virtual office can sometimes be a coworking space, suitable for networking activities that can potentially create more business opportunities, depending on the operations of the company.
How to work via a virtual office in Australia?
Working via a virtual office is very simple and business owners only have to contact a virtual office services provider and subscribe to their services.
Our team of Australian lawyers can help you find a package that suits your business needs and can help you with other services, as needed.
Please contact our law firm in Australia for complete details about the legal services we provide and how we can assist you in opening a business.