Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the ASIC and AUSTRAC decisions, including banking and payment rails.
Get a payment license in Australia.
Three regulators, one map: ASIC licenses non-cash payment products under the AFSL, AUSTRAC registers remittance providers, and APRA authorises stored value at scale - with a unified PSP licensing reform on the way. We chart the route and build the file.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Australia in brief
A three-regulator map worth reading correctly.
Australia has no single payments licence - it has a division of labour. ASIC licenses the conduct layer: issuing or dealing in non-cash payment products requires an Australian Financial Services Licence with the right authorisations, disclosure obligations and competence standards. AUSTRAC runs the AML layer: remittance providers must be registered on its Remittance Sector Register (network providers and affiliates each in their place), with enrolment, reporting and compliance-programme duties that the regulator enforces energetically. And APRA holds the prudential layer: where stored value reaches purchased-payment-facility scale, authorisation as a PPF provider brings bank-grade prudential supervision. Which layers apply - one, two or all three - is a fact about your model, and mapping it wrongly costs a year.
The map is also changing deliberately: Australia's payments-system modernisation is building a unified payment service provider licensing regime to replace today's patchwork, with Treasury consultation drafts already public - files built now should be structured to convert. The market justifies the effort: 27 million consumers with world-leading card and contactless adoption, the New Payments Platform for instant account-to-account flows, and a fintech scene concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne. Corporate tax runs 30% (25% for base-rate entities), GST is 10% with financial supplies input-taxed. Realistic end-to-end for an AFSL: 9-15 months; AUSTRAC registration far faster. We run the file from our Sydney office.
Three layers: ASIC's AFSL for non-cash payment products, AUSTRAC's Remittance Sector Register for corridors, APRA's PPF authorisation at stored-value scale - with a unified PSP licence in the pipeline.
The market: 27M premium consumers, NPP instant rails. The craft: mapping the layers correctly before drafting.
The two routes
AFSL for products - AUSTRAC for corridors.
Two working entries into Australian payments. The ASIC licence for non-cash payment products, the AUSTRAC register for remittance. With APRA above at stored-value scale. We fix the map first, then build once.
The AFSL for products. AUSTRAC registration for corridors. APRA above at scale.
01 - AFSL · NON-CASH PAYMENTS
The ASIC licence
The conduct licence for payment products: issuing and dealing in non-cash payment facilities under an AFSL with the right authorisations. Responsible managers, disclosure, dispute resolution and compliance infrastructure included.
The conduct licence for payment products: issuing and dealing in non-cash payment facilities under an AFSL with the right authorisations. Responsible managers, disclosure, dispute resolution and compliance infrastructure included.
- ✓Non-cash payment product authorisations
- ✓Responsible managers with track records
- ✓Disclosure and PDS obligations
- ✓AFCA dispute-resolution membership
- ✓Compliance and audit infrastructure
- ✓Structured to convert to PSP reform
02 - AUSTRAC · REMITTANCE ROUTES
The corridor registerRemittance registration
Remittance network providers, affiliates and independent remitters register with AUSTRAC. Enrolment, AML/CTF programmes and reporting duties that move far faster than a licence, for models built on corridors.
Remittance register in months; AML/CTF programmes; pairs with the AFSL; AUSTRAC supervises energetically.
- ✓Remittance Sector Register entry
- ✓Network, affiliate or independent status
- ✓AML/CTF programme and reporting
- ✓Faster than licensing - months
- ✓Pairs with an AFSL where needed
- ✓AUSTRAC's energetic supervision
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. ASIC and AUSTRAC fees follow their schedules; capital, indemnity and substance costs are itemised in your quote.
Why Australia
A rich market behind a readable map.
Three regulators with published perimeters, and a reform converging on one licence. Read correctly, the route is plannable.
✓
27 million premium consumers
World-leading contactless adoption, deep card economics and the New Payments Platform for instant flows. Australian volumes price like the developed market they are.World-leading contactless market.
✓
Published perimeters
ASIC's AFSL authorisations, AUSTRAC's register categories and APRA's PPF threshold are all published. The map is complex but knowable, which makes it plannable.Complex but knowable map.
✓
The reform tailwind
Treasury's payments modernisation is building a unified PSP licence. Files built today, structured for conversion, will be first in the new queue.Unified PSP licence coming.
✓
AUSTRAC speed
Corridor models reach the Remittance Sector Register in months. Revenue while product-heavy competitors are still drafting AFSL applications.Corridors live in months.
✓
A transparent common-law system
English-language law, deep courts, AFCA dispute resolution. The operating environment reads like the UK's with a bigger time-zone advantage into Asia.English law, AFCA, real courts.
✓
The Asia-Pacific seat
Sydney and Melbourne anchor Asia-Pacific fintech south of Singapore. Talent, capital and counterparties in the same three postcodes.Sydney and Melbourne anchor.
How it compares
How Australia differs from other routes.
Australia trades a multi-regulator map for a premium market. The comparison is below.
Australia vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Australia | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regime | AFSL + AUSTRAC + APRA | Single-licence regimes |
| Reform | Unified PSP licence coming | Established frameworks |
| Remittance entry | Registration - months | Often full licensing |
| Market | 27M premium consumers | Varies |
Regime
AustraliaAFSL + AUSTRAC + APRA
Other jurisdictionsSingle-licence regimes
Reform
AustraliaUnified PSP licence coming
Other jurisdictionsEstablished frameworks
Remittance entry
AustraliaRegistration - months
Other jurisdictionsOften full licensing
Market
Australia27M premium consumers
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | AFSL / AUSTRAC | 30% · 25% base rate | Three-layer map, reform coming |
 Singapore | SPI / MPI (MAS) | 17% · reliefs | Staircase, benchmark stamp |
 Hong Kong | SVF (HKMA) | 8.25% / 16.5% | HK$25M, principal business |
 United Kingdom | EMI (FCA) | 25% CIT · 19% small | PSRs/EMRs regime |
AustraliaLicense typeAFSL / AUSTRAC
Taxation30% · 25% base rate
RequirementsThree-layer map, reform coming
SingaporeLicense typeSPI / MPI (MAS)
Taxation17% · reliefs
RequirementsStaircase, benchmark stamp
Hong KongLicense typeSVF (HKMA)
Taxation8.25% / 16.5%
RequirementsHK$25M, principal business
United KingdomLicense typeEMI (FCA)
Taxation25% CIT · 19% small
RequirementsPSRs/EMRs regime
Before you apply
Requirements for the Australian routes.Requirements for the routes.
Each layer has its own bar. The craft is knowing which apply and clearing them in the right order. The checklist below is what a passing programme contains.
01
Australian entity. A Pty Ltd with local presence and an Australian contact point.
02
The layer map. ASIC, AUSTRAC and APRA obligations determined in writing before anything is drafted.
03
Responsible managers. AFSL-grade people with demonstrable track records in the authorisations sought.
04
Fit and proper owners. Competence, clean records and ownership transparent to UBOs.
05
Programme of operations. Products, corridors, volumes and three-year financials regulators can interrogate.
06
Financial requirements. ASIC's base-level and adjusted-surplus tests met and modelled forward.
07
AML/CTF programme. AUSTRAC-grade Part A/B programmes, enrolment and reporting lines that work.
08
Dispute resolution. AFCA membership and internal complaint procedures live at licensing.
09
Technology and outsourcing. Documented systems, resilience and vendor governance.
10
Reform readiness. The file structured to convert into the unified PSP regime as it lands.
01
Australian Pty Ltd, local presence.
02
The layer map, in writing first.
03
AFSL-grade responsible managers.
04
Owners transparent to UBOs.
05
Interrogable programme of operations.
06
ASIC financial tests modelled.
07
AUSTRAC AML/CTF programmes.
08
AFCA membership at launch.
09
Technology and vendor governance.
10
Reform-convertible structure.
Reflects the Corporations Act (AFSL), the AML/CTF Act (AUSTRAC) and APRA's PPF framework as of 2026.Corporations Act + AML/CTF Act + APRA framework, as of 2026.
How it works
From the layer map to live licences.
01
The layer map
ASIC, AUSTRAC, APRA, which apply to your model, fixed in writing with capital and timeline.Which regulators, fixed in writing.
02
Australian company and people
Pty Ltd formation, responsible managers and the officers regulators vet.Pty Ltd, responsible managers.
03
The application files
AFSL authorisations, AML/CTF programmes and financial models. Complete before filing, sequenced AUSTRAC-first where corridors lead.AUSTRAC-first where corridors lead.
04
Regulator review
ASIC's rounds answered, AUSTRAC enrolment processed - 9-15 months realistic for the AFSL, months for registration.AFSL 9-15 months; registration faster.
05
Licences and launch
Register entries live, AFCA membership active, reporting calendars running. Built to convert when the PSP reform lands.Registers, AFCA, reform-ready.
Quick facts
Conduct licenceAFSL - ASIC
RemittanceAUSTRAC register
Stored value at scaleAPRA PPF
ReformUnified PSP licence coming
AFSL timeline9-15 months realistic
AUSTRAC timelineMonths
Corporate tax30% · 25% base rate
GST10% · financial supplies input-taxed
Three regulators, one model, one map. Drawn correctly before drafting is the entire game, and our job.
On the ground in Australia
Run from our Sydney office.
Prifinance - Australia
Sydney · Australia
Sydney, Australia
01
Australian company formation
Pty Ltd incorporation, local presence and the corporate layer the regulators expect. Structured for the licences from day one.Pty Ltd + presence, structured.
02
The layer map, in writing
ASIC, AUSTRAC and APRA obligations mapped against your actual model before drafting, because the wrong map costs a year.Wrong map costs a year - drawn first.
03
The AFSL and AUSTRAC files
Authorisations, responsible managers, AML/CTF programmes and financial-requirement models. Drafted with Australian counsel and defended through the rounds.With Australian counsel, defended.
04
Substance and staffing
Responsible managers, compliance leads and MLROs from Sydney's and Melbourne's deep pools. Real substance regulators recognise.Sydney/Melbourne talent, real ops.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of payment companies in Australia.
Developed-market rates for a developed market: 30% headline, 25% for base-rate entities. With franking credits doing quiet work above.
Corporate tax 30% · 25%
The 30% headline drops to 25% for base-rate entities under the turnover threshold. Most licensed startups begin at the lower rate.Most startups begin at 25%.
Franking credits
Australia's imputation system attaches franking credits to dividends. Resident shareholders offset corporate tax paid, removing double taxation at home.No double tax at home.
GST 10% - input-taxed finance
Financial supplies are input-taxed rather than GST-free in the ordinary sense. The 10% GST touches ordinary supplies, with credits modelled carefully.Financial supplies input-taxed.
R&D incentives
The R&D tax incentive refunds a real share of qualifying platform build-out. Payment companies carrying their own technology claim it routinely.Refundable platform build-out.
Payroll realism
Sydney and Melbourne salaries price like the premium market they serve. The operating model must carry developed-market costs.Developed-market costs, priced in.
Treaty network 45+
A solid treaty network across the OECD and Asia. Group structures above the Australian entity model cleanly.OECD + Asia coverage.
Tax summary
Corporate tax30% · 25% base rate
DividendsFranking imputation
GST10% · input-taxed finance
R&D incentiveRefundable tranches
Capital gainsIn the corporate base
Tax treaties45+
*Figures as of 2026 per the ATO. Base-rate eligibility and franking outcomes are modelled per structure.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Australian Pty Ltd, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, licensed business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Australian Financial Services (AFSL) Payment License
Australia · ASIC & AUSTRAC
Launch your payment project in Australia with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from Pty Ltd registration to the AFSL, AUSTRAC registration and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Australia the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Australian payment routes: quick answers.
Is there an EMI licence in Australia?+
No single one - Australia splits payments across three regulators: ASIC's AFSL for non-cash payment products, AUSTRAC's register for remittance, and APRA authorisation where stored value reaches purchased-payment-facility scale. The unified PSP licence is coming; the map above is what exists today.
Which route does a wallet or transfer model need?+
It depends on the layers your model touches: product issuance points to the AFSL, corridors to AUSTRAC, held float at scale toward APRA. Most models need one or two layers, not three - we map it in writing before anything is drafted.
How long does the AFSL take?+
Realistically 9-15 months with credible responsible managers and a complete file; AUSTRAC registration runs in months. Sequencing AUSTRAC-first gets corridor revenue flowing while the AFSL matures.
What is the PSP licensing reform?+
Treasury's payments modernisation is replacing the patchwork with a unified payment service provider licence - consultation drafts are public and the direction is set. We structure today's files to convert rather than be rebuilt.
What substance is expected?+
An Australian Pty Ltd with real local presence, responsible managers whose track records match the authorisations, AUSTRAC-grade AML/CTF programmes and AFCA membership live at launch.
How are payment companies taxed?+
30% corporate tax - 25% for base-rate entities - with franking credits for resident shareholders, 10% GST with input-taxed financial supplies, and a refundable R&D incentive for platform build-out.
What are ASIC's financial requirements?+
AFSL holders meet base-level and adjusted-surplus financial tests calibrated to their authorisations - modelled forward with your growth plan so a scaling quarter never breaches them.
How energetic is AUSTRAC really?+
Very - its enforcement history includes the largest penalties in Australian corporate life. The register is fast to join and serious to hold; our AML programmes are drafted for the inspection, not the filing.
Does an Australian licence passport anywhere?+
No - like the rest of Asia-Pacific, Australia has no passporting. Regional groups typically pair the Australian stack with Singapore or Hong Kong; we sequence the pair.
Why Australia rather than Singapore?+
Singapore is the regional hub licence; Australia is a destination market - 27 million premium consumers with world-leading contactless habits. Models that need Australian distribution license here; hub models start in Singapore and expand in.
One EMI licence?+
No - AFSL + AUSTRAC + APRA layers.
Which do I need?+
Depends on the layers touched - mapped first.
AFSL timeline?+
9-15 months; AUSTRAC in months.
The reform?+
Unified PSP licence - files built to convert.
Substance?+
Responsible managers, real presence.
Taxes?+
30%/25%; franking; GST 10%.
AUSTRAC serious?+
Record penalties - yes. Build for inspection.
Passport?+
None - pair with Singapore/HK.
Financial tests?+
Base-level + surplus, modelled forward.
Vs Singapore?+
Destination market here; hub there.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
Start today
One message away from your Australian licence.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Australian route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of ASIC, AUSTRAC, APRA or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.