An Australian company can usually have its Indian subsidiary incorporated, with PAN and TAN, within 4 to 6 weeks of its documents being notarised and apostilled by DFAT, with the bank account, share issue and FC-GPR following over the next few weeks. Allow extra days for courier from Australia and for the Christmas to January summer shutdown. India is 4.5 hours behind Sydney in winter and 5.5 hours in summer, which gives a useful afternoon overlap. Many Australian groups aim to finish before 30 June so the investment falls in the right financial year.
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Key facts
| Incorporation | Usually 4 to 6 weeks from DFAT-apostilled documents |
|---|---|
| Courier from Australia | Allow several days for express delivery |
| Bank, capital and shares | About 1 to 2 weeks after incorporation |
| FC-GPR | Within 30 days of allotment |
| Time difference | India is 4.5 hours behind AEST, 5.5 hours behind AEDT, and 2.5 hours behind Perth |
| Slow period | Christmas to late January |
| Year ends | Australian groups usually 30 June; Indian subsidiaries 31 March |
The timeline
| Weeks | Australia | India |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Board resolution; ASIC extract; directors' passports and address proofs | FDI check, drafting and name search |
| 1 to 2 | Notary appointment; DFAT apostilles | Directors' digital signatures; name approval |
| 2 to 3 | Courier originals to India | Final document review |
| 3 to 5 | Digital signing of the forms | SPICe+ filed; incorporation with PAN and TAN |
| 5 to 7 | Capital remitted in AUD or USD | Bank account, capital received, shares allotted |
| Within 30 days of allotment | Share certificates to the parent | FC-GPR filed |
The Australian document steps
- Download a current company extract from ASIC and gather the constitution.
- Pass a board resolution approving the investment, the Indian directors and a signatory.
- Have the documents and directors' identification notarised by a notary public whose signature DFAT can verify.
- Obtain DFAT apostilles, in person at a DFAT office or by mail; the mail service takes longer.
- Courier the originals to India.
Distance and delivery
Australia is the furthest of our main markets from India by courier, so allow several working days for the originals to arrive, and more over holiday periods. We avoid this sitting on the critical path by preparing everything else in India first: names, digital signatures, the MoA and AoA and the registered office documents are ready when the courier lands.
Summer shutdown and state holidays
| Period | Effect |
|---|---|
| Christmas to late January | Many Australian businesses, notaries and decision-makers are on summer leave; finish Australian steps by mid-December |
| Easter | Four-day weekend in Australia |
| State public holidays | These differ between states, so check where your notary and signatories are |
| Diwali (October or November) | Indian banks and offices close for several days |
| Indian year end, 31 March | Indian banks are busy in March |
Planning around 30 June and 31 March
Most Australian groups close on 30 June and want the new subsidiary set up and funded within the year in which it was budgeted. Working back, the Australian documents should be with the notary by late April to have the subsidiary incorporated and funded by June. On the Indian side, the subsidiary's first financial year ends on 31 March; a company incorporated between January and March can choose a first year ending on the following 31 March instead.
Making the time difference work
- India is 4.5 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne in winter and 5.5 hours behind during Australian daylight saving; Perth is 2.5 hours ahead of India all year.
- Indian working hours start in the Australian early afternoon, so signing sessions and bank calls fit in the Australian afternoon.
- Daylight saving starts and ends in some Australian states but not others, and India does not change its clocks.
After incorporation
Once incorporated, the subsidiary must allot shares within 60 days of receiving the capital and file FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment. The first auditor is appointed within 30 days of incorporation, and the declaration of commencement of business is due within 180 days. See the incorporation process from Australia for the full sequence.
How AU Corporate handles this
AU Corporate plans the timetable backwards from your target date, prepares the Indian filings before the Australian originals arrive, and handles incorporation, banking, the share issue and FC-GPR in Australian afternoon hours where it matters.
Related services: India subsidiary registration and FEMA and RBI compliance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take an Australian company to set up an Indian subsidiary?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks from DFAT-apostilled documents to incorporation with PAN and TAN, then 1 to 2 weeks for the bank and capital, and FC-GPR within 30 days of allotting shares.
What takes longest on the Australian side?
The notary and DFAT apostille steps, then courier time to India.
When should we start to finish before 30 June?
Have the Australian documents with the notary by late April.
What is the time difference between Australia and India?
India is 4.5 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne in winter, 5.5 hours in summer, and 2.5 hours behind Perth.
Which holidays should we plan around?
The Christmas to January summer shutdown, Easter and state holidays in Australia, and Diwali in India.
Can the Indian work start before the documents arrive?
Yes. Names, digital signatures and the incorporation documents are prepared in parallel and filed when the originals arrive.
Related guides
Sources
Last updated 3 November 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Indian rules change often; confirm current requirements before acting.