AUSTRALIA

Australia’s political stability, transparent regulatory system, and sound governance frameworks
underpin its economic resilience.Ranked in the global top five on the Index of Economic
Freedom, Australia’s effective governance provides multinationals with a safe, secure business
environment.

Australia offers:

 a business environment that is ranked 15th out of 190 economies for ease of doing
business
 a robust regulatory system noted for its stable institutional frameworks and strong finance
and banking regulations
 competitive rates for office space and the remuneration of professionals
 a quality of life that is rated the seventh highest in the world.
 Our supportive business environment
 Free, stable and prosperous, Australia is a secure base for your new venture or expanding
your existing business.
 In Australia, fair and effective governance is seen as the foundation for economic growth
and a free society. Our transparent and dependable institutions give businesses the
confidence their investments will be protected. We are one of only nine countries to hold
a AAA credit rating.
 It’s easy to do business in Australia
 Australia has a clear set of rules – but we aren’t over governed. We have the processes in
place to make it easier to unleash the entrepreneurship of private enterprise and grow
your business. Just ask the OECD, which noted in 2021 that ‘Australia offers a
favourable administrative and regulatory framework for entrepreneurship, especially
regarding the costs of starting a business’.

 Does Australia have FDI?

Australia welcomes foreign investment. It has helped build Australia's economy and will
continue to enhance the wellbeing of Australians by supporting economic growth and innovation
into the future.

Australia continues to be a highly attractive destination for foreign direct investment

(FDI) – which is when an overseas company sets up, buys or increases its stake in an Australian
business. The total stock of FDI in Australia has risen, on average, by about 8% per year since
2000. It reached A$1 trillion in 2020
  Why is Australia attractive for FDI?
Australia welcomes foreign investment, with the overwhelming majority of investment being
approved. A strong and secure economy creates a positive investment environment that
ensures Australia remains an attractive destination for foreign investment
 Why is Australia investing in India?
The Morrison Government is investing over $280 million to boost cooperation with India, to
further grow our economic relationship and support jobs and businesses in both countries.
India is already an important economic and security partner in the Indo-Pacific.

 Can a foreigner invest in a business in Australia?

If you already have business skills you might be eligible for a Business Innovation and
Investment provisional visa. This provisional visa is for people with business skills. It lets you
operate a new or existing business in Australia

 Which Australian industries attract foreign direct investment?

Global investment powers Australian mining, manufacturing and finance
o 35.3% of FDI (worth A$360 billion) is invested in our mining industries.
o 12.9% of FDI (worth A$131 billion) in invested in Australian manufacturing.
o 11.1% of FDI (worth A$113 billion) is invested in financial services and insurance

 Australian mineral facts

Australia produces 19 useful minerals in significant amounts, from over 350 operating mines.
From these minerals, useful materials such as metals can be extracted. Australia is one of the
world's leading producers of bauxite (aluminium ore), iron ore, lithium, gold, lead, diamond, rare
earth elements, uranium, and zinc. Australia also has large mineral sand deposits of ilmenite,
zircon and rutile. In addition, Australia produces large quantities of black coal, manganese,
antimony, nickel, silver, cobalt, copper and tin.

Mining occurs in all states of Australia, the Northern Territory and Christmas Island. There is no
mining in the Australian Capital Territory apart from quarries used for construction
materials. Australia's Identified Mineral Resources, has up-to-date information on mineral
resources in Australia including resource estimates, production and export figures.

Australia produces 19 useful minerals in significant amounts, from over 350 operating mines.
From these minerals, useful materials such as metals can be extracted. Australia is one of the
world's leading producers of bauxite (aluminium ore), iron ore, lithium, gold, lead, diamond, rare
earth elements, uranium, and zinc. Australia also has large mineral sand deposits of ilmenite,
zircon and rutile. In addition, Australia produces large quantities of black coal, manganese,
antimony, nickel, silver, cobalt, copper and tin.

Mining occurs in all states of Australia, the Northern Territory and Christmas Island. There is no
mining in the Australian Capital Territory apart from quarries used for construction
materials. Australia's Identified Mineral Resources, has up-to-date information on mineral
resources in Australia including resource estimates, production and export figures.

 What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Australia?

 Australia's natural resources include minerals, petroleum, natural gas,
and timber, among other things.
 The service sector of the nation is its strongest economic driver, but
Australia is the world's largest producer of many minerals such as bauxite
and zircon.
 Australia's economy has avoided a recession the last 28 years or so, but it
could have been facing zero growth even before the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia is famous for being the Land Down Under and as such, for being full of kangaroos,
crocodile hunters, and dingos that tourists as well as locals, love to laud. What may not be as
well known is what type of natural resources help make its economy the 14th largest in the world
with a gross domestic product (GDP) of about $1.38 trillion. 

First, let’s point out that Australia’s economy does not actually rely largely on natural resources
to support itself. The country’s service sector is the major economic driver. This includes things
such as finance, trade, and transport services. The Australian service sector employs about 75%
of the nation’s labor force and contributes 70% of the GDP. 

It is true that natural resources are integral to Australia’s economy as well, however. 

According to Oxford Languages, a natural resource is defined as “materials or substances such

as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic
gain.”

Some of Australia’s major natural resources include a vast array of minerals, petroleum, natural
gas, and timber
  Process To Starting a Mining Company in Australia
The mining industry may soon become one of the most significant drivers of the
Australian economy. While Australia was not among the most severely affected
countries by the global financial crisis. It has been suffering from a recession in recent
years. The unemployment rate in Australia is currently 6.2%. Many believe that starting
a mining company could be one of the best ways to solve this problem.
Creating a mining company can be pretty challenging. In addition to raising capital
and hiring staff, you need to understand where to start with your business plan. Are
you stranded on starting a mining company in Australia?
The business of mining is way too different from  Car Insurance , Real Estate , or
running a Restaurant  business. You need not worry; we have created a guide for you
that will help you start the company.

Steps for Starting a Mining Company in Australia

Starting a mining business is profitable, but a lot of work has to be put into it. Take the
time to do your research, make the right decisions, and have a successful business. Here
are the steps of starting a mining company in Australia:

 Plan your mining business

To start a mining business, you must create a plan. During this phase, employees and
contractors will build upon their ideas from the brainstorming sessions and create more
detailed plans for how the company will operate. You must make sure that everyone
understands what needs to be done during this phase and works together towards the
same goals. Once your mining business has been successfully created, it’s time to get
started on planning its operations.

 Decide the business structure

You will have to decide on your new company’s type of business structure. The most
popular forms are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability
company (LLC). You will have to decide which one is best for your mining business.

 Form your mining business into a Legal Entity

Suppose you want to start a mining business; doing so as a limited liability company
(LLC) or a corporation will give you legal protections. And this would keep your tax
obligations simple. This means that if something goes wrong with your business or
someone sues you, your assets, like your home or car, are safe because they can’t be
used to pay off business debts or judgments against your company.
  Register your mining business for Taxes
If your mining company is an LLC, you have to register it with the state where you are
based. You also have to apply for an EIN if you will be employing other workers in your
mining business. If you are going to be operating as a corporation, you will have to
register your business. And get a business tax ID or say Business TFN.

 Open a Business Bank account & credit card

To keep your personal and business finances separate, open up a business bank account
and a credit card. All the expenses related to the running of the mining company would
be paid through it.

 Set up Accounting for your mining business

To help track how much money is coming into your mining company and how much has
been spent. How much profit has been made at any particular period? You need
accounting software such as QuickBooks or any other software. This will help you keep
the business operation incomes and expenses to account for the profits or losses realized.

 Get the necessary permits and licenses for your mining business
If you want to start a mining company in Australia, you must apply for permits and
licenses. For the business which is a partnership or a limited liability company, you need
an Australian Business Number (ABN). And if it is a sole proprietorship, you need an
Australian Company Number (ACN).
Register ABN
 Get mining business insurance
As a mining business owner, one of the most important things you must do first is get
insured. Insurance will help you with any mishap that may occur in the future or any
accident that comes along while doing your business. It will help you with all the
problems in case of an accident during the working of your business. You need insurance
so that there is no problem in the future, and if something terrible happens, you won’t
suffer because of it.

 Define your mining business brand

To build a strong presence in the industry, you need to define your brand and establish it
in the market. Your brand will help you stand out from your competitors in the market.
Your brand is one of the most critical aspects of your business, which is why it’s
essential to define it early on. When determining your brand identity, think about how
you want people to perceive your business, what makes your business unique from
others like it, and what you want people to associate with your business.
  Create your mining business Website
A significant part of starting a mine is promoting it to potential customers and investors.
Website marketing has become the most potent form of marketing today. The easiest
way to market your business is via the internet; creating your Mining Business Website
can boost your business tremendously.

 Set up your business Phone System

Setting up a phone system for your business is one of the first things you should do as a
new mining company. Your phone number is the first thing people see when searching
for a mining company online. You must have a unique and catchy number so people will
remember it and use it in their search queries.

 Find Suppliers
You will need to find suppliers for most of the services you will be offering. There are
many different types of suppliers that you can choose from depending on what kind of
service you want to provide. Some suppliers will only offer their services in certain
areas, while others may offer them all over Australia.

 Calculate Overheads
Before running any business, you must calculate all your overheads before beginning to
ensure that everything runs smoothly once the company is up and running.

 Calculate your mining business startup cost

Your startup cost may vary depending on the size of your operations and the nature of
your product. Even if you are operating a small-scale operation, you will still need some
capital to start up and keep things running smoothly.

 Choose a location for Starting a Mining Company

The location of your mining company should be the next step. You will want to find a
place where there is demand for your product or service and where it is legal to mine for
that product or service. It would help if you also looked for areas with a good
infrastructure surrounding them because once your company gets started, you’ll need to
transport your products elsewhere where they can be sold at a profit and used by
consumers.

 Obtain financing
As much as investors can quickly provide the finance you need to start your mining
company, one thing you should keep in mind is that there are several other business
opportunities available for investors, so you have to convince them that yours is better.
When you can do this, getting financed will not be a problem.
  Test the waters
To determine if it is worth starting a mining company, you have to test-run it. This will
help you know if indeed you will be making money from it or not. You can test run by
finding out what people want and selling it at an affordable price.

 Get your equipment, tools, and employees ready

Once you are registered, you will need to get all the mining equipment and tools ready
before starting a mining operation. You must also hire employees that are dedicated to
working on the site. The number of employees required will depend upon the size of
your mining site and the amount of work that needs to be done on it.

 Start marketing your mining company

You cannot run a successful business without marketing your products or services.
Therefore, you must create a strong marketing team to help promote and sell your
products. Some of the marketing strategies you should consider include creating an
informative website, using social media platforms, and advertising your products on
relevant forums and blogs.

 Consider risk factors involved in the business

The truth is that working and operating a mining company can be risky considering the
various hazards such as collapsing mine shafts, explosives, and accidents that may occur
while doing business. Therefore, you should take time and consider the different risks
involved with this type of business before investing your money in it. You must consult
with insurance experts to help you find appropriate insurance coverage for your mining
company.

 Choose a lawyer
Look for a lawyer willing to give you a flat fee quote, so you don’t get surprises later. In
addition to charging hourly rates or flat fees, some lawyers also work on contingency,
which means they take a percentage of any proceeds or settlements you receive. Choose
someone who is easily accessible and responsive when you need it. Please find out your
lawyer’s communication style and make sure it suits you well
  There are currently hundreds of grant programs, loan programs, and assistance programs
available from the Australian government. Many of these grant and loan programs are
specific to the businesses in the Mining Industry. In addition, private funding sources
want to work with startups within the Mining Industry as well. Be sure that you use all of
these sources of funding to get the best funding results for your small business.
 Launching your own small business doesn’t have to be difficult. Regardless of your
experience or how far you’ve gotten in the start-up process, AustraliaStartups is ready to
offer you the support and guidance you need to get your business off the ground.

AUSTRALIA - INDIA
ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND TRADE AGREEMENT

Over the next 20 years, a growing India will need many of Australia's goods and services,
including agriculture, critical minerals, education and skills training, and healthcare. From 29
December 2022, the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) will
open new markets for exporters and service suppliers in many sectors and bring us closer to one
of our most important Indo-Pacific partners.

ECTA will secure Australia's foothold in the world's fastest growing major economy and enable
Australian businesses to unlock or expand their operations in a market of nearly one and a half
billion people. ECTA is a stepping-stone towards a full Australia-India Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). It provides for competitive tariff elimination or
tariff reduction on a wide range of key Australian goods exports and opens new services markets
for suppliers in sectors that complement India's domestic reform priorities. India is one of
Australia's most important trading partners, currently our seventh largest, and our economies are
highly complementary. Australian resources and other commodities such as wool and cotton are
important inputs that drive Indian industry. India is also a growing market for Australia's world
leading critical minerals and resources sectors. Australian services are increasingly sought after
in India, with Australian services exports nearly doubling in value over the past decade, and
many untapped opportunities remain. ECTA builds on this strong foundation, delivering new
opportunities for trade diversification for Australian businesses and providing important first
mover advantages in this burgeoning market, ahead of our competitors.
ECTA will enable Australian goods exporters to obtain preferential access to the enormous
untapped Indian market. Indian tariffs on over 90 per cent of Australia’s goods exports to India
by value will be eliminated. Tariffs on over 85 per cent of our exports will be eliminated on 29
December 2022, and tariffs on a further 5 per cent of our exports will be phased to 0 per cent
over 2, 4 or 6 years. In addition, high tariffs will be substantially reduced for some key
agriculture products. These results are commercially significant for up to $14.8 billion worth of
Australia's current merchandise trade destined for India each year and will tariffs will open the
door for Australian goods exports and create new opportunities, including where trade was
previously not economically feasible due to high tariffs. Lower Australian tariffs could lower the
price of imported products from India and increase the variety of goods available to Australian
consumers. Key Australian goods that will enter duty free as soon as the agreement enters into
force include: • sheep meat, wool, barley, oats, hides and skins, fresh rock lobster, LNG, metallic
ores such as manganese, copper and zirconium, coal, alumina, titanium dioxide, certain critical
minerals, certain non-ferrous metals, cosmetics and railway equipment.
  Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Australia continues to streamline business, policy and investment processes that, in combination
with a proven record of environmental, social, financial, legal and political stability, make
Australia the smart, secure choice for exploration and project investment.

Below is information on federal, state and territory legislation, policies and guidelines for mining
and exploratory projects.
 Legislation
 Exploration reporting
 Foreign investment
 Environmental policy
 Taxation

1. Legislation
o Commonwealth legislation

The Australian Commonwealth government administers policy for mineral and petroleum
exploration in Australia's offshore areas. Responsibility for onshore legislation lies with
Australia's states and territories.
 Offshore mineral legislation 
 Offshore petroleum legislation

The Energy Council Cabinet Reform Committee (ENCRC) replaced the former Council of

Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council following the disbandment of COAG in May
2020. Energy Ministers work closely with Energy Consumers Australia, and have oversight of
the following energy market institutions responsible for the operation of national energy markets:
 the Energy Security Board (ESB)—whole of system oversight through transition
 the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)—the rule maker and market
development adviser
 the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)—the system operator
 the Australian Energy Regulator (AER)—the economic regulator and rule enforcer.

Like many countries, Australia reviews foreign investment proposals on a case-by-case basis to
ensure they are not contrary to the national interest. See Foreign Investment Review Board for
more information.
 o State and territory legislation
New South Wales
 All legislation
 Applying to explore or mine in NSW
Northern Territory
 All legislation
 Mining, petroleum and geothermal legislation
 Forms, procedures and guidelines
 Guide to mineral exploration in the Northern Territory
Queensland
 Legislation, applications and compliance
South Australia
 All legislation
 Mining legislation
 Exploration Licensing
 Petroleum information
Tasmania
 Mineral Resources Development Act 1995
 Mineral Resources Regulations 2016
 Mining (Strategic Prospectivity Zones) Act 1993
Victoria
 Energy and earth resources legislation
Western Australia
 Mining legislation and compliance
 Resources safety legislation and compliance
 Petroleum and geothermal exploration legislation and schedules
  Foreign investment

The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is a non-statutory body established in 1976 to

advise the Treasurer and the Government on Australia's foreign investment policy and its
administration.

Like many countries, Australia reviews foreign investment proposals on a case-by-case basis to
ensure they are not contrary to the national interest. The review framework is well-established,
practical and non-discriminatory. Most proposals are considered within 30 days and Australia
rarely rejects or imposes conditions on foreign investment business proposals. Since 2001 only
three resources-related business proposals have been rejected.

You can find out more by going to the Foreign Investment Review Board website.

 Environmental policy

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the
Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal
framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna,
ecological communities and heritage places - defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national
environmental significance. The EPBC Act enables the Australian Government to join with the
states and territories in providing a truly national scheme of environment and heritage protection
and biodiversity conservation.

The Department of the Environment designs and implements the Australian Government's
policies and programmes to protect and conserve the environment, water and heritage and
promote climate action. You can find out more about the EPBC Act on their website.

The EPBC Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage matters of national
environmental significance. The EPBC legislation applies to any activity that is likely to have a
significant impact on identified matters of national significance. EPBC approval may be required
for certain actions or activities that affect Australia's environment, for example when mining or
exploration activities may impact on water resources.

 Taxation

Those currently investing, or considering investing, in minerals and petroleum exploration and
development in Australia, should be considering the taxation implications. The Australian
Taxation Office (ATO) has a considerable amount of related material available.
  Minerals specific taxation

The state and Northern Territory  governments collect royalties on mineral production in return
for granting the right to private businesses to exploit mineral resources within their jurisdictions.
With limited exceptions, these take the form of output-based royalties imposed as a percentage
of the value of production or, less commonly, the volume of production. Royalty payments are a
deduction for company income tax purposes.

Royalty systems on minerals across Australian states and the Northern Territory vary by both
jurisdiction and commodity.

 Mining regulation 
The Australian Government does not regulate WHS (Work, Health & Safety)  in the mining
industry. WHS  in the mining industry is regulated by states and territories. 

A summary of the WHS  (Work, Health & Safety) regulatory framework for mining is
set out below. 

Jurisdiction  Mining legislative framework 

New South Wales  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 
 Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 
 Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 
More information about NSW’s WHS regulatory framework for mining is available at
the NSW Resources Regulator. 
Victoria  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through: 
 Chapter 5.3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017  
More information about Victoria’s WHS regulatory framework for mining is available
at WorkSafe Victoria. 
Queensland  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 
 Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 
 Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 
 Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 
 Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 
More information about Queensland’s WHS regulatory framework for mining is
available at the Queensland Government website. 

Western Australia  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 

 Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 
  Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 
More information on Western Australia’s WHS regulatory framework for mining is
available at the Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety. 
South Australia  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through: 
 Chapter 10 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) 
More information is available at SafeWork South Australia. 
Tasmania  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 
 Mines Work Health and Safety (Supplementary Requirements) Act 2012 
 Mines Work Health and Safety (Supplementary Requirements) Regulations
2012 
More information about Tasmania’s WHS regulatory framework for mining is
available at WorkSafe Tasmania. 
Australian Capital WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 
Territory 
 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 
 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 

Northern Territory  WHS requirements for mining are regulated through the: 

 Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 
 Chapter 10 (Mines) of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform
Legislation) Regulations 
More information is available at the Northern Territory Worksafe website. 

 What does a small mining company/ supplying business entail? 

A mining business works with extracting natural rocks and minerals from the Earth that is used
for commercial purposes. A small mining company or supplying business uses a small workforce
with basic tools to extract the minerals and supplies to a few partners/local retailers. 

Mining businesses can commercially provide minerals to energy production companies,

jewellery businesses, etc. 

Getting started: The Pre-Planning Steps

To have a successful mining business, it is necessary to understand the industry itself. Although
it may be difficult to begin directly mining a region, you can offer a number of services to start.
These services include consultancy, transportation, machine sales, risk assessment services,
equipment leasing and safety services. Accordingly, it is necessary to understand these specific
areas of the mining industry.

This means having practical, theoretical and technical expertise required for the business. There
are a number of ways to build these skills. A few of these educational channels include tertiary
classes, as well as online tutorials.

Further, given the volatile nature of the mining industry, it is necessary to stay up to date with the
news and trends occurring. This will be a significant portion of the continued learning that will
be necessary to succeed.

 Research 

Further, given the volatile nature of the mining industry, it is necessary to stay up to date with the
news and trends occurring. This will be a significant portion of the continued learning that will
be necessary to succeed.

 Create a Business Plan

Creating a business plan is essential for your long-term success. Business plans should cover the
direction of your business, competitors in your area or sector, funding options, costs and
expenses as well as projected profits and growth plans. This is a document that you can produce
to investors to secure funding. 

 Your business plan can also help you answer the following questions:

 What kind of business am I establishing?

You will need to determine if your small mining business will mine a variety of resources, only
minerals, only gems, a certain resource, etc. 

 What kind of customers can I attract?

Your small mining business will require a customer base in order for commercial success. If you
are planning to mine gemstones, your potential clients could range from local gemstone-dealers
and jewellery stores to individual gemstone enthusiasts. 

 Acquire Funding

You can organise your spending by creating an estimate of your monthly, quarterly and annual
profits. This can help you in determining if you will need to acquire additional funding, either
through personal savings, loans, or investors to fund your business before your profits are able to
cover your operation costs. 

 Establish Your Business

Although establishing your mining business can be intimidating, a simple checklist can ease this
process. In Australia, you should prioritise the following:

1. Registering your business

Your mining business, like all businesses in Australia,  needs to be registered. In order to register
your business you will need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) using your
business name to be able to operate in Australia. An ABN also enables you to apply for the
goods and services tax (GST) concessions.

2. Open a business bank account to separate your funds

3. Seek legal assistance to create legal contracts to use with your clients
For further information, please see the Australian Business License and Information Service to
learn about the laws you need to follow based on the specifics of your business.

How to Choose the Best Business Structure 

The success of your business can also be dependent on the structure you choose for your
business. Some business structures can provide risk-protection and tax-benefits whereas some
might create higher tax-liability than other structures. 

 Sole trader: This can be a low-cost option for an individual running the business. A sole-
trader and their company are considered the same entity and hence they are responsible
for the company’s debts and obligations.
 Partnership: A partnership is controlled by two or more people who also share the debts
and obligations of the company.
 Company: A company has a complex structure and can legally sue and be sued. In other
words, it is a legal entity in itself. Companies are incorporated under the Corporations
Act 2001 (Cth) and are governed by the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC).
You can decide your business structure based on some of the following factors:
 1. Ownership: If you want to co-own the company with another partner, you can register as
a partnership. Here, the obligations of the company will be divided out between the
partners.
2. Taxation: In Australia a company has a lower tax rate than the highest tax bracket for
individuals. Therefore, registering as a company can have lower tax obligations.
However, companies might have higher regulatory costs.

Advertise your business

Now that you have set up your business and hired a group of talented employees, you will also
need to set up a marketing team to advertise and market your warehouse to potential clients.
Your marketing team would run outreach programs, use social media or new outlets to advertise
your products and services to the right audience. With effective marketing you can quickly create
a loyal customer base. 

 Mining Supply Business and the Legalities 

Once you are set to start your business, you will need to apply for a mining licence depending on
the region where your mining business will be operational. 

 Queensland: In Queensland, you need to apply for a mining lease. Before the lease is
granted, you will need to meet approval requirements, such as environmental approvals,
native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage agreements, private landowners
compensation and addressing any objections to the application. 
 Western Australia: In Western Australia, you need to apply for a mining licence subject
to approval on other requirements such as 
 Tasmania: You can apply for a mining licence based on the mineral you are hoping to
extract. 
 New South Wales (NSW): In NSW, you can apply for an exploration or mining lease. If
you apply for a mining lease you must demonstrate that the area has viable resources in
the area and that you have the funding to conduct mining.
 Victoria: You can apply for an exploration licence, a mining licence, a prospecting
licence, retention licence or buy a miner’s right to conduct any mining activity in
Victoria.
 South Australia: You can apply for a mining licence or exploration licence  based on
your needs in South Australia. An exploration licence does not grant mining rights.
So, depending on your area of operation, you can apply for licences and permits. You can only
begin mining activity upon approval of your mining permit. This can be a complicated
process. Talking to a lawyer can help streamline this process. 

 PESTEL analysis of Australia

This detailed PESTEL analysis of Australia aims to address some of the political, economic,
social, technological, environmental, and legal factors that affect Australia today. Australia is
one of the best countries to live in the world. It is also a powerful country and plays a
considerable role in the global economy and politics.

Political environment in Australia

Australia is a constitutional monarchy with Charles III (the King of the United Kingdom and the
other Commonwealth realms) as the head of state. The King of Australia is represented by the
Governor-General at the federal level and by the Governors at the state level. The Prime Minister
is the head of government of Australia.

 Canberra is the capital of Australia and Sydney is the largest city in the country. The total area
of Australia is 7,741,220 square kilometres that makes it the 6 th largest country in the world
(O’Neill, 2023). The neighbouring countries are Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, the
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Zealand.

 Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, OECD, G20 and the World Trade
Organisation. It maintains a very close association with the United States. It has a safe and stable
political environment.

However, the country drew a lot of criticisms over a number of issues in the past. For instance,
its deportation laws were criticised by Justice Minister of New Zealand. Similarly, the UN
criticised Australia for its failures in areas such as the protection of human rights, Indigenous
rights, and the treatment of refugees.

 Economic environment in Australia

The next element to address in the PESTEL analysis of Australia is the economic environment.
Australia is the 13th largest economy in the world.  Its GDP is expected to reach $1571.00 billion
US dollars by the end of 2023 (Trading Economics, 2023).

 All companies in Australia are subjected to a federal tax rate of 30% on their taxable income.
However, small businesses pay a reduced tax rate of 25% (PwC, 2023). Individual tax rates vary
depending on the income of the individuals.

Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with a strong and vibrant economy. It is
a major exporter of commodities, including minerals, agricultural products, and natural gas. It is
also a major importer of consumer goods, technology, and services.
 Vehicles, machinery, mineral fuels including oil, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, electrical
machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical apparatus, precious metals, plastics, and
furniture are some of the key imports of Australia.

 On the other hand, iron ore, gold, coal, natural gas, beef, wheat, financial services, educational
services, and copper are some of Australia’s top exports. Its major trading partners are China,
Japan, Germany, India, USA, Thailand, and South Korea (OEC, 2023).

 Australia is a popular tourist destination, with visitors from all over the world flocking to the
country to experience its unique culture, stunning scenery, and vibrant cities. It is home to some
of the world’s most iconic attractions, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef,
and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There are also many smaller attractions, such as
beaches, national parks, and wildlife reserves.

  Social environment in Australia

Australia is one of the best countries to live in the world in terms of wealth, education, health,
and quality of life. Compared to other major economies, it has a relatively small population of
around 26.2 million (Worldometer, 2023).

 The life expectancy in Australia for men is 80 years while 84 years for women. However,
having more retirees and fewer people of working age is an area of concern for the country.

 Australia is one of the most multicultural and multiracial countries in the world. It has an
important heritage from its indigenous people who are believed to have migrated from Asia
many thousands of years before the arrival of British settlers in 1788. It adopted a policy of mass
immigration after the Second World War; however, migration is a politically sensitive issue in
Australia.

 Australia has a good number of public and private universities which attract a lot of international
students every year. In fact, international students now make up more than a quarter of
enrolments at some universities in the country. Most of the international students come from
countries such as China, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil & Colombia.

 Australians are generally lively, hardworking, and outward looking. They spend a lot of their
spare time in playing or watching sports. In fact, Australia is one of the world’s best in many
sports e.g. cricket, hockey, and swimming. Its sport sector makes a significant contribution to the
country’s GDP.

Australia has a universal healthcare system, which provides free or low-cost medical services to
all citizens. The system is funded by the government, and it covers a wide range of treatments
and services.
 However, Australia needs to work more on issues such as indigenous rights, discrimination,
refugee rights, harassment, incarceration of children, and homelessness. These issues are very
important to many Australians according to different surveys.

Technological environment in Australia

Technological environment is another key element in this PESTEL analysis of Australia.

Australia is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. It is well-known for
adopting new technologies at a faster rate than many other developed countries. It has witnessed
an enormous growth in technology over the years.

The government is investing heavily in the digital economy, with the aim of creating a more
connected and efficient economy. It is also investing in new technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.

 Australia is also a leader in the renewable energy sector, with the country’s solar and wind
industries having grown significantly in recent years. However, the government needs to invest
heavily in renewable energy, with the aim of making the country’s energy supply more
sustainable.

 Local companies are investing in technologies to meet the growing demands of their customers.
Computers & equipment, software, tech consultancy services, cloud, and artificial intelligence
are likely to drive these investments which should result in more innovation and designs.

 However, many analysts are of the view that Australia has a long way to go if it would like to
challenge tech hubs in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US. It also has shortage of
digitally skilled workers.

Environmental factors in Australia

Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with stunning beaches, mountains,
and forests. It is also widely known for its brilliant biodiversity. In fact, more than one million
species of plants and animals are found in the country. No wonder why millions of overseas
visitors visit the country every year!

 However, Australia faces some environmental challenges. For instance, Australia is the driest
inhabited continent on earth. Likewise, climate change is also a great challenge. A recent Senate
inquiry has concluded that climate change is a ‘current and existential national security risk’ to
Australia.

 Water insecurity, the spread of infectious diseases, and regional conflicts over food, water and
land are some of the potential outcomes of climate change. Therefore, Australia needs to do
more to tackle these challenges.

 Legal environment in Australia

The last element to address in the PESTEL analysis of Australia is the legal landscape of the
country. In order to ensure fair trading for both businesses and consumers, Australia has fair
trading laws, competition laws, and consumer laws. The Fair Work Act 2009 is the primary piece
of legislation that governs employment in the country.

 Likewise, privacy laws deal with how businesses handle the personal information of their
customers. Australia has an independent legal system, which is based on the common law
system. The country’s legal system is overseen by the High Court of Australia, which is the
highest court in the country.

 Summary of PESTEL analysis of Australia

Australia is a vibrant and diverse country, with a rich history and culture. It has a strong
economy, a thriving tourism industry, and a highly developed infrastructure. It is also doing very
well in the technology sector, with a strong focus on innovation and research.

 However, Australia needs to work more on issues such as lack of tech workers, indigenous and
refugee rights, climate, change, harassment, and homelessness.