Oceania

Norfolk Island

Corporate rate
Australian federal rates apply
Top personal rate
Australian federal rates apply
VAT / GST rate
None (excluded)
One-sentence summary Norfolk Island is an external territory of Australia that historically had its own separate, notably lighter tax system - but this changed significantly: as part of 2015-2016 governance reforms, Australian federal income tax law (but notably not GST, which was specifically excluded) was extended to Norfolk Island, ending its previous distinct low-tax status.

Tax System

Norfolk Island is an external territory of Australia. Following the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015 and related 2016 reforms integrating Norfolk Island more closely into the Australian federal system, Australian Commonwealth income tax law was extended to Norfolk Island residents from 1 July 2016 - ending Norfolk Island's previous decades-long status as a separate, notably lower-taxed jurisdiction from mainland Australia. Per the Australian Taxation Office, indirect taxes (GST, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax, and customs/excise duties) were specifically excluded from this extension and do not apply to Norfolk Island (see VAT/GST Rate below); the superannuation guarantee is being phased in gradually, reaching the standard 12% rate on 1 July 2027; and capital gains tax applies only to gains accruing after 1 July 2016 on assets not already subject to Australian income tax, with a permanent grandfather exemption for assets held before 24 October 2015.

Tax Year & Key Deadlines

Norfolk Island follows the Australian financial year (1 July to 30 June), consistent with its integration into the Australian federal tax system (see Tax System above).

Corporate Tax Rate

Following the 2016 integration (see Tax System above), standard Australian federal corporate tax rates apply to Norfolk Island companies on the same basis as mainland Australia.

Personal Tax Rate

Following the 2016 integration, standard Australian federal personal income tax rates and brackets apply to Norfolk Island residents. A grandfathered capital gains tax exemption applies to assets held before 24 October 2015, and the superannuation guarantee rate continues phasing in gradually until it reaches the standard 12% on 1 July 2027 (see Tax System above).

VAT / GST Rate

Norfolk Island's own local GST ceased on 1 July 2016 as part of the federal integration, but Australia's federal GST was specifically NOT extended to Norfolk Island: per the Australian Taxation Office, GST, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax, and fuel tax credits do not apply to transactions on Norfolk Island, unlike most other federal taxes that were extended. Norfolk Island businesses should not charge GST, advertise GST-inclusive prices, or issue GST invoices for transactions there.

Residency

Norfolk Island follows standard Australian residency tests following its 2016 integration into the federal tax system.

Permanent Establishment

A non-resident entity has a Norfolk Island permanent establishment on the same basis as elsewhere in Australia, following the OECD Model Treaty definition as applied under Australian domestic law and any applicable Australian tax treaty.

CFC (Controlled Foreign Company) Rules

Australia's own CFC regime applies to Norfolk Island residents following the 2016 federal tax integration.

Thin Capitalization

Australia's own thin capitalization rules (see Australia's page) apply to Norfolk Island following the 2016 integration.

Hybrid Entity Rules

Australia's own anti-hybrid rules (see Australia's page) apply to Norfolk Island following the 2016 integration.

Foreign Bank Account / Foreign Financial Asset Reporting

No foreign bank account or foreign financial asset reporting regime exists in Norfolk Island beyond Australia's own standard system (see Australia's page).

Participation Exemption

Australia's own participation exemption treatment for foreign dividends (see Australia's page) applies to Norfolk Island companies following the 2016 integration.

Foreign Tax Credit

Australia's own foreign tax credit regime (see Australia's page) applies to Norfolk Island residents and companies following the 2016 integration.

Treaty Network

Norfolk Island benefits from Australia's own double tax treaty network following its 2016 federal tax integration, since treaty-making is an Australian Commonwealth competency.

Official tax authority: Australian Taxation Office (ATO) - ato.gov.au (following the 2016 federal integration; Norfolk Island no longer has a separate tax administration)
Sources: General knowledge of Norfolk Island's well-documented 2015-2016 governance and tax integration reforms extending Australian federal tax law to the territory; confirm current transitional status directly with the ATO given the relatively recent nature of this change. Page last verified: August 09, 2026. General information only - confirm current rates and any specific position with a licensed advisor in this jurisdiction before relying on this page.