Australian ecommerce is a A$63 billion market growing at 12% annually. Australians are enthusiastic online shoppers — and uniquely, they adopted Buy Now Pay Later earlier and more broadly than almost any other nation. If you are building a Shopify store for Australia, getting BNPL, GST, and logistics right is the difference between a mediocre launch and a brand that competes with THE ICONIC.
Shopify Payments Australia
Shopify Payments is fully available in Australia, accepting Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. AUD payouts arrive in your Australian bank account within 2–3 business days. It is the simplest starting point for most new Australian merchants.
BNPL in Australia: Afterpay, Zip, and Humm Compared
| Provider | Merchant Fee | Order Limit | Shopify Integration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afterpay | 4–6% | A$2,000 | Native | Fashion, beauty |
| Zip Pay | 2–3% | A$1,000 | Native app | Electronics, homewares |
| Zip Money | 2–3% | A$5,000 | Native app | High-ticket items |
| Humm | 1.5–3% | A$30,000 | App | Furniture, health |
Afterpay dominates fashion and beauty — it is effectively expected on any clothing or cosmetics store. Zip Money’s higher order limits make it ideal for electronics and furniture. Humm’s A$30,000 limit is unique in the market and suits medical, dental, and large home improvement purchases.
Australian GST: 10% Setup on Shopify
Australian GST is a flat 10% on most goods and services. GST registration is mandatory once you reach A$75,000 in annual turnover (A$150,000 for non-profit organisations). In Shopify, go to Settings → Taxes → Australia and Shopify will automatically calculate 10% GST. Enable “Include tax in product prices” to show GST-inclusive pricing, which is the Australian Consumer Law standard for B2C displays. Your ABN must appear on all tax invoices for sales over A$82.50.
For a complete Australian Shopify configuration including GST invoicing, BNPL setup, and logistics integrations, explore our Shopify development services.
Shipping: AusPost and Sendle
Australia Post is the default choice for domestic parcels and integrates directly with Shopify via the AusPost app. Sendle offers competitive flat-rate pickup services for small businesses without Australia Post’s weight surcharges — particularly cost-effective for parcels under 5kg in metro areas. For international shipments, DHL and StarTrack (AusPost’s express arm) are the standard choices.
Australian Consumer Law: Mandatory 12-Month Warranty
Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), all goods must meet consumer guarantees — effectively a mandatory minimum warranty of 12 months for most products, longer for goods expected to last. You cannot legally disclaim these guarantees. Your Shopify return policy must reflect ACL rights alongside any additional voluntary warranty you offer. “No refunds” policies are illegal in Australia.
Competing with THE ICONIC and Kogan
THE ICONIC wins on range and free returns. Kogan wins on price. Independent Shopify brands win on brand story, product curation, and customer experience. Lean into subscription boxes, personalised recommendations (via Shopify’s native product recommendations), and loyalty programmes (LoyaltyLion or Smile.io) to build repeat purchase rates that marketplace sellers cannot replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afterpay available on Shopify in Australia?
Yes. Afterpay has a native Shopify integration available in the Shopify App Store. It can be added alongside Shopify Payments or any other gateway. Afterpay pays you in full immediately and carries the credit risk — your merchant fee is deducted from each payout.
Do I need an ABN to run a Shopify store in Australia?
You do not legally need an ABN to start selling, but payment gateways and suppliers will require one. If you earn over A$75,000 per year, GST registration (which requires an ABN) is mandatory. Most serious Australian businesses register an ABN before their first sale.
Can Australian Shopify stores sell internationally?
Yes. Shopify Markets allows you to create localised international storefronts with different currencies, languages, and duty calculations. Popular export markets for Australian brands include the UK, US, and New Zealand — all supported natively within Shopify’s multi-market framework.
Ready to Grow Your Shopify Store?
Our Shopify experts at OneOnic have helped hundreds of brands launch, optimise, and scale. Let’s talk about your project.
