To start a Shopify store in Australia: (1) Sign up at Shopify.com for a free trial (first 3 months: AU$1/month), (2) pick your store name and check domain availability, (3) choose a theme, (4) add your products, (5) set up Shopify Payments AU for 0% transaction fees, (6) connect your .com.au domain and launch. Total time: under an hour.
How to Start a Shopify Store in Australia: Complete Guide 2026
Starting an online store in Australia has never been easier. Shopify makes it possible to launch in under an hour with no coding required. Here's the complete step-by-step process.
Why Australians Choose Shopify
Australia has 100,000+ Shopify stores, and for good reason:
- Shopify Payments AU — Get paid directly to your Australian bank account with 0% transaction fees
- Local currency — Prices in AUD, no currency conversion confusion
- 24/7 support — Available in your timezone
- Multiple payment methods — Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, EFTPOS
- First 3 months: Just AU$1/month
Step-by-Step: Start Your Shopify Store
1. Sign Up for Free
Head to Shopify.com and click "Start free trial."
- Enter your email
- Set a password
- No credit card required for the 14-day free trial (or first 3 months at AU$1/month for new merchants)
Takes 5 minutes.
2. Choose Your Store Name
This is your Shopify store's temporary domain (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com). You'll connect your real domain later.
Pro tip: Use Namecheckly to check if your business name is available across domains and social media before creating your Shopify store. You want consistency.
3. Pick a Theme
Shopify has 100+ free and premium themes:
- Browse the theme store
- Pick one that matches your brand
- Customize colors, fonts, and layout (no coding)
Free themes are great to start. You can upgrade later if needed.
4. Add Your Products
- Upload product photos
- Write descriptions
- Set prices in AUD
- Manage inventory
Shopify guides you through each step. If you're dropshipping or print-on-demand, Shopify integrates with suppliers like Printful and Spocket.
5. Set Up Shopify Payments AU
This is critical for getting paid:
- Go to Settings → Payments
- Select Shopify Payments
- Enter your Australian bank details
- Verify your identity
Shopify deposits every 2 days with 0% transaction fees.
6. Connect Your Domain
- Buy a
.com.auor.comdomain on Namecheap - Go to Settings → Domains in Shopify
- Add your domain and follow DNS instructions
Your store is now live at your custom domain.
7. Launch & Market
- Share on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
- Add Google Business profile for local SEO
- Ask friends to share
Australian Business Registration Checklist
✅ Domain: Register .com.au for local credibility
✅ Social handles: Claim matching usernames on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok
✅ ABN: Register with the Australian Taxation Office
✅ ASIC: Register your business for legal protection
✅ Trademark: File with IP Australia to protect your brand
✅ Shopify Payments AU: Set up for direct bank deposits
Start selling today
Start with a free trial, then $1/month for your first 3 months. No developer required.
Shopify Pricing in Australia (AUD)
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | AU$45/mo | Starting out |
| Shopify | AU$79/mo | Growing stores (recommended) |
| Advanced | AU$450/mo | Scaling businesses |
First 3 months: AU$1/month for new merchants. Annual billing saves ~25%.
Common Questions
How long does it take to launch?
Under an hour if you have products ready. Setup is fast; content creation takes longer.
Can I sell internationally?
Yes. Shopify lets you set shipping rates and currency options for any country.
What if I don't know how to code?
Shopify's drag-and-drop editor requires zero coding. You can customize everything visually.
Can I integrate with social media?
Yes. Sell directly on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook from your Shopify dashboard.
Next Steps
- Start your free Shopify trial (first 3 months: AU$1/month)
- Browse Shopify store name ideas by niche
- Check your business name availability
- Learn more about Shopify in Australia
Ready to launch? Start your Shopify store today — first 3 months for just AU$1/month. No credit card required. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
