Offshore Trust Setup for Australian Business Owners
Use offshore trusts as the outer layer of protection for your wealth – when you’re at the stage they genuinely make sense.
- Find out if you’re at the point where an offshore trust is appropriate
- See what a layered protection plan (onshore + offshore) could look like
- Get a clear, legal plan before you spend a cent on complex overseas structures
As Seen on
Introducing The WealthSafe System
Why some Australians use offshore trusts
Once you’ve built up real wealth, your problems change. You’re no longer worried about “getting ahead”; you’re worried about keeping what you have – and what happens to it if things go wrong.
Offshore trusts are one of the tools used at the outer ring of a protection and succession plan. For the right people, they:
- Put more distance between key assets and day-to-day risks
- Make it harder for the wrong people to get at your capital
- Help you control how wealth passes across borders and generations
They are not for everyone, and they are not a magic solution. Used at the right time, for the right reasons, they can be a powerful final layer around the parts of your wealth that matter most.
Who this service is for (and who it isn’t)
Best suited for:
- Australian business owners and investors with significant assets (e.g. substantial business equity, multiple properties, large portfolios, sizeable cash/crypto holdings)
- People who already have basic structuring in place (companies, Australian trusts) and are now looking at the next level of protection and succession
- Owners who want a more robust “plan B” for part of their wealth across jurisdictions and generations
Not a fit if:
- You’re still in the early accumulation phase with a relatively modest balance sheet
- You mainly want to hide money or dodge legitimate obligations rather than protect what’s legitimately yours
- You’re looking for a quick, cheap trust in a famous jurisdiction with no broader strategy
If you’re at the stage where you’d feel genuinely uncomfortable having all of your wealth exposed to one legal system or event, this service is designed for you.
What an offshore trust actually is
An outer shell around part of your wealth
In simple terms, an offshore trust is a legal structure set up in another country that owns certain assets instead of you personally. It typically has:
- A trustee – often a professional firm based in that jurisdiction
- A trust deed – the rules for how the trust operates
- One or more beneficiaries – usually you, your family, and/or entities you control
You don’t use an offshore trust to run day-to-day business. You use it as an outer shell around selected assets – so there’s more distance, more structure and more thought between those assets and the everyday risks of your life and work.
How offshore trusts work with your existing structure
An offshore trust doesn’t replace your Australian companies and trusts; it sits outside them. In many plans, the offshore trust:
- Owns one or more holding companies (onshore or offshore) that hold your assets or investments
- Sits above your Australian structures so your businesses and properties can keep operating while part of the underlying wealth is further away from the line of fire
- Is designed so you still have appropriate influence, but the capital is not sitting in your name or a simple local entity
We help you design how much sits inside that outer shell, who it benefits, and how it connects back to the rest of your world.
When offshore trusts are usually considered
Offshore trusts tend to be considered when:
- You have substantial wealth and a higher-risk profile (e.g. complex businesses, guarantees, exposure to litigation or regulators)
- Your family and assets are spread across countries – children studying or living overseas, multiple passports, foreign property or investments
- You’re already partway through a move offshore and want a more resilient long-term structure for wealth and estate planning
- You want to lock in a plan for how certain assets will be held and passed on, even if laws or circumstances change in any one country
They are not usually the first move. For many, they are the final piece once everything else is in order.
Benefits and risks for Australian business owners
Potential benefits
More distance from everyday risks
Key assets are held further away from operational, personal and local legal risks than they would be in your own name or a simple company.
Stronger succession and legacy planning
You can hard-wire how certain assets are to be held, used and passed on – across borders and generations – instead of hoping things fall into place.
Jurisdictional diversification
Part of your wealth is governed by a different legal system, which can be valuable in certain long-term or high-risk scenarios.
Key Risks
Complexity and cost
Offshore trusts are not simple or cheap. Using them too early, or for the wrong assets, is a waste.
Wrong jurisdiction or trustee
Picking a jurisdiction or trustee based on marketing rather than fit can create ongoing friction and risk.
Buying the tool before the plan
A trust with no clear role in your bigger picture is a structure you’ll pay to fix or unwind later.
We only recommend offshore trusts when the benefits are obvious in your specific case – and when the simpler options have already been used.
How the offshore trust setup process works
Clarify whether a trust belongs in your plan
On your free suitability call we get a top-line view of your assets, risks, family situation and current structures to see whether you’re even in the range where an offshore trust might make sense.
Design the role of the trust in your structure
In our strategy work we define what the trust would own, who it would benefit, how decisions would be made, and how it would connect to your companies and Australian trusts.
Set up the trust with the right partners
We work with vetted overseas trustees and advisers to establish the trust deed, appoint the right parties, and set up any holding companies or accounts the trust will use.
Integrate the trust into your tax, estate and offshore plans
Finally, we fit the trust into your overall tax, residency and estate planning so everything pulls in the same direction and your advisers are all on the same page.
Suitability Assessment (15 Min)
Stage 1
Suitability Assessment (Free – 15 Minutes)
Note: We will not provide advice on this call.
Offshore trusts are advanced tools. This short call exists to confirm whether you’re at the level and risk profile where they’re even worth discussing, and whether you’re a fit for our high-level planning work.
What Happens
We review your income, asset base, current structures, risks and family goals to see whether an offshore trust is something to consider now, later, or not at all.
No advice is given at this stage. You simply receive a clear, top-line sense of whether this is the right conversation for you.
What You Gain:
- Clarity on whether an offshore trust is on your horizon or not
- Confidence that you won’t rush into something too early
- A sensible next step, either way
“From our first Zoom to every follow-up, Virna and the team have been prompt, clear, and professional. We’re excited to have them guiding our financial future.”
Trevor Johns
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Strategy Report: Your Offshore Blueprint ($5k)
Your personalised Blueprint shows whether an offshore trust deserves a place in your structure, and if so, exactly what it would do.
What Happens
We take a detailed look at your balance sheet, risk profile, family/estate objectives and current onshore/offshore structures. We then design a protection and succession plan that may include an offshore trust as the outer layer – or may confirm that you’re better served staying with simpler tools for now.
Why It Matters
Offshore trusts should never be bought off a brochure. The Blueprint lets you see, on one page, how a trust would (or would not) fit into your life and business before you commit.
Inside Your Strategy Report:
- Recommendation on whether to use an offshore trust at all (and potential jurisdiction families)
- Clarity on what the trust would own, who it would benefit, and what problem it solves
- How the trust would interact with your companies and existing Australian trusts
Stage 2
Offshore Blueprint $5,000
“Virna quickly set up tax minimisation strategies with clear guidance throughout. I look forward to leveraging her support over the next year.”
Ben Smith
Full Setup & Implementation
Our team manages your offshore trust setup as part of your broader asset protection and offshore strategy, or works seamlessly with your existing advisers.
What Happens
Once your Blueprint is agreed and a trust is confirmed, we:
- Coordinate with chosen overseas trustees and legal teams to draft and settle the trust deed
- Set up any required holding companies and accounts the trust will use
- Make the necessary adjustments to your existing structures so the trust slots in smoothly
Why It Matters
Most trust problems come from rushed, cut-and-paste setups with no real integration. We implement the structure we designed, so your trust becomes a functioning part of your plan, not just a document in a drawer.
Your Options:
- We implement directly under our supervision
- We coordinate with your existing accountant and lawyer
- We provide oversight while your internal team executes against our plan
Stage 3
Full Implementation
“Virna and the team made complex processes simple and saved us significantly in taxes. Their attention to detail and positivity make them worth every cent.”
Haley
Compliance Certificate:
Your Legal Shield
Once implementation is complete, we include your offshore trust in a clear written summary of your structure – a “map” of how entities and key assets fit together.
What Happens
We document the trust’s role, what it owns, how it connects to your companies and Australian trusts, and what it’s there to achieve.
Why It Matters
If something happens to you, or you change advisers, you don’t want the trust to be a mystery. A clean summary makes it easier for the right people to follow the plan you’ve put in place.
What You Receive:
- Written summary of your trust’s place in your structure
- A reference your advisers (and future you, and your family) can use to keep everything aligned
- Confidence that your trust is understood, not just “some offshore thing”
Stage 4
Gold Standard Compliance Certificate
“The WealthSafe team listened closely, gave tailored advice, and delivered thorough results. I searched a long time for this level of professionalism—highly recommended.”
Jeromie
Ongoing Compliance Monitoring
We keep an eye on major legal and personal changes so your trust continues to make sense over time.
What Happens
As laws, banking practices and your own life circumstances change, our concierge team tracks what matters and lets you know when your trust and structure should be reviewed or tuned.
Why It Matters
The trust that made sense at one stage of life may need adjusting as your assets, family and the world evolve. Regular check-ins keep your plan current.
How We Protect You:
- Monitoring of key changes that affect offshore trusts and related structures
- Suggestions for adjustments when your risk profile or goals move
- Long-term peace of mind that your trust is still doing the job you set it up to do
Stage 5
Concierge Monitoring & Protection
“Virna and the WealthSafe team have been instrumental in helping us set and achieve our financial goals. We’re thrilled to have their support for the next year.”
James Oversy
Why work with WealthSafe instead of generic offshore trust promoters?
Most “offshore trust” marketing is one-size-fits-all: pick a trendy jurisdiction, buy a package, and hope it works. That might sell trusts, but it doesn’t build good plans.
With WealthSafe you get:
- Strategy before structures
We start with what you’re protecting, from what, and over what horizon – then decide whether a trust belongs at all. - Trusts as part of a ladder, not a standalone trick
Offshore trusts sit on top of solid onshore and offshore company structuring, not instead of it. - Integration with your existing world
We work with (or help you upgrade) your current advisers so everyone understands the trust and how it fits your tax, estate and business plans. - Ongoing support, not one-off paperwork
As your life and the world change, we help you keep your structure – including any trust – working for you.
If you only want to buy a “famous offshore trust” and hope for the best, we’re not the right fit. If you want a calm, professional way to use trusts as one part of a bigger protection plan, that’s what we do.
Introducing The WealthSafe System
How The WealthSafe System Fits Together
Moving yourself and your wealth out of the Australian tax net is not one decision. It is a chain of moves that all have tax, legal and lifestyle consequences.
The WealthSafe system is built to cover that whole journey end to end: from deciding if you should leave, to choosing where to live, designing your offshore structures, managing departure tax and keeping everything compliant as rules change. Every major milestone in your offshore journey is handled inside one integrated plan, so nothing critical slips through the cracks.
Exit Australian Tax Residency
Stop being taxed as an Australian resident with a clear, compliant exit that won’t invite avoidable ATO attention later.
Departure Tax & CGT Planning
Understand the tax impact of leaving – what you’ll owe, on which assets, and how to lawfully minimise that exposure before and after you move.
International Company & Offshore Structure Design
Put the right entities in the right places so more of your profits stay offshore – and your structure still holds up under Australian rules.
Strategic Residency Planning
Choose a residency path that supports your business, family and wealth plan, while keeping your position clear under Australian tax law.
Personal Residency Jurisdictions
Compare realistic residency options so you can choose a country that fits your lifestyle and long-term tax objectives, not just the headlines.
Offshore Compliance Review & Monitoring
Have your current setup checked – and kept up to date – so you’re not caught out by law changes or assumptions that no longer hold.
Customer Success
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Client Testimonial
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Competitor Comparison
WealthSafe vs Others
There is no comparison to the WealthSafe service for Australians. You simply can’t risk getting incorrect advice.
Features
Standard Accountants
ChatGPT
Strategic Tax Structuring (Beyond Tax Returns)
Advanced Asset Protection & Legacy Planning
Advanced Second Mortgage Strategy
Trust & Company Strategy (Properly Executed)
High level CGT Planning & Timing
ATO-Compliant Wealth Structures
Legal strategy backed by licensed professionals (tax lawyers, advisors, CGT experts, compliance team)
Ongoing Strategy Oversight
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About Us
About WealthSafe
WealthSafe exists to give successful Australians access to the same elite tax and asset protection strategies used by the rich and famous. These individuals pay top-dollar for advisors with deep insider knowledge, and until now, that level of advice has been out of reach for most.
We’re changing that.
Our team includes experts with rare insight into how tax, legal, and political systems actually operate, not just what’s written in theory. We turn that insider intelligence into practical, personalised strategies that reduce tax, protect assets, and keep you 100% compliant.
We’re not here to replace your accountant; we work with them. Our role is to lead the strategy, bring in best-in-class experts across every domain, and ensure that every piece fits together without contradiction or confusion.
Most importantly, we take responsibility for ensuring you and your team fully understand how to operate and maintain your structure today, and as the law or your financial situation evolves.
We’re here so you can move forward with confidence, and build a legacy that lasts.
5 Star Customer Reviews
We’ve Helped thousands of Wealthy Australians
Legally Protect Millions in Assets
Hear about the positive experiences of real clients.
“They set up trusts to protect our wealth and minimize tax liabilities. The process was seamless, and I highly recommend WealthSafe for discerning business owners.”
Joe Catalano
“WealthSafe provided an in-depth strategy refined perfectly to our needs. Every question was answered promptly and thoroughly. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
Liberty and York
“WealthSafe always asks ‘how can we make this work?’ rather than ‘it can’t be done.’ Their resourcefulness and efficiency have exceeded our expectations.”
Liberty and York
“Virna and the team explained offshore structures clearly, guiding me step by step. The process has been smooth, and I look forward to working with them long-term.”
M
“Virna and the team deliver professional, efficient work with systems that run smoothly. Their client education is a huge bonus, and I highly recommend them.”
OCE Comms
“The team set up the perfect trust for my forex trading needs. Virna was professional, responsive, and exceeded expectations from start to finish.”
Neil Roberts
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FAQs
Offshore trust setup for Australian business owners
Is using an offshore trust legal for Australians?
Yes – when it’s designed and used properly. The issue isn’t “offshore” itself; it’s when offshore trusts are used purely to conceal or misrepresent. Our focus is on legitimate protection and succession planning with a clear, defensible story.
How is an offshore trust different from an Australian family trust?
In simple terms, an offshore trust is set up and administered in another country, under that country’s trust laws. It often owns companies that hold assets in different places. An Australian trust is governed by Australian law and usually only holds Australian assets. Both can play a role; the offshore version is usually reserved for larger, higher-risk or more international situations.
Do I have to report an offshore trust in Australia?
If you are an Australian resident and have interests in or distributions from an offshore trust, there are specific tax and reporting rules that can apply. We design your plan with this in mind and coordinate with your tax adviser so you’re not left guessing what needs to be disclosed.
Is an offshore trust only for very wealthy people?
In practice, yes – they usually only make sense once your asset base and risk level reach a certain point. For many business owners, Australian companies and trusts, and sometimes offshore companies, are enough. We’ll be upfront about whether you’re in the range where a trust is worth considering.
Can you review an offshore trust I already have?
Yes. We can review your existing trust, what it owns, how it’s run, and how it fits your current goals and risk. From there, we’ll tell you whether to keep it as-is, adjust it, or consider a different approach.
Do I have to move overseas to benefit from an offshore trust?
Not necessarily. Offshore trusts can be part of a plan whether you stay in Australia or move, especially for succession and asset-holding. In some cases, they’re designed alongside a move offshore; in others, they sit behind an Australian-based life. We’ll map this out for your specific situation.
Will an offshore trust eliminate tax on my investments?
No. An offshore trust is a protection and structuring tool, not a magic tax eraser. How income and gains are taxed depends on your overall structure, where you live, where assets sit, and how distributions are made. We work with your tax adviser to ensure you understand the implications before anything is implemented.
First Step
Book Your Free Assessment
Book Your Free Suitability Assessment
Protect More. Pay Less. Stay 100% Legal.
This 15-minute Zoom call is designed to determine whether Wealth Safe and the Complete Wealth Control System may be suitable for your circumstances. No documents required. No sales pitch. Just a straightforward conversation to assess fit and value.
What You’ll Gain:
- Clarity on whether your circumstances are suitable
- A clear understanding of how our system works
- Confidence in whether moving forward makes sense
We don’t offer advice in this call — but we’ll help you understand if Wealth Safe can offer the edge you’ve been looking for.
What You’ll Need to Share:
- We won’t ask for documents — just a top-line overview.
- The asset classes you hold
- Where your income flows from
- Who owns key assets (personally, in trusts, companies, etc.)
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