Chartered Accountants◆Practising since 2016

Australia to India · Secondees

Australian staff working in India: tax and social security

CA Utsav Dogra, Chartered Accountant, ICAI M. No. 542375 · Updated

In brief

Australian staff in India are taxed in India on salary for Indian work unless the treaty's short-stay conditions are met. The India–Australia Social Security Agreement, in force since 1 January 2016, keeps secondees with a certificate of coverage in superannuation for up to five years.

What is specific to Australian companies

The India–Australia agreement, in force since 1 January 2016, keeps secondees in superannuation for up to five years with an ATO certificate of coverage.

Tax on secondees

QuestionUsual answer
Indian tax on salary for Indian work?Yes, unless all treaty short-stay conditions are met
Indian provident fund?Not with a certificate of coverage
Shadow payroll needed?Yes, if salary stays on the home payroll

Our services

How SU and Company helps

We set up and run Indian payroll, including for staff sent from abroad.

  • PF, ESI and state registrations
  • Salary structures under the labour codes
  • Monthly payroll, TDS and returns
  • Shadow payroll and Indian tax for secondees
  • Certificates of coverage and international worker PF

Questions

Is salary paid abroad taxable in India?

Salary for work done in India is generally taxable in India wherever it is paid.

General information as at 5 November 2026, not advice for a particular case. Indian and Australian rules change often; confirm the current position before acting. Australian law points should be confirmed with a Australian adviser.

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