Which type of company is owned by private shareholders and not publicly listed?

A proprietary limited company, often referred to as a Pty Ltd, is specifically structured to be owned by private shareholders and is not publicly listed on any stock exchange. This type of company allows for a limited number of shareholders (typically up to 50 private non-employee shareholders), which means that ownership is more closely held compared to public companies that can attract a larger number of investors from the general public.

In contrast, a public listed company is one that offers its shares to the general public through a stock exchange, allowing for widespread ownership and investment. A social enterprise is generally focused on social, community, or environmental goals rather than maximizing shareholder profit, and may not necessarily function as a traditional company structure. An unlimited partnership involves partners who share unlimited liability, meaning their personal assets can be accessed to settle business debts, which is a fundamentally different ownership structure.

The proprietary limited company structure is designed to provide a layer of protection for owners through limited liability while maintaining privacy regarding ownership and financial information, making it the most appropriate answer in this context.