The Treasurer has announced changes to Australia’s foreign investment review framework, effective from 10.30pm AEDT on Sunday 29 March 2020, relating to monetary thresholds and timeframes for reviewing applications. Details are available in our Guidance Note number 53, which addresses the effects of the changes. All material on this website should be read in light of the Treasurer’s announcement.
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31 July 2020
On Friday 31 July the Treasurer announced the release of the exposure draft of the Foreign Investment Reform (Protecting Australia’s National Security) Bill 2020 for public consultation. The exposure draft Bill amends the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 to implement the reforms to Australia’s foreign investment framework announced on 5 June 2020.
10 July 2020
The Foreign Investment Review Board has updated Guidance Note 53: Temporary measures in response to the coronavirus to advise that in addition to applying for a standard exemption certificate, investors can now apply for three new types of streamlined exemption certificates. These streamlined exemptions certificates will be available to investors during the period the temporary changes to Australia’s foreign investment review framework are in place.
1 July 2020
Foreign investment application fees have been indexed for the 2020-21 year. Revised fees will apply to applications made and notices given as of 1 July 2020. The fee schedule and further information on the application of fees is provided in Guidance Note 29 (residential land) and Guidance Note 30 (business).
A fee estimator is available to provide estimates of fees for different types of foreign investment applications.