Australia’s foreign investment regime is administered by the Australian Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office.
Foreign investment applications
Foreign investment (excluding residential real estate)
For information on foreign investment applications see the general guidance page for information about whether you need to apply, how to apply and application fees and penalties. If you intend to apply, please see the application checklist and fee schedule then apply through the FIRB Application Portal.
Residential real estate
For information on foreign investment applications in residential real estate, including exemption certificates for new or near new dwellings, visit the residential foreign investment page on the ATO Website.
For information about the vacancy fee for foreign owners of residential real estate visit the vacancy fee for foreign owners page on the ATO Website.
Registering and reporting foreign ownership
Foreign Investor reporting requirements
For information on foreign investors reporting requirements, including conditions, see the Investor reporting requirements page.
Land and water register
If you are a foreign person and invest in Australian residential real estate, agricultural land or water entitlements you are required to register on the Land and Water register unless an exemption applies to your circumstance. You may also need to apply for approval (see general guidance) before you invest.
Report a suspected breach
If you have information about a suspected breach of Australia’s foreign investment rules you can report this to the ATO or Treasury as appropriate. Further information is available on the reporting a breach page.
Media enquiries
For all media enquiries, please contact the Treasury’s Communications Unit via email at: medialiaison@treasury.gov.au
Foreign Investment Review Board
For all enquiries relating to Australia’s Foreign Investment Policy, please contact the Executive Member, Foreign Investment Review Board, at the Australian Treasury by email, firbenquiries@treasury.gov.au
Legislation and regulations
Links to the legislation and regulations can be found on the FIRB website.
Contact details
Please note: The Treasury officer responding to your email or call cannot provide specific advice on a proposed transaction.
The decision as to whether an application is required is a decision for the foreign investor, after considering the guidance on the FIRB website and assessing their own circumstances.
Treasury
- Foreign investment (excluding residential real estate): firbenquiries@treasury.gov.au
- Reporting required by foreign investment conditions (excluding residential real estate): firbcompliance@treasury.gov.au
- Reporting a suspected breach (excluding residential real estate): firbcompliance@treasury.gov.au
02 6263 3795 or +61 2 6263 3795 between 9am‑12:30pm and 1:30pm‑5pm, Mon‑Fri (AEST*) except ACT public holidays.
ATO
- Foreign investment in residential real estate: FIRBresidential@ato.gov.au
- Register of foreign ownership of agricultural land or water entitlements: landregister@ato.gov.au
- Reporting a suspected residential real estate breach: firbcompliance@ato.gov.au
1800 050 377 or +61 2 6216 1111 between 8am‑6pm, Mon‑Fri (AEST*) except national public holidays.
Page last updated 13 October 2021