Use this form to request a waiver or remission of a vacancy fee, foreign investment application or variation fee.
What we consider
There are only limited circumstances where we grant a fee waiver or remission for foreign investment fees.
Generally, fees will not be waived or refunded if:
- your application is not approved
- you change your mind about purchasing the property
- you were unsuccessful in purchasing the property
- you withdraw your application
- a lower fee is applicable to the investment when you obtained approval under a higher fee. For example, if you receive approval to purchase residential land for over $1 million but acquire the residential land at auction for under $1 million, the difference in application fees will not be refunded.
For more guidance, refer to the Foreign InvestmentExternal Link website.
Supporting information for your request
You will need to provide the following supporting information relevant to your fee waiver request:
Vacancy fee waiver
Only use this request if:
- you have reasons beyond your control that prevented you from lodging your vacancy fee return on time
- your situation has changed making you exempt from lodging a vacancy fee return and a fee has been applied to that vacancy fee year
- your property was occupied for fewer than 183 days and you have not requested a fee waiver previously
- your property was occupied for fewer than 183 days due to situations beyond your control.
Complete the following at:
- Reference type select Vacancy fee reference number
- Reference number type the 13-digit number found at Our reference number on your Vacancy fee notice – only include the numbers
- What fee are you asking to be waived? select Vacancy fee
- Request details include
- the reason why you believe the fee should be waived
- the period your dwelling was residentially occupied for the relevant vacancy fee year
- why you did not lodge your vacancy return on time, if applicable
- attach any supporting evidence, such as travel documents, tenancy agreements, evidence the property was occupied for 183 days or more, or contracts of sale.
Residential application fee waiver
If you have received a decision on your foreign investment application, go to Other fee waiver.
Only use this request if you haven't received a decision from us on your foreign investment application and you have reasons for the fee to be waived.
Complete the following:
- Reference type select Foreign investment application number
- Reference number type the number from your foreign investment application
- What fee are you asking to be waived? select Current application fee
- Request details include
- details of the reasons you believe the fee should be waived
- attach supporting documents, contracts of sale or copies of visa grants.
Residential application variation fee waiver
If you have received a decision on your request to vary an existing foreign investment approval, go to Other fee waiver.
Only use this request if you haven't received a decision from us to vary an existing foreign investment approval.
Complete the following at:
- Reference type select Foreign investment application number
- Reference number type the number from either your foreign investment (FIRB) approval or application
- What fee are you asking to be waived? select Variation to existing approval
- Request details include
- detail the reasons why the fee should be waived
- attach supporting documents, such as previous foreign investment approval, contracts of sale or copies of visa grants.
Other fee waiver
Only use this request if:
- you have reasons for the fee to be waived
- you have received a decision from us on your foreign investment approval
- it is for an exemption certificate fee.
Complete the following:
- Reference type select
- Foreign investment application number for foreign investment approval fee
- Land register reference number for failure to lodge penalties
- Reference number type the number from either
- foreign investment (FIRB) approval
- Land registration confirmation
- What fee are you asking to be waived? select Other
- Request details include
- detail the reasons why you believe the fee should be waived
- attach supporting documents, such as previous foreign investment approval, contracts of sale or copies of visa grants.
Apply for a fee waiver
Use this form to apply for a waiver of a vacancy fee, foreign investment application or variation fee. This service is not currently available in Online service for foreign investors.
Apply to waive your fee nowApplication outcome
We will consider your request to waive the fee and advise you of our decision by email. Our decision is final.
To avoid delays, attach all relevant supporting evidence with your application. We will contact you if we need more information about your request.
If you need more information, refer to Foreign investment in Australia or you can contact us about foreign investment.
Use this form to request a waiver or remission of a vacancy fee, foreign investment application or variation fee.