Registering an asset
If you are a foreign investor, you or your authorised representative must register your Australian asset after both of the following has occurred:
- you have applied and received foreign investment approval if required – see, Guidance Note 7 at foreigninvestment.gov.auExternal Link
- you have become the owner of the asset.
You register your asset using Online services for foreign investorsExternal Link. Registration is free.
You must also register a legal interest as lessee in a lease giving rights – to occupy agricultural land if the term of the lease (including any extension or renewal) is reasonably likely to exceed 5 years, at the time the interest is acquired.
Registration is required regardless of the value.
Who must register the asset
Generally, where a foreign person has received foreign investment approval to invest in an Australian business interest and the interest is acquired from 1 July 2023, they or their authorised representative must register the interest on the Register.
When to register your asset
A foreign person who has an obligation to register or their authorised representative, must register their interest acquired from 1 July 2023 within 30 days of the date of an event occurring. Exemptions may apply.
You need to register your business interest where you:
- acquire an interest in a business or entity, enter into a business agreement or change a constituent document
- became a foreign person while holding an interest in business or entity.
How to register your business interests
To register, log in to Online services for foreign investors and select Register asset.
For more information on how to register, see How to register or manage an asset for foreign investors.
Log in to Online services for foreign investorsIf your situation changes
You will need to update your details in Online services for foreign investorsExternal Link if:
- you are no longer a foreign person, see Guidance Note 2 at foreigninvestment.gov.auExternal Link
- you no longer hold the Australian business interest
- the ownership you hold in a previously registered Australian business or entity changes by 5% or more
- details of the registration change, such as a change in business activity.
If your:
- personal details change, update your profile – see Manage your details in Online services for foreign investors
- asset details change, update the asset using Add or Edit an event – see How to register or manage an asset for foreign investors.
Penalties and reporting breaches
If you do not comply with your obligations to give a register notice or keep your details up to date, you may face an infringement notice or civil penalties.
As a foreign investor, you should know your obligationsExternal Link and comply with Australia's foreign investment rules. Together with Treasury, we take compliance actionExternal Link if a foreign investor breaches the foreign investment rules.
If you have information about someone you think may be deliberately breaking our foreign investment rules, you can confidentially report a breach to us.
If you are having difficulties meeting your obligations, contact us.
Statistics and reporting
The Registrar provides a report to the Treasurer about the operation of the Register. They also publish aggregate statistics of foreign ownership.
The reported statistics may include:
- number of acquisitions and divestments
- value of foreign held business interests
- business activity of foreign held business interests
- value of foreign held business interests by country of ownership.
Only aggregated statistics are included in the report. Privacy restrictions prevent publishing information which may identify an individual or entity.
You can view the latest report on the Foreign InvestmentExternal Link website.