Accessing Online services for foreign investors

Overview

These instructions are for individuals or entities:

• without an Australian business number (ABN)
• to use the first time they access Online services for foreign investors.

If your entity (including sole traders) has an ABN, go to Access to Online services for foreign investors for entities with an ABN.

We recommend you review these instructions and have the information you need ready to complete the steps. You may not need to complete all steps.

Once you have completed the steps, you:

• only need to use your Digital ID, such as myIDOpens in a new window to log in to Online services for foreign investors in future
• can authorise others to act on your behalf within the service.

myID is the Australian Government’s Digital ID provider. It is an app you download to your smart device and use to prove who you are when accessing government online services.

You don’t need a myGov account to access Online services for foreign investors.

Step 1: Set up your myID

You need a myIDOpens in a new window with at least a Basic identity strength. You won't need identity documents to set up a myID with a Basic identity strength.

If you already have a myID, go to Step 2: Log in to Online services for foreign investors.

To set up your myID:

1. Download the myID app from the App Store or Google Play.

 

Only download the myID app from the official app stores listed above. Non-genuine versions of the myID app may be available from other sources.

2. Open the app and follow the prompts to type your full name, date of birth and personal email address.
3. The message ‘Your identity strength is Basic’ will display at the top of your myID app to confirm you have a Basic identity strength.
4. Your myID is now set up and you can log in to Online services for foreign investors.

If you can't set up a myID, contact myID general supportOpens in a new window.

For more about myID and how to set it up, go to How to set upOpens in a new window.

Step 2: Log in to Online services for foreign investors

Use your Digital ID, such as myID to log in to Online services for foreign investors:

• Log inOpens in a new window or navigate to the top of the home page of our website and select Login to online services then Foreign investor from the drop-down list.
• Type your myID email address – this is the email address used when you set up your myID.
• A 4-digit code will appear in your web browser.
• Open and log in to the myID app on your smart device and type the 4-digit code.
• Return to your web browser, where Online services for foreign investors will open.
• At Linked entities, if your name or entity is
  • not listed, select Add and continue to Step 3: Add your record
  • listed, select your name or entity then Next and go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration.

Step 3: Add your record

This step is to determine if you already have a record with us. If you do, we’ll ask you to provide information to complete a one-off proof of identity check.

You may not be aware that you already have a record with us (previously interacted with us). An interaction with us may include the following – you:

• applied for an Australian tax file number (TFN)
• submitted a foreign investment application
• previously registered your investment in Australia (residential real estate, agricultural land or water)
• worked in Australia
• lodged a tax return.

How you complete the questions on this screen depends on whether you are adding:

• yourself as a foreign investor
• an entity (business), company, foreign government or trust as a foreign investor without an ABN.

Add myself as a foreign investor

Select Add to be directed to the Add entity screen.

To prevent delays with your registration, answer Yes to ‘Have you previously interacted with the ATO’. What steps you take will depend on whether a record is found.

At the Add entity screen:

• Who are you representing? – select Myself to register yourself as a foreign investor.
• Have you previously interacted with the ATO? Select Yes.
• Do you have a linking code from the ATO? – select No then Next.

At the 'Link to ATO' screen, read and accept the terms and conditions then select Next.

A message will display – either:

• 'Your ATO record has been found' with your details – select Next and go to Step 4: Confirm your record
• 'Unable to match information' – select Continue and go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration.

At 'Do you have a linking code from the ATO?' select Yes, if you have one, then complete the linking code.

Add my entity

Note: If the entity has an ABN go to Access to Online services for foreign investors for entities with an ABN.

If you have previously interacted with us, which may be from previously submitting a foreign investment application, you will need to contact us for an authorisation code before completing this step. An authorisation code is different to a linking code.

The person who contacts us must already be listed as a contact on one of the forms lodged by the entity. You will need to answer questions about these forms, including questions about any fees the entity may have paid. When we have completed the proof of identity check, we will email you the authorisation code.

Select Add and at the Add entity screen:

• Who are you representing? – select
  • My Entity if you are the principal authority such as a director
  • Another person or entity if you are registering a company or trust on behalf of the foreign investor.
• Have you previously interacted with the ATO?
  • select Yes if you have contacted us and have an authorisation code
  • select No then Next if there hasn't been any previous interaction and go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration.
• Do you have an authorisation code from the ATO? – select Yes then Next (this option will only appear if you answered Yes to have you previously interacted with the ATO).
• At Claim authorisation, type your authorisation code. The code is case sensitive and only valid for 7 days (the code expiry date is in your email). If your code has expired, you will need to contact us for another code.
• Select Verify.
• Select the declaration then Accept.
• A message will appear Authorisation successful.
• Select Continue.
• Select your entities record then Next.
• Go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration.

Step 4: Confirm your record

If your ATO record has been found, you'll be asked questions about information we have on our records. The questions will differ whether you:

• have an Australian tax file number (TFN)
• don't have a TFN.

Tax file number

If you have a TFN:

• answer 2 questions from the TFN list below
• select I agree to verifying and linking my record
• select Submit.

A message will display either:

• 'Your ATO record has been verified' – select Continue
  • at Linked entities, select your name then Next
  • go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration
• 'Details provided do not match ATO records – 2 attempts remaining', try again and if unsuccessful contact us for a linking code.

TFN category

Prove your identity online by providing details about your personal tax record from 2 of the options listed below.

Tip: The most common options are Notice of assessment and bank account details used when you lodged an income tax return. If you use a registered tax agent, they can help you with this information.

• Notice of assessment
• Bank account details
• Dividend statement
• Centrelink payment summary
• PAYG payment summary.

If you don't have the required information, select another TFN category option.

Notice of assessment

Use a Notice of assessment (NOA) issued in the last 5 years. You will need:

• the date of issue – type the date in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’
• our reference number – do not include spaces.

You can find these details in the top right corner of your NOA.

Bank account details

Use an Australian bank account where either:

• you received your income tax refund
• that has earned interest in the last 2 years.

You’ll need the bank account:

• BSB number (no spaces or symbols)
• account number (no spaces).

You can usually find this information by logging in to your bank’s mobile app, internet account or on your bank statement.

If you’ve lodged your tax return using a tax agent, it may be their bank account details on your ATO record. Check with your tax agent.

Dividend statement

Use a dividend statement from the last 2 years. You need your investment reference number. Include all numbers (no spaces).

If you don’t have a dividend statement, you may find these details on an email or letter from your investment body.

Centrelink payment summary

If your taxable income is zero, you can’t use this option.

Use a Centrelink payment summary issued in the last 2 years.

Type in your taxable income in whole dollars. Don’t use cents, spaces, ‘$’ or other symbols.

You can find these details on the annual statement that Centrelink provides to you.

PAYG payment summary

Use a pay as you go (PAYG) payment summary issued in the last 2 years. This is different to an income statement.

Type in your gross income in whole dollars. Don’t use cents, spaces, ‘$’ or other symbols.

No tax file number

If you don't have an Australian TFN and have invested in Australia, we will have allocated you an ATO reference number (ARN).

You do not need to know your ARN right now. If you don't know your ARN, you will need to select questions unrelated to an ARN. Your ARN will be viewable after you link your record.

If you don't have a TFN:

• answer one question from each category A, B and C (total of 3) listed below
• select I agree to verifying and linking my record
• select Submit.

A message will display – either:

• 'Your ATO record has been verified' – select Continue
  • at Linked entities, select your name then Next
  • go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration
• 'Details provided do not match ATO records – 2 attempts remaining', try again and if unsuccessful contact us for a linking code.

Category A

For Category A, you need to provide information from one of the following:

• ARN notification letter
• Passport and visa
• Residential application approval.

ARN notification letter

Use the ARN notification letter you received by email when you registered for Online services for foreign investors. You’ll need the number next to Our Reference.

Passport and visa

Use either the foreign passport or visa details you provided in your foreign investment application if it was submitted before 17 June 2023. This may be different to your current passport or visa (you can update these details in Online services for foreign investors later).

You’ll need the:

• passport number and issue date
• visa number and visa expiry date.

Type the date in the format dd/mm/yyyy.

Residential and new dwelling exemption certificate (NDEC) application approval

Use the residential real estate foreign investment application approval letter you received. You’ll need the date of correspondence. Type the date in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’.

Category B

For Category B, you need to provide information from one (select one you can answer) of the following:

• Residential and new dwelling exemption certificate (NDEC) application submission
• Secret question
• Residential and new dwelling exemption certificate (NDEC) application fee
• Payment method.

Residential and new dwelling exemption certificate (NDEC) application submission

Use the date you submitted your residential real estate application. Type the date in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’.

Secret question

This question is not relevant if you haven't registered yet. You need to select another question.

Use the secret question details provided when you registered for Online services for foreign investors. You’ll need the password shared with the ATO.

Residential and new dwelling exemption certificate (NDEC) application fee

Use the application fee amount you paid for your most recent residential real estate foreign investment application.

Payment method

Use the payment method details from when you lodged your residential real estate foreign investment application.

Category C

For Category C, you need to provide information from one (select one you can answer) of the following:

• Last active asset registration
• Last vacancy fee declaration
• Last vacancy fee amount
• Contact person for an asset.

Last active asset registration

Use the date you made your asset registration. Type the date in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’.

Last vacancy fee declaration

Use the date you lodged your latest vacancy fee return. Type the date in the format ‘dd/mm/yyyy’.

Last vacancy fee amount

Use the payment amount that applied to your latest vacancy fee return.

Contact person for an asset

Use the latest contact person's name on the asset registration you made.

Linking code

If the details you provided to confirm your record don't match our records, you will need a linking code.

When you phone:

• let us know you are calling for Online services for foreign investors and that you need a linking code. We may ask for your TFN or ARN and if you know it, this will help with matching your record but is not mandatory.
• we will confirm your identity to match you to your record
• you will need a letter or notice from us that is less than 5 years old or other information that can be confirmed in ATO systems.

We will give you a linking code over the phone. Your linking code will be valid for 24 hours.

When you receive your linking code:

• log inExternal LinkExternal Link and select Add
• Who are you representing? Select Myself
• Have you previously interacted with the ATO? Select Yes
• Do you have a linking code from the ATO? Select Yes
• select Next
• type your linking code
  • The code is case sensitive.
  • If your linking code has expired, you will need to contact us for another code.
  • If your code has 6 characters, it is an 'authorisation code' – go to Step 3: Add my entity.
• select I agree to verifying and linking my record
• select Submit
• a message will appear – 'Record successfully linked'
• select your name then Next
• go to Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration.

Step 5: Complete the foreign investor registration

You need to complete the foreign investor registration when you access Online services for foreign investors for the first time.

The registration must be completed in one session.

Before you start, collect the information needed to complete the registration to:

• Register myself
• Register an entity

Register myself

When registering yourself as the foreign investor, providing the following information is mandatory unless specified optional.

Registration details

• Are you a registering as a foreign person under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975? – select Yes unless you are now a permanent resident
• Date you became a foreign person
  • If you already have an asset in Australia, use the date the asset was acquired; for example, the settlement date of a property (the date must be after November 2015, if the asset was acquired before this date use 1 December 2015).
  • If this is the first time you are investing in Australia, use the date you are completing this registration (today).
• Nationality.
• Provide any Australian reference numbers previously received (optional). Type your ABN or ARN.
• Passport or visa (optional).

Contact details

• email address to send you correspondence
• phone number (only include numbers – not brackets, dashes or other characters)
• address (residential and postal)
• create a secret question and answer that you can easily remember and others are unlikely to know.

Summary

When you have completed the registration, review the summary of your details. Select Back to return to any details you need to update.

When you are satisfied the details are correct, select the declaration then Submit.

A message will display, confirming your registration has been successfully submitted. It can take up to 5 business days to process and for the foreign investor name to display in the linked entities list.

Go to Step 6: Using Online services for foreign investors

Register an entity

Note: This is only for entities that don't have an ABN.

When registering your entity as the foreign investor, providing the following information is mandatory unless specified optional.

Registration details

• Is the entity registering as a foreign person under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975? – select Yes or No.
• Date the entity became a foreign person.
  • If you already have an asset in Australia, use the date the asset was acquired (the date must be after November 2015, if the asset was acquired before this date use 1 December 2015)
  • If this is the first time you are investing in Australia, use the date you are completing this registration (today).
• Entity type – select Company or Trust.
• Is the entity a foreign government investor – select Yes or No.
• Provide any Australian reference numbers previously received, ABN or ARN (optional).
• Entity legal name – if the entity is a trust, type 'Trustee for' before the entity name.
• Country of incorporation.
• Source country – select Add and provide the Source country and Percentage of ownership then Save. The source country is the nationality of the investor, shareholder or trustee. If there is more than one source country, provide the percentage of ownership for each country. Total ownership must equal 100%, but it can't be 100% Australia.
• Entity contact details – type the email address. This email address can be different to the primary authorised contact, registered address, postal address.

Authorised contact details

• Are you the primary business contact for this entity? – this must be an employee, business manager, director or owner of the entity.
• Role – employee, business manager, director or owner.
• Email address of the primary authorised contact.
• Phone number (use numbers only – not brackets, dashes or other characters).
• Alternate contact person for the entity (optional). If there is an alternate contact provide their name, email address and role.

Summary

When you have completed the registration, review the summary of your details. Select Back to return to any details you need to update.

When you are satisfied the details are correct, select the declaration then Submit.

A message will display – either:

• 'Your registration has been successfully submitted'; you can print or save a PDF, or
• 'Processing registration'; it can take 5 days, so you don't need to try again later to process your registration.

Step 6: Using Online services for foreign investors

Once the one-off registration has successfully been processed, you can access all functions in Online services for foreign investors.

You will only need your myID each time you log in.

To authorise a representative to act on your behalf, see Authorise a representative.

For more information on using the online service, see Online services for foreign investors navigation page.