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This document was updated on 9 December 2022. A description of the changes is provided at the bottom of this page.

The purpose of this document is to facilitate the understanding of the application of the MLI to the Convention and it does not constitute a source of law. The authentic legal text of this tax treaty remains the legal text applicable.

SYNTHESISED TEXT OF THE MLI AND THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND MALTA FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME

If you follow the information in this document, and it turns out to be incorrect, or it is misleading and you make a mistake as a result, the ATO will take that into account when determining what action, if any, we should take.

General disclaimer on this synthesised text document This document presents the synthesised text for the application of the Agreement between Australia and Malta for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and The Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income signed on 9 May 1984 (the “Agreement”) as modified by the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the “MLI”) signed by Australia and Malta on 7 June 2017. This document was prepared in consultation with the competent authority of Malta and represents our shared understanding of the modifications made to the Agreement by the MLI. The document was prepared on the basis of the MLI position of Australia submitted to the Depositary upon ratification on 26 September 2018 and of the MLI position of Malta submitted to the Depositary upon ratification on 18 December 2018. These MLI positions are subject to modifications as provided in the MLI. Modifications made to MLI positions could modify the effects of the MLI on the Agreement. The sole purpose of this document is to facilitate the understanding of the application of the MLI to the Agreement and it does not constitute a source of law. The authentic legal texts of the Agreement and the MLI take precedence and remain the legal texts applicable. The provisions of the MLI that are applicable with respect to the provisions of the Agreement are included in boxes throughout the text of this document in the context of the relevant provisions of the Agreement. The boxes containing the provisions of the MLI have generally been inserted in accordance with the ordering of the provisions of the 2017 OECD Model Tax Convention. Changes to the text of the provisions of the MLI have been made to conform the terminology used in the MLI to the terminology used in the Agreement (such as “Covered Tax Agreement”, “Agreement” and “Convention”, “Contracting Jurisdictions” and “Contracting States”), to ease the comprehension of the provisions of the MLI. The changes in terminology are intended to increase the readability of the document and are not intended to change the substance of the provisions of the MLI. Similarly, changes have been made to parts of provisions of the MLI that describe existing provisions of the Agreement: descriptive language has been replaced by legal references of the existing provisions to ease the readability. In all cases, references made to the provisions of the Agreement or to the Agreement must be understood as referring to the Agreement as modified by the provisions of the MLI, provided such provisions of the MLI have taken effect. References Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting [2019] ATS 1 (provides the authentic legal text of the MLI). Agreement between Australia and Malta for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income [1985] ATS 15 (provides, in the case of Australia, the authentic legal text of the Agreement). Signatories and parties to the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (provides the MLI position of Australia submitted to the Depositary upon ratification on 26 September 2018 and of the MLI position of Malta submitted to the Depositary upon ratification on 18 December 2018).

Entry into Effect of the MLI Provisions The provisions of the MLI applicable to the Agreement do not take effect on the same dates as the original provisions of the Agreement. Each of the provisions of the MLI could take effect on different dates, depending on the types of taxes involved (taxes withheld at source or other taxes levied) and on the choices made by Australia and Malta in their MLI positions. Dates of the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval: 26 September 2018 for Australia and 18 December 2018 for Malta. Entry into force of the MLI: 1 January 2019 for Australia and 1 April 2019 for Malta. In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, the provisions of the MLI (other than Article 16 Mutual Agreement Procedure and Part VI Arbitration) have effect with respect to this Agreement: a)     with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; b)     with respect to all other taxes levied by Australia, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 October 2019; and c)     with respect to all other taxes levied by Malta, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020. In accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 35 of the MLI, Article 16 of the MLI (Mutual Agreement Procedure) has effect with respect to this Agreement for a case presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State on or after 1 April 2019, except for cases that were not eligible to be presented as of that date under this Agreement prior to its modification by the MLI, without regard to the taxable period to which the case relates. In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 36 of the MLI, the provisions of Part VI (Arbitration) of the MLI shall have effect with respect to this Agreement: a)     with respect to cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State (as described in subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 of Article 19 (Mandatory Binding Arbitration)) on or after 1 April 2019, and b)     with respect to cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State prior to 1 April 2019: (i)     only to the extent that the competent authorities of both Contracting States agree that it will apply to that specific case; and (ii)     on the date when both Contracting States have notified the Depositary that they have reached mutual agreement pursuant to paragraph 10 of Article 19 of the MLI, along with information regarding the date or dates on which such cases shall be considered to have been presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State (as described in subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 of Article 19 of the MLI) according to the terms of that mutual agreement.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND MALTA FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME

AUSTRALIA AND MALTA,

The following paragraph 3 of Article 6 of the MLI is included in the preamble of this Agreement: ARTICLE 6 OF THE MLI – PURPOSE OF A COVERED TAX AGREEMENT Desiring to further develop their economic relationship and to enhance their co-operation in tax matters,

[REPLACED by paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the MLI] DESIRING to conclude an Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income,

The following paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the MLI replaces the text referring to an intent to eliminate double taxation in the preamble of this Agreement: ARTICLE 6 OF THE MLI – PURPOSE OF A COVERED TAX AGREEMENT Intending to eliminate double taxation with respect to the taxes covered by [the Agreement] without creating opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance (including through treaty-shopping arrangements aimed at obtaining reliefs provided in [the Agreement] for the indirect benefit of residents of third jurisdictions),

HAVE AGREED as follows:

CHAPTER 1

SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT

Article 1

PERSONAL SCOPE

This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States.

Article 2

TAXES COVERED

1.     The existing taxes to which this Agreement shall apply are:

a)     in Australia:

the Australian income tax, including the additional tax upon the undistributed amount of the distributable income of a private company;

b)     in Malta:

the income tax, including prepayments of tax whether made by deduction at source or otherwise.

2.     This Agreement shall also apply to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are imposed by either Contracting State after the date of signature of this Agreement in addition to, or in place of, the existing taxes. As soon as possible after the end of each calendar year, the competent authority of each Contracting State shall notify the competent authority of the other Contracting State of any substantial changes which have been made in the laws of his State relating to the taxes to which this Agreement applies.

CHAPTER II

DEFINITIONS

Article 3

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

1.     In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

a)     the term "Australia" means the Commonwealth of Australia and, when used in a geographical sense, includes:

(i)     the Territory of Norfolk Island;

(ii)     the Territory of Christmas Island;

(iii)     the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands;

(iv)     the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands;

(v)     the Coral Sea Islands Territory; and

(vi)     any area adjacent to the territorial limits of Australia or of the said Territories in respect of which there is for the time being in force, consistently with international law, a law of Australia or of a State or part of Australia or of a Territory aforesaid dealing with the exploitation of any of the natural resources of the sea-bed and subsoil of the continental shelf;

b)     the term "Malta" means the Republic of Malta and, when used in a geographical sense, means the Island of Malta, the Island of Gozo and the other islands of the Maltese archipelago, including the territorial waters thereof, and any area outside the territorial sea of Malta which, in accordance with international law, has been or may hereafter be designated, under the law of Malta concerning the continental shelf, as an area within which the rights of Malta with respect to the sea-bed and subsoil and their natural resources may be exercised;

c)     the terms "Contracting State", "one of the Contracting States" and "other Contracting State" mean Australia or Malta, as the context requires;

d)     the term "person" includes an individual, a company and any other body of persons;

e)     the term "company" means any body corporate or any entity which is treated as a company or body corporate for tax purposes;

f)     the terms "enterprise of one of the Contracting States" and "enterprise of the other Contracting State" mean an enterprise carried on by a resident of Australia or an enterprise carried on by a resident of Malta, as the context requires;

g)     the term "international traffic" means any transport by a ship or aircraft except where the ship or aircraft is operated solely between places within a Contracting State;

h)     the term "tax" means Australian tax or Malta tax, as the context requires;

i)     the term "Australian tax" means tax imposed by Australia, being tax to which this Agreement applies by virtue of Article 2;

j)     the term "Malta tax" means tax imposed by Malta, being tax to which this Agreement applies by virtue of Article 2;

k)     the term "competent authority" means, in the case of Australia, the Commissioner of Taxation or his authorized representative, and in the case of Malta, the Minister responsible for finance or his authorized representative.

2.     In this Agreement, the terms "Australian tax" and "Malta tax" do not include any penalty or interest imposed under the law of either Contracting State relating to the taxes to which this Agreement applies by virtue of Article 2.

3.     In the application of this Agreement by a Contracting State, any term not defined in this Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning which it has under the laws of that State relating to the taxes to which this Agreement applies.

Article 4

RESIDENCE

1.     For the purposes of this Agreement, a person is a resident of one of the Contracting States:

a)     in the case of Australia, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), if the person is a resident of Australia for the purposes of Australian tax; and

b)     in the case of Malta, if the person is liable to tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of management or any other criterion of a similar nature. A person is not a resident of Malta if he is liable to tax in Malta in respect only of income from sources therein.

2.     In relation to income from sources in Malta, a person who is subject to Australian tax on income which is from sources in Australia shall not be treated as a resident of Australia unless the income from sources in Malta is subject to Australian tax or, if that income is exempt from Australian tax, it is so exempt solely because it is subject to Malta tax.

3.     Where by reason of the preceding provisions of this Article an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined in accordance with the following rules:

a)     he shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the Contracting State in which he has a permanent home available to him;

b)     if he has a permanent home available to him in both Contracting States, or if he does not have a permanent home available to him in either of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the Contracting State with which his personal and economic relations are the closer.

4.     In determining for the purposes of paragraph (3) the Contracting State with which an individual's personal and economic relations are the closer, the matters to which regard may be had shall include the citizenship of the individual.

5.     Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph (1), a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the Contracting State in which its place of effective management is situated.

Article 5

PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT

1.     For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent establishment", in relation to an enterprise, means a fixed place of business through which the business of the enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.

2.     The term "permanent establishment" shall include especially:

a)     a place of management;

b)     a branch;

c)     an office;

d)     a factory;

e)     a workshop;

f)     a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of natural resources;

g)     an agricultural, pastoral or forestry property;

h)     a building site or construction, installation or assembly project which exists for more than 183 days in any twelve-month period.

3.     An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment merely by reason of:

a)     the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise;

b)     the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery;

c)     the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise;

d)     the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of purchasing goods or merchandise, or for collecting information, for the enterprise;

e)     the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of activities which have a preparatory or auxiliary character for the enterprise, such as advertising or scientific research.

4.     An enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in one of the Contracting States and to carry on business through that permanent establishment if:

a)     it carries on supervisory activities in that State for more than 183 days in any twelve-month period in connection with a building site, or a construction, installation or assembly project which is being undertaken in that State;

b)     there is being used in that State by, for or under contract with the enterprise substantial equipment including, but not limited to, an installation, drilling rig or ship used for, or in activities connected with, the exploration for or exploitation of natural resources; or

c)     it carries on supervisory activities in that State in connection with the use of equipment referred to in sub-paragraph (b).

5.     A person acting in one of the Contracting States on behalf of an enterprise of the other Contracting State - other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph (6) applies - shall be deemed to be a permanent establishment of that enterprise in the first-mentioned State:

a)     in respect of his activities in that behalf, if he has, and habitually exercises in that State, an authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the enterprise, unless his activities are limited to those mentioned in paragraph (3) and are such that, if exercised through a fixed place of business, would not make that fixed place of business a permanent establishment under the provisions of that paragraph; or

b)     if, in so acting, he manufactures or processes in that State for the enterprise goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise.

6.     An enterprise of one of the Contracting States shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the other Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that other State through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status, where that person is acting in the ordinary course of his business as such a broker or agent.

7.     The fact that a company which is a resident of one of the Contracting States controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State, or which carries on business in that other State (whether through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself make either company a permanent establishment of the other.

8.     The principles set forth in the preceding paragraphs of this Article shall be applied in determining for the purposes of this Agreement whether there is a permanent establishment outside both Contracting States, and whether an enterprise, not being an enterprise of one of the Contracting States, has a permanent establishment in one of the contracting States.

CHAPTER III

TAXATION OF INCOME

Article 6

INCOME FROM REAL PROPERTY

1.     Income from real property may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the real property is situated.

2.     In this Article, the term "real property":

a)     in the case of Australia, has the meaning which it has under the laws of Australia, and shall also include:

(i)     a lease of land and any other interest in or over land, whether improved or not; and

(ii)     a right to receive variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work or to explore for, mineral deposits, oil or gas wells, quarries or other places of extraction or exploitation of natural resources; and

b)     in the case of Malta, means immovable property according to the laws of Malta, and shall also include:

(i)     property accessory to immovable property;

(ii)     rights to which the provisions of the general law respecting landed property apply;

(iii)     usufruct of immovable property; and

(iv)     rights to variable or fixed payments in respect of the operation of mines or quarries or of the exploitation of or exploration for any natural resources.

Ships, boats and aircraft shall not be regarded as real property.

3.     A lease of land, any other interest in or over land and any right referred to in any of the sub-paragraphs of paragraph (2) shall be regarded as situated where the land, mineral deposits, oil or gas wells, quarries or natural resources, as the case may be, are situated or the exploration may take place.

4.     The provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting or use in any other form of real property.

5.     The provisions of paragraphs (1), (3) and (4) shall also apply to the income from real property of an enterprise and to income from real property used for the performance of professional services.

Article 7

BUSINESS PROFITS

1.     The profits of an enterprise of one of the Contracting States shall be taxable only in that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other State but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment.

2.     Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), where an enterprise of one of the Contracting States carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting State be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment or with other enterprises with which it deals.

3.     In the determination of the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses of the enterprise, being expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the permanent establishment (including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred) and which would be deductible if the permanent establishment were an independent entity which paid those expenses, whether incurred in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere.

4.     No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.

5.     Nothing in this Article shall affect the application of any law of a Contracting State relating to the determination of the tax liability of a person, including the determination of such liability by the exercise of a discretion or the making of an estimate by the competent authority of that State in cases in which, from the information available to the competent authority of that State, it is not possible or not practicable to ascertain the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment, provided that that law shall be applied, so far as the information available to the competent authority permits, consistently with the principles of this Article.

6.     For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs of this Article, the profits to be attributed to the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.

7.     Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.

8.     Nothing in this Article shall affect the operation of any law of a Contracting State relating to taxation of profits from insurance with non-residents provided that if the relevant law in force in either Contracting State at the date of signature of this Agreement is varied (otherwise than in minor respects so as not to affect its general character) the Contracting States shall consult with each other with a view to agreeing to any amendment of this paragraph that may be appropriate.

Article 8

SHIPPING AND AIR TRANSPORT

1.     Profits from the operation of ships or aircraft derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States shall be taxable only in that State.

2.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), such profits may be taxed in the other Contracting State where they are profits from operations of ships or aircraft confined solely to places in that other State.

3.     The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply in relation to the share of the profits from the operation of ships or aircraft derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States through participation in a pool service, in a joint transport operating organization or in an international operating agency.

4.     For the purposes of this Article, profits derived from the carriage by ships or aircraft of passengers, livestock, mail, goods or merchandise shipped in a Contracting State for discharge at another place in that State shall be treated as profits from operations of ships or aircraft confined solely to places in that State.

5.     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, profits from the operation of ships in international traffic derived by a company which is a resident of Malta may be taxed in Australia unless the company proves that such profits are not relieved from Malta tax under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1973, or under any identical or similar provision. The foregoing sentence, however, shall not apply if the company proves that not more than 25 per cent of its capital is owned, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not residents of Malta.

Article 9

ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES

1.     Where:

a)     an enterprise of one of the Contracting States participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State; or

b)     the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of one of the Contracting States and an enterprise of the other Contracting State,

and in either case conditions operate between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which might be expected to operate between independent enterprises dealing wholly independently with one another, then any profits which, but for those conditions, might have been expected to accrue to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly.

2.     Nothing in this Article shall affect the application of any law of a Contracting State relating to the determination of the tax liability of a person, including the determination of such liability by the exercise of a discretion or the making of an estimate by the competent authority of that State in cases in which, from the information available to the competent authority of that State, it is not possible or not practicable to determine the income to be attributed to an enterprise, provided that that law shall be applied, so far as the information available to the competent authority permits, consistently with the principles of this Article.

3.     Where profits on which an enterprise of one of the Contracting States has been charged to tax in that State are also included, by virtue of paragraph (1) or (2), in the profits of an enterprise of the other Contracting State and taxed accordingly, and the profits so included are profits which might have been expected to have accrued to that enterprise of the other State if the conditions operative between the enterprises had been those which might have been expected to have operated between independent enterprises dealing wholly independently with one another, then the first-mentioned State shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of tax charged on those profits in the first-mentioned State. In determining such an adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Agreement in relation to the nature of the income and for this purpose the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall if necessary consult each other.

Article 10

DIVIDENDS

1.     Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of one of the Contracting States for the purposes of its tax, being dividends to which a resident of the other Contracting State is beneficially entitled, may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Such dividends may be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident for the purposes of its tax, and according to the law of that State, but:

a)     in the case of tax charged by Australia:

that tax shall not exceed 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends;

b)     in the case of tax charged by Malta:

(i)     such tax on the gross amount of the dividends shall not exceed that chargeable on the profits out of which the dividends are paid;

(ii)     where such dividends are paid out of profits of a company which are subject to tax at a reduced rate of tax under special provisions designed to promote investments necessary for the economic development of Malta, the rate of Malta tax on the dividends shall not exceed such reduced rate.

The provisions of this paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company on the profits out of which the dividends are paid.

3.     The term "dividends" in this Article means income from shares and other income assimilated to income from shares by the taxation law of the Contracting State of which the company making the distribution is a resident for the purposes of its tax.

4.     The provisions of paragraph (2) shall not apply if the person beneficially entitled to the dividends, being a resident of one of the Contracting States, carries on business in the other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In any such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

5.     Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of one of the Contracting States, being dividends to which a person who is not a resident of the other Contracting State is beneficially entitled, shall be exempt from tax in that other State except insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base situated in that other State. Provided that this paragraph shall not apply in relation to dividends paid by any company which is a resident of Australia for the purposes of Australian tax and which is also a resident of Malta for the purposes of Malta tax.

Article 11

INTEREST

1.     Interest arising in one of the Contracting States, being interest to which a resident of the other Contracting State is beneficially entitled, may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Such interest may be taxed in the Contracting State in which it arises, and according to the law of that State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed 15 per cent of the gross amount of the interest.

3.     The term "interest" in this Article includes interest from Government securities or from bonds or debentures, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right to participate in profits, and interest from any other form of indebtedness as well as all other income assimilated to income from money lent by the taxation law of the Contracting State in which the income arises.

4.     The provisions of paragraph (2) shall not apply if the person beneficially entitled to the interest, being a resident of one of the Contracting States, carries on business in the other Contracting State, in which the interest arises, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the indebtedness in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

5.     Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that State itself or a political subdivision or local authority of that State or a person who is a resident of that State for the purposes of its tax. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of one of the Contracting States or not, has in one of the Contracting States or outside both Contracting States a permanent establishment or fixed base in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent establishment or fixed base, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.

6.     Where, owing to a special relationship between the payer and the person beneficially entitled to the interest, or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest paid, having regard to the indebtedness for which it is paid, exceeds the amount which might have been expected to have been agreed upon by the payer and the person so entitled in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In that case, the excess part of the amount of the interest paid shall remain taxable according to the law of each Contracting State, but subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

Article 12

ROYALTIES

1.     Royalties arising in one of the Contracting States, being royalties to which a resident of the other Contracting State is beneficially entitled, may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Such royalties may be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise, and according to the law of that State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties.

3.     The term "royalties" in this Article means payments or credits, whether periodical or not, and however described or computed, to the extent to which they are made as consideration for:

a)     the use of, or the right to use, any copyright, patent, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, trademark or other like property or right;

b)     the use of, or the right to use, any industrial, commercial or scientific equipment;

c)     the supply of scientific, technical, industrial or commercial knowledge or information;

d)     the supply of any assistance that is ancillary and subsidiary to, and is furnished as a means of enabling the application or enjoyment of, any such property or right as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), any such equipment as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) or any such knowledge or information as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (c);

e)     the use of, or the right to use:

(i)     motion picture films;

(ii)     films or video tapes for use in connection with television; or

(iii)     tapes for use in connection with radio broadcasting; or

f)     total or partial forbearance in respect of the use or supply of any property or right referred to in this paragraph.

4.     The provisions of paragraph (2) shall not apply if the person beneficially entitled to the royalties, being a resident of one of the Contracting States, carries on business in the other Contracting State, in which the royalties arise, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the property or right in respect of which the royalties are paid or credited is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

5.     Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that State itself or a political subdivision or local authority of that State or a person who is a resident of that State for the purposes of its tax. Where, however, the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of one of the Contracting States or not, has in one of the Contracting States or outside both Contracting States a permanent establishment or fixed base in connection with which the liability to pay the royalties was incurred, and the royalties are borne by the permanent establishment or fixed base, then the royalties shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.

6.     Where, owing to a special relationship between the payer and the person beneficially entitled to the royalties, or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the royalties paid or credited, having regard to what they are paid or credited for, exceeds the amount which might have been expected to have been agreed upon by the payer and the person so entitled in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In that case, the excess part of the amount of the royalties paid or credited shall remain taxable according to the law of each Contracting State, but subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

Article 13

ALIENATION OF PROPERTY

1.     Income or gains from the alienation of real property may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the real property is situated.

2.     Income or gains from the alienation of shares or comparable interests in a company, the assets of which consist wholly or principally of real property, may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the assets or the principal assets of the company are situated.

3.     For the purposes of this Article:

a)     the term "real property" has the same meaning that it has in Article 6; and

b)     any lease, interest or right referred to in any sub-paragraph of paragraph (2) of that Article shall be regarded as situated where the land, mineral deposits, oil or gas wells, quarries or natural resources, as the case may be, are situated or the exploration may take place.

Article 14

INDEPENDENT PERSONAL SERIVCES

1.     Income derived by an individual who is a resident of one of the Contracting States in respect of professional services or other independent activities of a similar character shall be taxable only in that State. However, if such an individual:

a)     has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing his activities; or

b)     in a year of income or in the year immediately preceding a year of assessment, as the case may be, stays in the other Contracting State for a period or periods aggregating more than 183 days for the purpose of performing his activities; or

c)     derives, in a year of income or in the year immediately preceding a year of assessment, as the case may be, from residents of the other Contracting State gross remuneration exceeding twelve thousand five hundred Australian dollars or its equivalent in Malta pounds from performing his activities in that State,

so much of the income derived by him as is attributable to activities so performed may be taxed in the other State.

2.     The Treasurer of Australia and the Minister responsible for finance in Malta may agree in letters exchanged for the purpose to variations in the amount specified in sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (1) and any variations so agreed shall have effect according to the tenor of the letters.

3.     The term "professional services" includes services performed in the exercise of independent scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities, as well as in the exercise of independent activities of physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and accountants.

Article 15

DEPENDENT PERSONAL SERIVCES

1.     Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18 and 19, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by an individual who is a resident of one of the Contracting States in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that State unless the employment is exercised in the other Contracting State. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived from that exercise may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), remuneration derived by an individual who is a resident of one of the Contracting States in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State if:

a)     the recipient is present in that other State for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in the year of income or in the year immediately preceding the year of assessment, as the case may be, of that other State; and

b)     the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of that other State; and

c)     the remuneration is not deductible in determining taxable profits of a permanent establishment or a fixed base which the employer has in that other State; and

d)     the remuneration is, or upon the application of this Article will be, subject to tax in the first-mentioned State.

3.     Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic by a resident of one of the Contracting States may be taxed in that State.

Article 16

DIRECTOR’S FEES

Directors' fees and similar payments derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States in his capacity as a member of the board of directors, or other comparable body however described, of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

Article 17

ENTERTAINERS

1.     Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by entertainers (such as theatrical, motion picture, radio or television artistes and musicians and athletes) from their personal activities as such may be taxed in the Contracting State in which these activities are exercised.

2.     Where income in respect of the personal activities of an entertainer as such accrues not to that entertainer but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the entertainer are exercised.

Article 18

PENSIONS AND ANNUITIES

1.     Pensions (including government pensions) and annuities paid to a resident of one of the Contracting States shall be taxable only in that State.

2.     The term "annuity" means a stated sum payable periodically at stated times during life or during a specified or ascertainable period of time under an obligation to make the payments in return for adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth.

3.     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, any pension or allowance that is paid by one of the Contracting States in respect of wounds, disabilities or death caused by war, or in respect of war service, and is exempt from tax under the law of that State, to a resident of the other Contracting State shall be exempt from tax in that other State.

Article 19

GOVERNMENT SERVICE

1.     Remuneration, other than a pension or annuity, paid by one of the Contracting States or a political sub-division or local authority of that State to any individual in respect of services rendered in the discharge of governmental functions shall be taxable only in that State. However, such remuneration shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the services are rendered in that other State and the recipient is a resident of that other State who:

a)     is a citizen of that State; or

b)     did not become a resident of that State solely for the purpose of performing the services.

2.     The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to remuneration in respect of services rendered in connection with any trade or business carried on by one of the Contracting States or a political sub-division or local authority of that State. In such a case, the provisions of Article 15 or Article 16, as the case may be, shall apply.

3.     Where remuneration is paid under a development assistance programme of a Contracting State, out of funds exclusively supplied by that State, to a specialist or volunteer seconded to the other Contracting State with the consent of that other State, such remuneration shall be deemed to have been paid by the first-mentioned State and shall be taxable only in that State.

Article 20

STUDENTS

Where a student, who is a resident of one of the Contracting States or who was a resident of that State immediately before visiting the other Contracting State and who is temporarily present in that other State solely for the purpose of his education at a university, college, school or other similar educational institution, receives payments from sources outside that other State for the purpose of his maintenance or education, those payments shall be exempt from tax in that other State.

Article 21

INCOME NOT EXPRESSLY MENTIONED

1.     Items of income of a resident of one of the Contracting States which are not expressly mentioned in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement shall be taxable only in that State.

2.     However, any such income derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States, from sources in the other Contracting State, may also be taxed in that other State.

3.     The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to income derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States where that income is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base situated in the other Contracting State. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

Article 22

SOURCES OF INCOME

Income derived by a resident of one of the Contracting States which, under any one or more of Articles 6 to 8, Articles 10 to 19 and Article 21, may be taxed in the other Contracting State shall, for the purposes of Article 23 and of the income tax law of that other State, be deemed to be income from sources in that other State.

CHAPTER IV

METHODS OF ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION

Article 23

1.     Subject to the provisions of the law of Australia from time to time in force which relate to the allowance of a credit against Australian tax of tax paid in a country outside Australia (which shall not affect the general principle hereof), Malta tax paid under the law of Malta and in accordance with this Agreement, whether directly or by deduction, in respect of income derived by a person who is a resident of Australia from sources in Malta (not including, in the case of a dividend, tax paid in respect of the profits out of which the dividend is paid) shall be allowed as a credit against Australian tax payable in respect of that income.

2.     A company which is a resident of Australia is, in accordance with the provisions of the taxation law of Australia in force at the date of signature of this Agreement, entitled to a rebate in its assessment at the average rate of tax payable by the company in respect of dividends that are included in its taxable income and are received from a company which is a resident of Malta. However, should the law so in force be amended so that the rebate in relation to the dividends ceases to be allowable under that law, Australia shall immediately advise Malta of the change and enter into negotiations with Malta in order to establish new provisions concerning the credit to be allowed by Australia against its tax on the dividends.

3.     For the purposes of paragraph (1) and of the income tax law of Australia:

a)     a resident of Australia deriving income from sources in Malta consisting of dividends to which sub-paragraph (2)(b)(ii) of Article 10 applies, interest to which Article 11 applies or royalties to which Article 12 applies, being income in respect of which Malta tax has been wholly relieved or reduced for a limited period of time under the provisions of the Aids to Industries Ordinance 1959, so far as they were in force on, and have not been modified since, the date of signature of this Agreement, or have been modified only in minor respects so as not to affect their general character, or under any other provisions which may subsequently be agreed by the Contracting States in letters exchanged for the purpose through the diplomatic channel to be of a substantially similar character, shall be deemed to have paid Malta tax in an amount, or the Malta tax paid shall be deemed to have been increased by an amount, equal to the amount by which the Malta tax that otherwise would have been payable (which tax, in the case of dividends, shall not exceed 15 per cent and, in the case of royalties or interest, 10 per cent of the gross amount thereof) is reduced by the exemption or reduction granted; and

b)     the amount of the said dividends, interest or royalties shall be deemed to be the amount that would have been the amount of the dividends, interest or royalties if no Malta tax had been paid, increased by the amount by which the tax that otherwise would have been payable is reduced by the said exemption or reduction.

4.     Paragraph (3) shall not apply in relation to income derived in any year of income after the year of income that ends on 30 June 1989 or on any later date that may be agreed by the Contracting States in letters exchanged for this purpose.

5.     a)     Subject to the provisions of the law of Malta from time to time in force which relate to the allowance of a credit against Malta tax of tax paid in a country outside Malta (which shall not affect the general principle hereof), Australian tax paid under the law of Australia and in accordance with this Agreement, whether directly or by deduction, in respect of income derived by a person who is a resident of Malta from sources in Australia (not including, in the case of a dividend, tax paid in respect of the profits out of which the dividend is paid) shall be allowed as a credit against Malta tax payable in respect of that income.

b)     Where a company which is a resident of Australia pays a dividend to a company which is a resident of Malta and which controls directly or indirectly at least 10 per cent of the voting power in the first-mentioned company, the credit shall take into account (in addition to any Australian tax for which credit may be allowed under sub-paragraph (a)) the Australian tax payable by that first-mentioned company in respect of the profits out of which such dividend is paid.

6.     Where under this Agreement income is to be relieved from tax in one of the Contracting States and, under the law in force in the other Contracting State, a person, in respect of the said income, is subject to tax by reference to the amount thereof which is remitted to or received in that other State and not by reference to the full amount thereof, then the relief to be allowed under this Agreement in the first-mentioned State shall apply only to so much of the income as is remitted to or received in the other State.

CHAPTER V

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Article 24

MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE

1.      [The first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 24 of this Agreement is REPLACED by the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI] Where a resident of one of the Contracting States considers that the actions of the competent authority of one or both of the Contracting States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with this Agreement, he may, notwithstanding the remedies provided by the national laws of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident. The case must be presented within three years from the first notification of the action giving rise to taxation not in accordance with this Agreement.

The following first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI replaces the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 24 of this Agreement: ARTICLE 16 OF THE MLI – MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the [Contracting States] result or will result for that person in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of [the Agreement], that person may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those [Contracting States], present the case to the competent authority of either [Contracting State].

2.     The competent authority shall endeavour, if the claim appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at an appropriate solution, to resolve the case with the competent authority of the other Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation not in accordance with this Agreement. Any solution so reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the national laws of the Contracting States.

3.     The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall jointly endeavour to resolve any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of this Agreement.

The following second sentence of paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the MLI applies to this Agreement: ARTICLE 16 OF THE MLI – MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in [the Agreement].

4.     The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with each other directly for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Agreement.

The following Part VI of the MLI applies to the provisions of this Agreement: PART VI OF THE MLI - ARBITRATION Article 19 (Mandatory Binding Arbitration) of the MLI 1.     Where: a)     under [paragraph 1 of Article 24 of the Agreement], a person has presented a case to the competent authority of a [Contracting State] on the basis that the actions of one or both of the [Contracting States] have resulted for that person in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of [the Agreement]; and b)     the competent authorities are unable to reach an agreement to resolve that case pursuant to [paragraph 2 of Article 24 of the Agreement], within a period of two years beginning on the start date referred to in paragraph 8 or 9 [of Article 19 of the MLI], as the case may be (unless, prior to the expiration of that period the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] have agreed to a different time period with respect to that case and have notified the person who presented the case of such agreement). any unresolved issues arising from the case shall, if the person so requests in writing, be submitted to arbitration in the manner described in this Part, according to any rules or procedures agreed upon by the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 10 [of Article 19 of the MLI]. 2.     Where a competent authority has suspended the mutual agreement procedure referred to in paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] because a case with respect to one or more of the same issues is pending before court or administrative tribunal, the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] will stop running until either a final decision has been rendered by the court or administrative tribunal or the case has been suspended or withdrawn. In addition, where a person who presented a case and a competent authority have agreed to suspend the mutual agreement procedure, the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] will stop running until the suspension has been lifted. 3.     Where both competent authorities agree that a person directly affected by the case has failed to provide in a timely manner any additional material information requested by either competent authority after the start of the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI], the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] shall be extended for an amount of time equal to the period beginning on the date by which the information was requested and ending on the date on which that information was provided. 4.     a)     The arbitration decision with respect to the issues submitted to arbitration shall be implemented through the mutual agreement concerning the case referred to in paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI]. The arbitration decision shall be final. b)     The arbitration decision shall be binding on both [Contracting States] except in the following cases: (i)     if a person directly affected by the case does not accept the mutual agreement that implements the arbitration decision. In such a case, the case shall not be eligible for any further consideration by the competent authorities. The mutual agreement that implements the arbitration decision on the case shall be considered not to be accepted by a person directly affected by the case if any person directly affected by the case does not, within 60 days after the date on which notification of the mutual agreement is sent to the person, withdraw all issues resolved in the mutual agreement implementing the arbitration decision from consideration by any court or administrative tribunal or otherwise terminate any pending court or administrative proceedings with respect to such issues in a manner consistent with that mutual agreement. (ii)     if a final decision of the courts of one of the [Contracting States] holds that the arbitration decision is invalid. In such a case, the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] shall be considered not to have been made, and the arbitration process shall be considered not to have taken place (except for the purposes of Articles 21 (Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings) and 25 (Costs of Arbitration Proceedings)) [of the MLI]. In such a case, a new request for arbitration may be made unless the competent authorities agree that such a new request should not be permitted. (iii)     if a person directly affected by the case pursues litigation on the issues which were resolved in the mutual agreement implementing the arbitration decision in any court or administrative tribunal. 5.     The competent authority that received the initial request for a mutual agreement procedure as described in subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] shall, within two calendar months of receiving the request: a)     send a notification to the person who presented the case that it has received the request; and b)     send a notification of that request, along with a copy of the request, to the competent authority of the other [Contracting State]. 6.     Within three calendar months after a competent authority receives the request for a mutual agreement procedure (or a copy thereof from the competent authority of the other [Contracting State]) it shall either: a)     notify the person who has presented the case and the other competent authority that it has received the information necessary to undertake substantive consideration of the case; or b)     request additional information from that person for that purpose. 7.     Where pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [of Article 19 of the MLI], one or both of the competent authorities have requested from the person who presented the case additional information necessary to undertake substantive consideration of the case, the competent authority that requested the additional information shall, within three calendar months of receiving the additional information from that person, notify that person and the other competent authority either: a)     that it has received the requested information; or b)     that some of the requested information is still missing. 8.     Where neither competent authority has requested additional information pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [of Article 19 of the MLI], the start date referred to in paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] shall be the earlier of: a)     the date on which both competent authorities have notified the person who presented the case pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 6 [of Article 19 of the MLI]; and b)     the date that is three calendar months after the notification to the competent authority of the other [Contracting State] pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 5 [of Article 19 of the MLI]. 9.     Where additional information has been requested pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [of Article 19 of the MLI], the start date referred to in paragraph 1 [of Article 19 of the MLI] shall be the earlier of: a)     the latest date on which the competent authorities that requested additional information have notified the person who presented the case and the other competent authority pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 7 [of Article 19 of the MLI]; and b)     the date that is three calendar months after both competent authorities have received all information requested by either competent authority from the person who presented the case. If, however, one or both of the competent authorities send the notification referred to in subparagraph b) of paragraph 7 [of Article 19 of the MLI], such notification shall be treated as a request for additional information under subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [of Article 19 of the MLI]. 10.     The competent authorities of the [Contracting States] shall by mutual agreement pursuant to [Article 24 of the Agreement] settle the mode of application of the provisions contained in this Part, including the minimum information necessary for each competent authority to undertake substantive consideration of the case. Such an agreement shall be concluded before the date on which unresolved issues in a case are first eligible to be submitted to arbitration and may be modified from time to time thereafter. 11.     Omitted. 12.    a)     any unresolved issue arising from a mutual agreement procedure case otherwise within the scope of the arbitration process provided for by [the MLI] shall not be submitted to arbitration, if a decision on this issue has already been rendered by a court or administrative tribunal of either [Contracting State]; b)     if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [Contracting States], a decision concerning the issue is rendered by a court or administrative tribunal of one of the [Contracting States], the arbitration process shall terminate. Article 20 (Appointment of Arbitrators) of the MLI 1.     Except to the extent that the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] mutually agree on different rules, paragraphs 2 through 4 [of Article 20 of the MLI] shall apply for the purposes of this Part. 2.     The following rules shall govern the appointment of the members of an arbitration panel: a)     The arbitration panel shall consist of three individual members with expertise or experience in international tax matters. b)     Each competent authority shall appoint one panel member within 60 days of the date of the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 of Article 19 [of the MLI]. The two panel members so appointed shall, within 60 days of the latter of their appointments, appoint a third member who shall serve as Chair of the arbitration panel. The Chair shall not be a national or resident of either [Contracting State]. c)     Each member appointed to the arbitration panel must be impartial and independent of the competent authorities, tax administrations, and ministries of finance of the [Contracting States] and of all persons directly affected by the case (as well as their advisors) at the time of accepting an appointment, maintain his or her impartiality and independence throughout the proceedings, and avoid any conduct for a reasonable period of time thereafter which may damage the appearance of impartiality and independence of the arbitrators with respect to the proceedings. 3.     In the event that the competent authority of a [Contracting State] fails to appoint a member of the arbitration panel in the manner and within the time periods specified in paragraph 2 [of Article 20 of the MLI] or agreed to by the competent authorities of the [Contracting States], a member shall be appointed on behalf of that competent authority by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that is not a national of either [Contracting State]. 4.     If the two initial members of the arbitration panel fail to appoint the Chair in the manner and within the time periods specified in paragraph 2 [of Article 20 of the MLI] or agreed to by the competent authorities of the [Contracting States], the Chair shall be appointed by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that is not a national of either [Contracting State]. Article 21 (Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings) of the MLI 1.     Solely for the purposes of the application of the provisions of this Part and of the provisions of [the Agreement] and of the domestic laws of the [Contracting States] related to the exchange of information, confidentiality, and administrative assistance, members of the arbitration panel and a maximum of three staff per member (and prospective arbitrators solely to the extent necessary to verify their ability to fulfil the requirements of arbitrators) shall be considered to be persons or authorities to whom information may be disclosed. Information received by the arbitration panel or prospective arbitrators and information that the competent authorities receive from the arbitration panel shall be considered information that is exchanged under the provisions of [the Agreement] related to the exchange of information and administrative assistance. 2.     The competent authorities of the [Contracting States] shall ensure that members of the arbitration panel and their staff agree in writing, prior to their acting in an arbitration proceeding, to treat any information relating to the arbitration proceeding consistently with the confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations described in the provisions of [the Agreement] related to exchange of information and administrative assistance and under the applicable laws of the [Contracting States]. Article 22 (Resolution of a Case Prior to the Conclusion of the Arbitration) of the MLI For the purposes of this Part and the provisions of [the Agreement] that provide for resolution of cases through mutual agreement, the mutual agreement procedure, as well as the arbitration proceeding, with respect to a case shall terminate if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [Contracting States]: a)     the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] reach a mutual agreement to resolve the case; or b)     the person who presented the case withdraws the request for arbitration or the request for a mutual agreement procedure. Article 23 (Type of Arbitration Process) of the MLI 1.     Omitted. Independent opinion arbitration 2.     [E]xcept to the extent that the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] mutually agree on different rules, the following rules shall apply with respect to an arbitration proceeding: a)     After a case is submitted to arbitration, the competent authority of each [Contracting State] shall provide any information that may be necessary for the arbitration decision to all panel members without undue delay. Unless the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] agree otherwise, any information that was not available to both competent authorities before the request for arbitration was received by both of them shall not be taken into account for purposes of the decision. b)     The arbitration panel shall decide the issues submitted to arbitration in accordance with the applicable provisions of [the Agreement] and, subject to these provisions, of those of the domestic laws of the [Contracting States]. The panel members shall also consider any other sources which the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] may by mutual agreement expressly identify. c)     The arbitration decision shall be delivered to the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] in writing and shall indicate the sources of law relied upon and the reasoning which led to its result. The arbitration decision shall be adopted by a simple majority of the panel members. The arbitration decision shall have no precedential value. 3.     Omitted 4.     Omitted 5.     Prior to the beginning of arbitration proceedings, the competent authorities of the [Contracting States] shall ensure that each person that presented the case and their advisors agree in writing not to disclose to any other person any information received during the course of the arbitration proceedings from either competent authority or the arbitration panel. The mutual agreement procedure under [the Agreement], as well as the arbitration proceeding under this Part, with respect to the case shall terminate if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [Contracting States], a person that presented the case or one of that person’s advisors materially breaches that agreement. 6.     Omitted 7.     Omitted Article 24 (Agreement on a Different Resolution) of the MLI Omitted. Article 25 (Costs of Arbitration Proceedings) of the MLI In an arbitration proceeding under this Part, the fees and expenses of the members of the arbitration panel, as well as any costs incurred in connection with the arbitration proceedings by the [Contracting States], shall be borne by the [Contracting States] in a manner to be settled by mutual agreement between the competent authorities of the [Contracting States]. In the absence of such agreement, each [Contracting State] shall bear its own expenses and those of its appointed panel member. The cost of the chair of the arbitration panel and other expenses associated with the conduct of the arbitration proceedings shall be borne by the [Contracting States] in equal shares. Article 26 (Compatibility) of the MLI 1.     Omitted 2.     Any unresolved issue arising from a mutual agreement procedure case otherwise within the scope of the arbitration process provided for in this Part shall not be submitted to arbitration if the issue falls within the scope of a case with respect to which an arbitration panel or similar body has previously been set up in accordance with a bilateral or multilateral convention that provides for mandatory binding arbitration of unresolved issues arising from a mutual agreement procedure case. 3.     [Nothing] in this Part shall affect the fulfilment of wider obligations with respect to the arbitration of unresolved issues arising in the context of a mutual agreement procedure resulting from other conventions to which the [Contracting States] are or will become parties. 4.     Omitted.

Subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 (Reservations) of the MLI Pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the MLI, Australia formulates the following reservation with respect to the scope of cases that shall be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the MLI: Australia reserves the right to exclude from the scope of Part VI [of the MLI] any case to the extent that it involves the application of Australia’s general anti-avoidance rules contained in Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and section 67 of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986. Australia also reserves the right to extend the scope of the exclusion for Australia’s general anti-avoidance rules to any provisions replacing, amending or updating those rules. Australia shall notify the Depositary of any such provisions that involve substantial changes. Pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the MLI, Malta formulates the following reservation with respect to the scope of cases that shall be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the MLI: Where a reservation made by the other Contracting Jurisdiction to a Covered Tax Agreement pursuant to Article 28(2)(a) refers exclusively to its domestic law (including legislative provisions, case law, judicial doctrines and penalties), Malta reserves the right to exclude from the scope of Part VI those cases that would be excluded from the scope of Part VI if the other Contracting Jurisdiction’s reservation were formulated with reference to any analogous provisions of Malta’s domestic law or any subsequent provisions which replace, amend or update those provisions. The competent authority of Malta will consult with the competent authority of the other Contracting Jurisdiction in order to specify any such analogous provisions which exist in Malta’s domestic law in the agreement concluded pursuant to Article 19(10).

Article 25

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

1.     The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information as is necessary for the carrying out of this Agreement or of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning the taxes to which this Agreement applies insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to this Agreement. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1. Any information received by the competent authority of a Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the assessment or collection of, enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes to which this Agreement applies and shall be used only for such purposes.

2.     In no case shall the provisions of paragraph (1) be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:

a)     to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;

b)     to supply particulars which are not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State;

c)     to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or to supply information the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy.

Article 26

DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR OFFICIALS

1.     Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the fiscal privileges of diplomatic or consular officials under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special international agreements.

2.     Notwithstanding Article 4, an individual who is a member of a diplomatic mission, consular post or permanent mission of one of the Contracting States which is situated in the other Contracting State or in a third State shall be deemed for the purposes of this Agreement to be a resident of the sending State if he is liable in the sending State to the same obligations in relation to tax on his total income as are residents of that sending State.

3.     This Agreement shall not apply to International Organizations, to organs or officials thereof or to persons who are members of a diplomatic mission, consular post or permanent mission of a third State, being present in a Contracting State and who are not liable in either Contracting State to the same obligations in relation to tax on their total income as are residents thereof.

The following paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI applies and supersedes the provisions of this Agreement: ARTICLE 7 OF THE MLI – PREVENTION OF TREATY ABUSE (Principal purposes test provision) Notwithstanding any provisions of [the Agreement], a benefit under [the Agreement] shall not be granted in respect of an item of income […] if it is reasonable to conclude, having regard to all relevant facts and circumstances, that obtaining that benefit was one of the principal purposes of any arrangement or transaction that resulted directly or indirectly in that benefit, unless it is established that granting that benefit in these circumstances would be in accordance with the object and purpose of the relevant provisions of [the Agreement]. The following paragraph 4 of Article 7 of the MLI applies to paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI: Where a benefit under [the Agreement] is denied to a person under [paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI], the competent authority of the [Contracting State] that would otherwise have granted this benefit shall nevertheless treat that person as being entitled to this benefit, or to different benefits with respect to a specific item of income […], if such competent authority, upon request from that person and after consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances, determines that such benefits would have been granted to that person in the absence of the transaction or arrangement referred to in [paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI]. The competent authority of the [Contracting State] to which a request has been made under this paragraph by a resident of the other [Contracting State] shall consult with the competent authority of that other [Contracting State] before rejecting the request.

CHAPTER VI

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 27

ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the Contracting States exchange notes through the diplomatic channel notifying each other that the last of such things has been done as is necessary to give this Agreement the force of law in Australia and in Malta, as the case may be, and thereupon this Agreement shall have effect:

a)     in Australia:

(i)     in respect of withholding tax on income that is derived by a non-resident, in relation to income derived on or after 1 January in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force;

(ii)     in respect of other Australian tax, in relation to income of any year of income beginning on or after 1 July in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force;

b)     in Malta:

in relation to taxes which are levied for the year of assessment beginning on 1 January in the second calendar year following that in which the Agreement enters into force and for any subsequent year of assessment.

Article 28

TERMINATION

This Agreement shall continue in effect indefinitely, but either of the Contracting States may, on or before 30 June in any calendar year beginning after the expiration of 5 years from the date of its entry into force, give to the other Contracting State through the diplomatic channel written notice of termination and, in that event, this Agreement shall cease to be effective:

a)     in Australia:

(i)     in respect of withholding tax on income that is derived by a non-resident, in relation to income derived on or after 1 January in the calendar year next following that in which the notice of termination is given;

(ii)     in respect of other Australian tax, in relation to income of any year of income beginning on or after 1 July in the calendar year next following that in which the notice of termination is given;

b)     in Malta:

in relation to taxes which are levied for the year of assessment beginning on 1 January in the second calendar year following that in which the notice of termination is given and for subsequent years of assessment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.

DONE in duplicate at Malta this ninth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and eighty-four in the English language.

FOR AUSTRALIA:	FOR MALTA:
N. ROSS-SMITH	ALEX SCEBERRAS TRIGONA

 

Latest update to the synthesised text

9 December 2022

Updated part of the synthesised text of the Agreement between Australia and Malta	Description of the change
Entry into Effect of the MLI Provisions	Updated presentation of the Entry into Effect for Arbitration to refer to paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 36 of the MLI
Throughout	Updated to ensure consistency of language, style and formatting

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