Australia: Government, Public Sector

Australia's federal government welcomes foreign investment, but the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regime has become increasingly complex. This comprehensive guide examines critical considerations for foreign investors, including investor profiles, investment types, mandatory filing thresholds, available exemptions, procedural requirements, filing fees, and the Treasurer's enforcement powers.

Singapore and Southeast Asian investors looking to enter the Australian market through M&A face unique regulatory, structural and commercial considerations that differ significantly from their home jurisdictions. This comprehensive guide examines the typical transaction lifecycle, current investment trends between Singapore and Australia, and critical pre-transaction decisions around deal structure, FIRB clearance, and term sheet negotiations that can determine the success of cross-border acquisitions.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to reform its foreign resident capital gains tax regime, removing the controversial retrospective application of expanded 'real property' definitions while maintaining prospective changes that will significantly broaden the CGT base for foreign investors in Australian land, infrastructure and energy assets.

Australia’s 2026/27 Federal Budget indicates a shift towards prioritising onshore visa applicants and reforms that target highly skilled and qualified migrants in the medium to long term.

The NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Act 2026 fundamentally transforms the regulatory landscape for disability service providers through dramatically increased civil penalties reaching up to $3.64 million per contravention, new criminal offences for unregistered providers, and expanded enforcement powers for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

The new regime imposes a $7,500 cap on political donations, bans foreign donations, mandates real-time disclosure and, significantly for business, applies retrospectively from 15 April 2026. Businesses that have made a political donation in Victoria since 15 April 2026, or which are planning to make a donation ahead of this year’s election, should review their donations policies and compliance procedures now.

The Australian Government's 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy outlines a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the nation's sovereign defence industrial base through procurement reform, industrial growth initiatives, and enhanced export capabilities. How will the establishment of the Defence Industry Hub, Industrial Development Agreements, and the new Defence Delivery Agency reshape Australia's defence sector and accelerate capability delivery?

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

The Australian Government's 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy outlines a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the nation's sovereign defence industrial base through procurement reform, industrial growth initiatives, and enhanced export capabilities. How will the establishment of the Defence Industry Hub, Industrial Development Agreements, and the new Defence Delivery Agency reshape Australia's defence sector and accelerate capability delivery?

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

On 7 May 2026, the Federal Government announced a mandatory domestic gas reservation scheme, to be legislated through Parliament.