Foreign Investment
Clear Guidance in a Complex Regulatory Environment.
Strategic Support for Cross-Border Investment.
Foreign investment in Australia is subject to a detailed and evolving regulatory framework shaped by national interest, economic priorities, and geopolitical considerations. We help international clients navigate this complexity with clarity, precision, and commercial foresight.
We advise on inbound investment across key sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, agribusiness, energy, technology, and financial services. Our team supports clients in assessing transaction thresholds, managing Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) applications, and structuring transactions that align with Australian regulatory expectations.
We also advise on business structuring options for conducting operations in Australia, including companies, joint ventures, partnerships, and trusts, providing guidance on legal characteristics, compliance obligations, and tax implications.
Whether investing through equity, assets, or collaborative arrangements, we work closely with clients, regulators, and counterparties to reduce risk and ensure alignment with policy objectives.
How we can help
We provide end-to-end legal and strategic support across the foreign investment lifecycle, including:
- Advising on notifiable, significant, and reviewable actions under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers laws.
- Preparing and managing FIRB applications and engagement with Treasury.
- Assessing monetary thresholds, sectoral restrictions, and exemption categories.
- Responding to FIRB enquiries and negotiating conditions of approval.
- Structuring equity, asset, and trust-based investments for regulatory compliance.
- Advising on cross-border joint ventures, licensing, and distribution arrangements.
- Navigating sector-specific sensitivities, including telecommunications, land, infrastructure, and data.
- Coordinating with corporate, tax, and competition teams in transaction planning.
- Supporting investment committee processes and internal approvals.
- Advising on conditions of approval, reporting obligations, and change of control notifications.
- Managing material variations and compliance responses to FIRB or Treasury audits.
- Monitoring policy developments and assisting with ongoing regulatory engagement.
Foreign investment plays a critical role in Australia’s economy, and legal certainty is essential for its success. We work alongside clients to ensure compliance, protect value, and support strategic execution in a complex and shifting regulatory landscape.
