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Get ready for Online services for foreign investors

Last updated 20 April 2023

On 26 June, we’re launching Online services for foreign investors. Foreign investors and their representatives will use this new service to manage registration obligations and other ATO transactions relating to Australian investments.

ATO Foreign Investment Program Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Farley says Online services for foreign investors supports a new Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian assets (the Register), due to start on 1 July. 'The Register will merge existing agricultural land, water and residential registers. It will include new asset types foreign investors will need to register, including all commercial land as well as business acquisitions. The Register will give government better oversight of foreign investment in a range of Australian assets.'

Online services for foreign investors will see the ATO's current, unauthenticated forms relating to foreign investment in Australia moved into this new, secure system. It will include the residential application form, annual vacancy fee return and asset registrations.

Jennifer explains, 'We're excited to bring foreign investors into our Online services space. It's a more modern and secure central system they can use to interact with us'.

Jennifer encourages both foreign investors and their representatives to get ready for Online services for foreign investors now. 'For those familiar with the forms on our website, the main change from 26 June will be a Digital Identity verification process. Foreign investors will need to digitally verify their identity with a myGovID. You may already have one of these. If not, you should set one up now.'

Representatives acting on behalf of their foreign investor clients will also need their own myGovIDExternal Link.

See our website for the latest information to get ready for Online services for foreign investors, including tips for setting up your myGovID.

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