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  • Fee waiver – FIRB applications

    Use this form to apply for a waiver or reimbursement of a Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) application fee, variation to an existing approval or Vacancy fee.

    If you are a foreign person, you must pay a fee for each application made, or notice given, under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Act). Fees are only waived or reimbursed in limited circumstances.

    You must pay your fee for a residential real estate application or variation to an existing approval when you lodge the application or variation request. We can't consider your application until you pay the correct fee.

    On this page:

    See also:

    Waiver or reimbursement

    We will generally not waive a fee if you:

    • don't end up purchasing the property, even if this was beyond your control
    • change your mind about purchasing the property.

    There are limited circumstances where a fee waiver or remission is likely to be granted. These include, but are not limited to:

    • if you are a 'passive foreign government investor' applying for an exemption certificate
    • if the application is eligible for an exemption.

    We consider all applications for fee waivers and reimbursements on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final.

    See also:

    Completing the form

    To apply for a fee waiver or reimbursement, you will need to lodge a Foreign investment application fee waiver request via the link on this page.

    There are four options on the form. Choose the option that applies to your situation:

    Variation to existing approval

    Choose this option if:

    • you have recently lodged a request to vary an existing FIRB approval. For example, to add a purchaser or extend the construction period, and
    • we haven't made a decision on your request yet.

    You will need to provide your FIRB approval number and full details of the reasons why you think the variation fee should be waived.

    Attach any relevant documents, such as a copy of your previous FIRB approval.

    Don't select this option if we have already notified you of our decision on your variation request – select Other instead.

    Current application fee

    Choose this option if:

    • you have recently lodged an application for FIRB approval, and
    • we haven't made a decision on the application yet.

    You will need to provide your FIRB reference number and full details of the reasons why you think the application fee should be waived.

    Attach any relevant documents, such as previous FIRB approval, contracts of sale or copies of visa grants.

    We cannot waive a fee before you lodge your application.

    Don't select this option if we have already notified you of our decision on your FIRB application – select Other instead.

    Vacancy Fee

    Choose this option if:

    • you have a received a liability notice because we determined that your property was occupied for less than 183 days and you disagree
    • we determined your property to be occupied for less than 183 days because you did not lodge your vacancy fee return by the due date and you disagree

    You will need to provide your FIRB reference number and full details of the reasons why you think the vacancy fee should be remitted or waived.

    Attach any supporting evidence, such as travel documents, tenancy agreements or contracts of sale.

    Other

    Choose this option after we've notified you of our decision to ask us to reimburse a fee you've paid on:

    • an application
    • a variation request

    You will need to provide your FIRB approval number or Land and water registration number, and full details of your reasons why the fee should be reimbursed.

    Attach any relevant documents, such as any previous FIRB approval, contracts of sale, or copies of visa grants.

    Start your application

    Apply to waive your fee now

    What happens next

    We will consider your request to waive or reimburse the fee and advise you of our decision by email. If we decide:

    • not to waive or reimburse the fee, you will need to pay the full fee before we can consider your application or variation request
    • to waive the fee, we will then consider your application or variation request.

    If your request is in relation to a vacancy fee, and we decide:

    • not to waive the vacancy fee, you will need to pay in full by the due date
    • not to waive the vacancy fee and you have already paid, you do not need to do anything further
    • to waive the fee, and you have already paid, we will refund the fee to your nominated bank account.

    We may need to contact you to ask for further information regarding your request. To avoid any delays, ensure you attach all relevant supporting evidence.

    If you have already paid the fee and we decide to reimburse it, we will refund the fee to your nominated bank account.

    Last modified: 12 Aug 2021QC 52709