Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets 2024-25 report
The Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets 2024-25 Report was published on 9 March 2025, with supplementary data published on data.gov.auExternal Link
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provided an overview of the report and discussed key points of interest including levels of foreign ownership compared with prior years.
Established dwelling ban and ATO land banking audit
We have implemented the temporary ban on foreign acquisitions of established dwellings that applies from 1 April 2025. The application of possible exceptions is closely scrutinised to ensure eligibility. Updates to The Treasury Guidance Note 6 Residential landExternal Link published in December 2025, provide additional examples relating to the ban and exceptions that may apply.
The ATO’s review of all existing approvals with development conditions commenced on 1 July 2025 and is now well underway. As part of this program of work, the ATO may engage earlier and more frequently with foreign persons that have a requirement to construct new dwellings on their land.
The ATO takes compliance with all aspects of the foreign investment framework seriously, including the ban on acquisitions of established dwellings and all development conditions. Focus areas of the compliance program were discussed at the November 2025 group meeting.
Legislative instrument for extension of time to register interests
The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers (Register Notices – Extensions of Time) Instrument 2026 has been registered. The instrument provides the Registrar the power to grant foreign investors additional time to meet their obligations under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.
Internal processes and procedures are currently being finalised and will be communicated with stakeholders in due course.