Registering an asset
If you are a foreign person, before you invest in an Australian business or entity (a business interest) you may need to apply for foreign investment approval.
After you have invested, you may need to register your business interest (asset) on The Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets (the Register) using Online services for foreign investors. You also need to comply with your foreign investment obligations.
Registering an asset is free.
You can find the definition of 'business interest' and 'foreign person' at Foreign investment terms and definitions. For further guidance, refer to the Foreign InvestmentExternal Link website.
Who must register
Generally, where a foreign person has received foreign investment approval to invest in an Australian business interest and the interest is acquired from 1 July 2023, they or their authorised representative must register the interest on the Register.
When to register
A foreign person who has an obligation to register or their authorised representative must register their interest acquired from 1 July 2023 within 30 days of the date of an event occurring. Exemptions may apply.
You need to register your business interest where you:
- acquire an interest in a business or entity, enter into a business agreement or change a constituent document
- became a foreign person while holding an interest in business or entity.
How to register business interests
To register, log in to Online services for foreign investors and select Register asset.
For more information on how to register, see Register or manage an asset.
Online services for foreign investorsIf your situation changes
You'll need to update your details in Online services for foreign investors if:
- you're no longer a foreign person
- you no longer hold the Australian business interest
- the ownership you hold in a previously registered Australian business or entity changes by 5% or more
- details of the registration change, such as a change in business activity.
If your:
- personal details change, update your profile – see Manage your details
- asset details change, update the asset using Add or Edit an event – see Register or manage an asset.
Penalties and reporting breaches
If you do not comply with your obligations to give a register notice or keep your details up to date, you may face an infringement notice or civil penalties.
If you have information about someone you think may be deliberately breaking our foreign investment rules, you can confidentially report a breach to us.
We use our compliance approach to ensure foreign investors comply with their obligations.
If you are having difficulties meeting your obligations, contact us.
Statistics and reporting
The Registrar provides a report to the Treasurer about the operation of the Register. They also publish aggregate statistics of foreign ownership.
The reported statistics may include:
- number of acquisitions and divestments
- value of foreign held business interests
- business activity of foreign held business interests
- value of foreign held business interests by country of ownership.
Only aggregated statistics are included in the report. Privacy restrictions prevent publishing information which may identify an individual or entity.
You can view the latest report on the Foreign InvestmentExternal Link website.
Register your business interests if you are a foreign person investing in an Australian business or entity.