How to Apply

Electronic lodgement (via email or fax) is preferred for all applications, including business proposals - do not post originals in addition to electronic lodgement. Applications should only be posted to FIRB if you are unable to submit your application via email or fax. Please note that postal applications generally take longer to process.

No fees or charges apply to applications.

Please do not combine multiple large documents into a single attachment. Each individual element of the application should be submitted as separate file attachments to the email. The preferred format for attachments would be as .pdf or .doc files. Applicants are requested to avoid attaching multiple individual pages as separate picture files. The email message should also include a webpage hyperlink to the appropriate current web addresses of any other material or information relevant to the application. Separate attachments would include the following:

• covering explanatory letter;
• statutory notice under section 25/26/26A; and
• other supporting documents such as company annual reports and financial statements (if applicable).

Please note that emails larger than 10 megabytes will be blocked. If necessary, please send multiple emails as follows:

• an initial email with the covering explanatory letter and statutory notice, clearly labelled as 'Part 1' of the application (ensuring it is below 10 megabytes); and
• subsequent email(s) with the additional attachments, clearly labelled as 'Part 2', etc.

Statutory notices

Acquisitions which are subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the FATA) require a statutory notice to be submitted to FIRB in accordance with the relevant form as prescribed under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers (Notices) Regulations 1975 as follows:

• section 26A notice for acquisitions of interests in Australian urban land, either:
  • Form 3 (for all non-residential property);
  • Form 4 (for residential real estate purchased in individual name(s)); or
  • Form 5 (for residential real estate purchased in the name of a company or trust);
• section 26 notice for acquisitions of shares in an Australian corporation; or
• section 25 notice for all other acquisitions.

If you have already acquired the interest (for example, if you have entered an unconditional contract, or if the conditions have lapsed and your contract is now unconditional) without prior approval, you have breached the FATA - you should submit an application for retrospective approval (do not submit a statutory notice).

Click on the relevant page to access the application forms (including the relevant statutory notices), as well as specific details on how to submit an application:

• Residential real estate (including property that is zoned other than residential real estate but including a component of residential);
• Non-residential real estate;
• Existing corporation or business - acquisitions of shares or assets, or other arrangements resulting in control of an Australian business or corporation;
• New business, and
• Integrated tourism resort.

Please note that new streamlined application forms have been introduced for acquisitions of residential real estate which meet the eligibility criteria. Applications submitted on the previous forms (e.g. R3, C1 and/or Form 3 Notice under section 26A) are no longer valid.