Australia: Government, Public Sector

Australia's federal government welcomes foreign investment, but the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regime has become increasingly complex. This comprehensive guide examines critical considerations for foreign investors, including investor profiles, investment types, mandatory filing thresholds, available exemptions, procedural requirements, filing fees, and the Treasurer's enforcement powers.

Singapore and Southeast Asian investors looking to enter the Australian market through M&A face unique regulatory, structural and commercial considerations that differ significantly from their home jurisdictions. This comprehensive guide examines the typical transaction lifecycle, current investment trends between Singapore and Australia, and critical pre-transaction decisions around deal structure, FIRB clearance, and term sheet negotiations that can determine the success of cross-border acquisitions.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to reform its foreign resident capital gains tax regime, removing the controversial retrospective application of expanded 'real property' definitions while maintaining prospective changes that will significantly broaden the CGT base for foreign investors in Australian land, infrastructure and energy assets.

The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 introduces sweeping reforms to NSW's construction regulatory framework, consolidating multiple Acts into a unified system. This second instalment examines the Bill's provisions on practitioner registration, disciplinary proceedings, investigations, and expanded Secretary powers—revealing how the new regime will reshape compliance obligations, enforcement mechanisms, and oversight of both practitioners and approval authorities across the building ind

New South Wales has introduced mandatory compliance with minister-approved codes of practice under section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, requiring businesses to either follow published codes or implement equivalent or higher safety standards. This legislative change exposes non-compliant businesses to separate penalties beyond existing duty of care obligations, marking a significant shift from the previous evidentiary role of codes in most Australian jurisdictions.

A coronial inquest into the death of Simon Gaskill reveals critical failures in hospital discharge planning for homeless patients with complex health needs. The case examines how standard discharge procedures failed to account for the practical realities of homelessness, leaving a vulnerable patient without meaningful access to follow-up care.

The second phase of New South Wales' most expansive overhaul of firearms regulation recently took place, marking the biggest leap in firearms and gun licence laws since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The reforms are enshrined in the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW), and were passed in an emergency sitting just days after the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025.

The Australian Government's 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy outlines a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the nation's sovereign defence industrial base through procurement reform, industrial growth initiatives, and enhanced export capabilities. How will the establishment of the Defence Industry Hub, Industrial Development Agreements, and the new Defence Delivery Agency reshape Australia's defence sector and accelerate capability delivery?

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

The Australian Government's 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy outlines a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the nation's sovereign defence industrial base through procurement reform, industrial growth initiatives, and enhanced export capabilities. How will the establishment of the Defence Industry Hub, Industrial Development Agreements, and the new Defence Delivery Agency reshape Australia's defence sector and accelerate capability delivery?

The Australian Government has identified Western Australia as the location of Henderson Defence Precinct and the operational hub for AUKUS.

On 7 May 2026, the Federal Government announced a mandatory domestic gas reservation scheme, to be legislated through Parliament.