Australia’s foreign investment framework gives the Treasurer the power to decide whether to:

• not object to a proposed investment
• impose conditions on an investment
• prohibit a proposed investment
• require the disposal (sale, remove or transfer) of an interest that has been acquired, or otherwise unwind a transaction.

For most investment proposals (known as significant actions and notifiable actions) we look at whether the investment proposal is contrary to Australia’s national interest before making a decision.

Factors taken into account when assessing investments under the national interest test typically include:

• national security
• competition
• the impact on other Australian Government policies, like tax revenues and the environment
• the impact on the economy and the community
• the character of the investor.

For other investment proposals (known as notifiable national security actions and reviewable national security actions), we only look at whether the investment proposal is contrary to Australia’s national security. When assessing investments under the national security test, we consider the extent to which the investment will affect Australia’s ability to protect its strategic and security interests.

Australia's foreign investment policy