The Financial Services Council welcomes the Government’s commitment to streamline the foreign investment framework, which will reduce unnecessary red tape for trusted institutions engaging in lower risk investment activity, while focusing scrutiny for higher-risk transactions.
CEO of the FSC Blake Briggs said: “The Treasurer’s announcement today to streamline the foreign investment review process by materially reducing red tape and costs for investors is a meaningful step toward making Australia a more attractive investment destination. This proposal builds on the important work already achieved by the Government in exempting inter-funding arrangements within global funds from FIRB fees and processes.
“Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) clearance currently needs to be obtained for most routine investment activities by global funds that do not aim for control of a company, with limited minor exceptions. These barriers deter investment in Australia. These routine investments are often made for the benefit of Australians’ retirement savings, and do not pose a national security risk to Australia.”
The FSC will work with the Government to ensure the reforms reflect a sensible shift toward a more risk-based approach that supports investment flows into Australia whilst maintaining important national interest safeguards.
The FSC, in its policy priorities report 2025, called for a level playing field under the foreign investment framework. Ensuring that trusted institutional investors face consistent, risk-based regulation will support stronger capital flows and economic growth.
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Media Contact: Bronwyn Allan – 0421 506 231 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Financial Services Council
The FSC is a peak body which sets mandatory Standards and develops policy for more than 100 member companies in one of Australia’s largest industry sectors, financial services. Our Full Members represent Australia’s retail and wholesale funds management businesses, superannuation funds, and financial advice licensees. Our Supporting Members represent the professional services firms such as ICT, consulting, accounting, legal, recruitment, actuarial and research houses. The financial services industry is responsible for investing more than $3 trillion on behalf of over 15.6 million Australians. The pool of funds under management is larger than Australia’s GDP and the capitalisation of the Australian Securities Exchange and is one of the largest pools of managed funds in the world.