Transactions & Deals in Australia

Essentials guide · Source-checked research48% of statements checked against a source30 checked against an official source0 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-1913 held back until checked against an official source10 topics include AI-written statements, not source-checkedNot yet professionally reviewed

• Under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, a foreign person must notify the Treasurer and obtain approval before taking a notifiable action; the monetary threshold for most business investments is AUD 347 million.

  Federal. Private investors from certain free trade agreement partners have a threshold of AUD 1,498 million, but AUD 347 million still applies to sensitive businesses. Acquiring a direct interest in a national security business, and most direct interests acquired by foreign government investors, need approval regardless of value. Other thresholds apply to land and agribusiness. The Treasurer can also review non-notifiable actions on national security grounds.Australian Government, Foreign Investment in Australia · checked 2026-10-19

• Since 1 January 2026, acquisitions that meet the notification thresholds must be notified to the ACCC and must not be completed without approval.

  Federal. The thresholds are based on the parties' revenue and transaction value and are set in the Competition and Consumer (Notification of Acquisitions) Determination 2025. Voluntary notification is possible where it is unclear whether a threshold is met.Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) · checked 2026-10-19

• The foreign investment framework is independent of ACCC merger control, though both consider competition, so foreign acquirers need to deal with each one. The ACCC's interim guidelines explain how the two interact.

  Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) · checked 2026-10-19

• Federal insolvency options for companies include voluntary administration, liquidation, receivership and a small business restructuring process.

  Small business restructuring is for companies with liabilities below AUD 1 million. Directors can be personally liable for insolvent trading, subject to a safe harbour.AI-written, not source-checked

Read the full guide: Entry, investment and company formation · Deals, competition and restructuring