Government Fee Structure
The Foreign Investment Review Board sets application fees through federal legislation. These fees are reviewed annually and typically increase each financial year. The current fee structure uses property value bands to determine your FIRB application cost.
For residential property purchases, the fee bands work as follows. Properties valued at $1 million or less attract a base fee. Each subsequent value band increases the fee amount. A property worth $2 million will cost more to process than one worth $800,000. Agricultural land acquisitions follow separate fee schedules based on cumulative landholding thresholds.
What's Included in Government Fees
Your FIRB fees cover the application assessment process. The Foreign Investment Review Board reviews your proposed acquisition, verifies your foreign person status, and assesses whether the investment meets national interest requirements. Processing times vary depending on application complexity and current workloads.
Standard residential applications typically receive decisions within 30 days. More complex commercial transactions or agricultural acquisitions may require extended timeframes. Paying the correct fee upfront prevents processing delays.
Our Fixed Fee Legal Services
Beyond government charges, you need legal assistance to prepare and lodge your FIRB application correctly. Many law firms bill by the hour, leaving you uncertain about final costs. We take a different approach.
Our fixed fee FIRB application service covers everything: initial assessment of your situation, preparation of all required documentation, lodgement with the Foreign Investment Review Board, communication with FIRB during processing, and delivery of your approval letter. One clear price quoted before we begin work.
Additional Costs to Consider
Foreign investors should budget for several related expenses beyond the FIRB approval cost. State and territory governments impose foreign purchaser surcharges on stamp duty. These surcharges range from 7% to 9% depending on location. Annual vacancy fees may apply if you leave residential property unoccupied.
Some investors require compliance advice for ongoing obligations after purchase. Conditions attached to FIRB approvals often include development commencement deadlines for vacant land or disposal requirements when temporary visa holders leave Australia permanently.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Every foreign investment situation differs. Your FIRB fees depend on property value, property type, your visa status or overseas residency, and whether you're an individual or corporation. We provide accurate fee quotes after understanding your specific circumstances. Contact our team with your property details and we'll confirm both government fees and our fixed legal service fee within one business day.
