Sino Partners manages the complete dual-jurisdiction investment approval process for Chinese investment in Australia and New Zealand - coordinating FIRB/OIO approval in Oceania with NDRC/MOFCOM outbound approval in China in a single integrated engagement.
Chinese investment in Australian and New Zealand businesses, real estate and infrastructure requires navigation of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) in Australia or the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) in New Zealand. Simultaneously, Chinese investors must satisfy NDRC notification and MOFCOM approval requirements on the Chinese side.
Most advisory firms handle only one side of this equation. Sino Partners manages both - ensuring the Chinese outbound approval process and the Oceania inbound approval process are coordinated, aligned and progressed in parallel to minimise delays and maximise the probability of approval.
Dual-jurisdiction investment approval advisory for Chinese investors in Australia and New Zealand across all asset classes.
Australia's foreign investment framework requires FIRB notification or approval for a wide range of Chinese investments including acquisitions of Australian businesses, sensitive land, residential real estate and critical infrastructure. Sino Partners manages the complete FIRB application process.
Chinese investors making outbound investments must satisfy both NDRC notification requirements (for investments above USD 300 million or in sensitive sectors) and MOFCOM approval processes. These Chinese-side approvals must be coordinated with the Oceania-side process.
New Zealand's Overseas Investment Act requires OIO consent for Chinese investment in sensitive land (including residential, farm and foreshore land) and significant business assets. The OIO process involves a counterfactual assessment and a national benefit test.
Investment in Australia's healthcare, aged care, critical infrastructure and agricultural sectors triggers heightened FIRB scrutiny. Sino Partners provides sector-specific investment advisory that builds the strongest possible case for Chinese investment in these sensitive sectors.
Understanding the typical timeline for parallel FIRB and MOFCOM approvals is critical for transaction planning.
FIRB/OIO threshold assessment, MOFCOM scope determination, application preparation and internal approval briefings.
Simultaneous submission of FIRB application to Australian Treasury and MOFCOM registration/NDRC notification in China.
Active management of both processes - responding to additional information requests and progressing conditions discussions.
Receipt of FIRB/OIO approval (with conditions), confirmation of MOFCOM registration, and transaction close preparation.
We manage Chinese-side and Oceania-side approval processes simultaneously - the only firm with genuine dual-jurisdiction capability.
Established working relationships with Australian Treasury's Foreign Investment Division and experience across a wide range of transaction types.
Deep knowledge of Chinese outbound investment approval processes - including sector-specific sensitivities and current approval environment.
Specialist knowledge of FIRB policy in healthcare, aged care, infrastructure and resources - the sectors most relevant to Chinese investors in Oceania.
We negotiate conditions proactively rather than accepting them - often significantly reducing the operational burden of approval conditions.
Investment approval advisory is always connected to the commercial transaction - we ensure the approval process supports, not undermines, deal value.
Contact our investment approval team to discuss your proposed Chinese investment in Australia or New Zealand.
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