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Cross-Border & FDI Advisory

Practical advice on investing into and out of Australia, from foreign investment approval to market entry, structuring, and tax.

Supporting Confident Cross-Border Investment

Investing into Australia, or taking an Australian business offshore, means navigating a foreign investment regime, choosing the right structure, and getting the tax right, often before the deal can complete.

Ascentium guides foreign investors and Australian businesses through the commercial, tax, structuring, and establishment side of cross-border investment, and supports the foreign investment approval process, working alongside your legal advisers, so your investment proceeds smoothly.

What Makes Cross-Border Investment Complex?

Foreign direct investment is welcomed in Australia, but investors still need to manage screening requirements, structuring decisions and increasing tax scrutiny. Getting these right early helps keep the investment on track.

Foreign Investment Is Screened

Many foreign investments into Australia require approval before they complete, screened by the Treasurer on the advice of the Foreign Investment Review Board against Australia’s national interest.

A Changing, Risk-Based Framework

The regime is moving to a risk-based model, faster for low-risk investors and tougher in sensitive sectors such as critical infrastructure, critical minerals, and sensitive data, and is under active reform.

Greater Scrutiny

The ATO increasingly scrutinises investors’ tax arrangements through the approval process, and tax conditions can be attached to an approval, so the tax structuring needs to be right early.

Structure and Establishment Matter

How you structure and establish the investment shapes the approval, the tax, and the ongoing compliance, so these decisions are best made together and up front.

How We Support Your Cross-Border Investment

We work through the investment in a clear sequence, so the approval, the structure, and the tax all line up before completion.
Step 1

Understand the Investment

We start with the direction of the investment, the target or business, the sector, and the parties involved.

Step 2

Assess the Foreign Investment Requirements

We help assess whether foreign investment approval is required, and the likely risk profile of the proposal under the regime.

Step 3

Structure the Investment

We structure the investment to be tax-effective and consistent with the approval requirements, working through the entity, financing, and ownership.

Step 4

Support the Approval and Establishment

We support the foreign investment application alongside your legal advisers, and establish the Australian entity where the investment is inbound.

Step 5

Meet Ongoing Obligations

We help you meet any conditions attached to an approval, post-approval reporting, and the foreign ownership register, so compliance continues after completion.

What Our Cross-Border & FDI Advisory Covers

From the foreign investment approval through to establishment, structuring, tax, and ongoing compliance, we cover the full investment journey.

Foreign Investment (FIRB) Application Support

Inbound Market Entry & Establishment

Investment Structuring

Cross-Border Tax

Outbound Investment Advisory

Foreign Ownership Compliance & Reporting

Why Choose Ascentium

Foreign investment sits at the meeting point of regulation, tax, and establishment, and benefits from a firm that can handle all three with global reach.  

With the ATO increasingly focused on tax through the approval process, our tax and structuring expertise is exactly where the risk now sits, and where we add the most value.

Business Executives Strategy Meeting

Cross-Border Investment, Backed by a Global Network

Practical tax and structuring advice supported by Australian specialists and a wider global network.

Related Leaders

Mark Wellings headshot

Mark Wellings

Managing Director, Tax & Advisory

Derek Xie headshot

Derek Xie

Director

Justyn Wong headshot

Justyn Wong

Director, Tax & Advisory

Related Advisory Services

International Tax

Company Set Up

Resident Director

M&A Support

What Our Clients Are Saying

Brendma (Australia) Pty Ltd Logo
Client Since
2010
Client Rating
I've been thoroughly impressed with Ascentium's comprehensive approach to our company’s financial management. Their expert tax planning has helped us optimise our tax position, while quarterly reviews keep us informed about our company's financial health.

The management reports they provide are incredibly insightful, enabling us to analyse our business performance and make informed decisions. Their comprehensive business taxation services give us peace of mind, knowing our financial affairs are in expert hands.

I highly recommend Ascentium for their professionalism and dedication to client success. 
Victor Jeris
National Technical Sales Director
Brendma (Australia) Pty Ltd
Phyto-Therapy Pty Ltd LOGO
Client Since
2024
Client Rating
We have had the pleasure of working with Mark and the team at Ascentium across our business and financial requirements.

From a business perspective, they have provided advice and guidance across many areas, including supporting us through the sale of part of our business, as well as R&D grants, taxation, payroll and company structuring. Their proactive approach and practical advice have supported our growth and future planning.

Mark’s thoughtful approach and genuine care for clients also stands out, with clear, practical advice provided throughout our engagement. As a result, we highly recommend him and his team at Ascentium. 
Angeline Saver
Head - People and Culture
Phyto-Therapy Pty Ltd
Quiton Anthony Logo
Client Since
2022
Client Rating
Mark Wellings and his team at Ascentium provide proactive advice on tax structuring and organisational effectiveness that is deeply considered, clearly reasoned, and built around an understanding of our broader financial strategy. Their collaboration with our external bookkeeping and financial planning advisors is seamless, with execution matching the quality of their thinking.
Sergio Floyd
Founder & Managing Director
Quinton Anthony Pty Ltd
My Biologics Logo
Client Since
2015
Client Rating
Working with the team at Ascentium Australia has been an excellent experience. Their expertise across BAS lodgements, bookkeeping advice, multi-company tax returns, ASIC agent services, and ongoing compliance and advisory work has delivered real clarity and efficiency. Justyn and his team are reliable, knowledgeable, and consistently add value to our operations. 
Nicole Schoeman
Accounts & Administration
My Biologics Pty Ltd
braincast logo
Client Since
2008
Client Rating
We really appreciate the guidance we received from Ascentium through the process on the nature of information required for the submission and how to collate it in clear and concise language that translated policy requirements into tangible concepts. 
Dr. Govinda Poudel
Chief Technical Officer
BrainCast
David Anderson Building Logo
Client Since
2016
Client Rating

Working with Justyn, Kaaya, and the team has given us confidence and peace of mind as we’ve grown our businesses. As small business owners, having trusted advisors who genuinely understand our businesses and provide practical, proactive accounting and tax advice has been invaluable.

From their meticulous attention to our BAS, tax obligations, and financial reporting, to ensuring we remain compliant while helping us make informed business decisions, we’ve always felt supported and in safe hands.

Their responsiveness and ability to explain complex accounting matters in a clear and practical way has made a significant difference to our business journey.

David Anderson
Founder
David Anderson Building Pty Ltd
Scalare Partners
Client Since
2023
Client Rating
Ascentium’s ability to navigate complex accounting matters and regulatory requirements was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome for Scalare Partners. 
James Walker
Founding Partner
Scalare Partners
wisdom logo
Client Since
2021
Client Rating
The most valuable thing for me is freeing up my time and giving me a better understanding of my business revenue, expenses, and where we need to focus – now also extending to how I look at finances across my personal life as well. 
Dr Khaled Zhoud
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Wisdom Centre (Dr Khaled Zoud)
Thrive Refugee Enterprise
Client Since
2018
Client Rating
Ascentium has been a long-term partner of Thrive and we’re now at a stage in our growth together where our accounting processes represent best practice, supported by a robust back office function that performs the operational accounting and compliance effectively. 
Chris O'Neill
Financial Controller
Thrive Refugee Enterprise
UAG Bio Nutrients and UAG Macadamias
Client Since
2020
Client Rating
Their services are quite broad and they are remarkably detailed and concise in getting everything done. They do all our accounting, including the ASIC and shareholder work. 
John Barraclough
Executive Chairman
UAG Bio Nutrients & UAG Macadamias
Streem
Client Since
2021
Client Rating
The team at Ascentium offered a very comprehensive back end operational approach that was streamlined in order to reduce the amount of time required by Streem employees and management. This meant we could identify the real value drivers across the business. 
PK Rai
Chief Financial Officer
Streem

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Foreign direct investment (FDI) advisory is advice on investing into Australia, or taking an Australian business offshore. It covers the foreign investment approval process, market entry and establishment, investment structuring, cross-border tax, and the ongoing compliance that follows an investment.

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