Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025
What it actually does
Replaces much of the overseas investment screening process with a national interest test under which most consents must be granted within 15 working days unless risks are identified, and lets Active Investor Plus visa holders seek consent to buy or build one residential property worth $5 million or more. Passed under urgency on 12 December 2025 and assented on 18 December 2025.
Source: Buddle Findlay · 2025-12
The Trump take
“Five-million-dollar houses for golden visa people? I invented the gold card, folks. They copied me. I'm flattered, but they copied me.”parody
Why it scored this way
Deals & property
Rolls out the welcome mat for rich investors and luxury home buyers
+2
Loves it
Red tape
Faster, lighter foreign investment approvals
+1
Likes it
China
Lighter screening could make it easier for Chinese capital
-1
Dislikes it
On the same topics
Budget 2024 income tax cuts and landlord interest deductibility
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Fast-track Approvals Act
Passed in December 2024 along party lines, the Act created a one-stop consenting process for listed infrastructure, housing, mining and energy projects. Final approval decisions sit with expert panels rather than standard resource consent processes.
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024
Creates a one-stop consenting regime for listed infrastructure, housing, energy and mining projects, with expert panels deciding applications and ministers holding a role in referrals. Passed its third reading on 17 December 2024 on coalition votes and received royal assent in December 2024.