What this law covers
The Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Act 2026 (No. 80, 2026) was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 26 August 2026 and is now in force. It amends the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.
The 2020 Act regulates agreements between Australian state and territory governments - and certain institutions including universities - and foreign governments. This amendment Act changes several provisions within that framework.
What the amendments cover
The amendments address the following areas within the existing Act:
- National interest assessments
- Information sharing between agencies
- Notification processes, including a one-step notification process for non-core foreign arrangements
- Public register requirements
- Overseas campuses of Australian universities
Who administers this law
This law is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Key actions
The following actions are relevant to entities covered by this legislation:
- Universities, state government bodies, or prescribed entities that have arrangements with foreign governments can review the amended Act at https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00080 to understand the notification, approval, and registration obligations that apply.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can be contacted for guidance on how the amendments affect specific arrangements, particularly regarding the updated notification process and public register requirements.
Relevance to small businesses
This law does not directly affect the day-to-day operations of small businesses, tradies, retailers, or other typical small and medium enterprises.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.