FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE

The question of foreign ownership of Australian agricultural land and agricultural businesses was raised in Federal Parliament during the latter half of 2010 and as a result, ABS has been requested to conduct a survey in order to provide the answers to that question.

The data will be collected via a new ABS survey under the Census and Statistics Act 1905. Known as the Agricultural Land and Water Ownership Survey (ALWOS) it is intended to address the current lack of information available on foreign ownership in Australia, such as land and water entitlements. This information to be collected is not currently available through other ABS collections or external data sources. By conducting the survey, the ABS fulfils the need for information on foreign ownership of agricultural assets in Australia.

To meet those information needs, the ALWOS is specifically designed to deliver the output requirements and priorities identified through consultation with key stakeholders such as the Department of Treasury. The Environment and Agriculture Business Statistics Centre (EABSC) will focus on ensuring that the survey will be fit for purpose and meet stakeholder expectations.

The Survey forms will be sent out in March 2011 and the final data is expected to be released in September 2011.