Navigating Australia’s new Public Country-by-Country Reporting Regime: What multinationals need to know
Who does this impact?
This regime applies to multinational groups that meet the following thresholds:
- Annual global income ≥ AUD 1 billion
- Australian-sourced turnover ≥ AUD 10 million
- Must be part of a CBC reporting group and have a presence in Australia (either as a resident or via a permanent establishment)
Importantly, the reporting obligation lies with the parent entity, not the Australian subsidiary. This means that even if your Australian operations are relatively modest, your global footprint could trigger the requirement.
What are the key dates & deadlines?
The regime kicks off for reporting periods starting after 1 July 2024. For example:
| Reporting period end | First applicable period | Report due |
|---|---|---|
| 30 June | 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025 | 30 June 2026 |
| 31 December | 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025 | 31 December 2026 |
| 31 March | 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 | 31 March 2027 |
Reports must be submitted within 12 months of the end of the reporting period.
What needs to be reported?
Public CBC reports must include:
- The legal name of the reporting parent
- The names of all entities in the CBC reporting group
- A description of the group’s approach to tax
- Detailed information about Australia and specified jurisdictions (e.g., Singapore, Switzerland)
- Information about other jurisdictions, either on a CBC or aggregated basis
Reports must be submitted electronically in XML format, and the ATO will publish them on a government website to ensure public accessibility.
Registration & lodgement
Before lodging, Public CBC reporting parents must register with the ATO using a fillable PDF form. Registration enables lodgement, extension requests, and representative authorisation. Lodgement is via email, and the ATO will acknowledge receipt electronically.
Compliance & corrections
- Material errors must be corrected within 28 days of discovery
- Penalties apply for non-compliance
- Exemptions may be available for certain entities, including government-related bodies
How this differs from existing CBC reporting?
This public disclosure requirement is separate from the existing confidential CBC reporting obligations for Significant Global Entities (SGEs). The new regime runs in parallel, meaning:
- The parent entity prepares and lodges the public CBC report
- The taxpayer continues to self-assess and comply with standard CBC reporting as before
How we can help
Navigating dual reporting obligations, understanding jurisdictional nuances, and ensuring timely lodgement can be complex. That’s where we come in.
We offer end-to-end support with:
- Assessing your public CBC obligations
- Coordinating registration and lodgement
- Preparing compliant, accurate reports
- Advising on exemption eligibility
Whether you're preparing for your first reporting period or seeking clarity on your obligations, our team is ready to guide you through every step. For more information, please contact your usual Forvis Mazars advisor or alternatively our tax specialists via the form below or on:
| Melbourne – Robert James | Sydney – Lauren Hill |
| +61 3 9252 0800 | +61 2 9922 1166 |
Published: 22 August 2025
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