KWM’s Guide to Takeovers and Schemes in Australia

Guide overview

This guide covers key legal issues and considerations involved in making, or responding to, an offer to acquire control of a publicly-listed entity in Australia, including:

• the general laws and regulatory bodies governing acquisitions of interests in listed entities;
• the most common methods of acquiring control (takeover bids and schemes of arrangement) and their relative merits;
• key factors and strategic considerations relevant to planning an acquisition;
• steps, documentation and timing involved in implementing an acquisition; and
• key issues for entities anticipating (or responding to) an approach.

This guide also provides general commentary on the legal and practical issues involved in takeovers and schemes of arrangement in Australia. The information in this guide is current as at 1 January 2023.