Financial Sector (Shareholdings) approval to hold a stake No. 9 of 2026 - Wise Australia Pty Ltd
Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998
To: The persons named in Schedule A (together, the applicants)
SINCE:
- The applicants have applied to the Treasurer under subsection 13(1) of the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998 (the Act) for approval hold the following stakes of more than 20% in Wise plc, Wise Financial Holdings Ltd, Wise Payments Ltd, Wise Australia Pty Ltd (each a financial sector company):
- Wise Payments Ltd to hold 100% stake in Wise Australia Pty Ltd;
- Wise Financial Holdings Ltd to hold 100% stake in Wise Payments Ltd;
- Wise plc to hold 100% stake in Wise Financial Holdings Ltd;
- Wise Group plc to hold 100% stake in Wise plc.
- I am satisfied that it is in the national interest to approve the applicants holding a stake of more than 20% in the relevant financial sector company.
I, Bernadette Donovan, a delegate of the Treasurer, under paragraph 14(1)(a) of the Act, APPROVE:
- Wise Payments Ltd to hold 100% stake in Wise Australia Pty Ltd;
- Wise Financial Holdings Ltd to hold 100% stake in Wise Payments Ltd;
- Wise plc to hold 100% stake in Wise Financial Holdings Ltd;
- Wise Group plc to hold 100% stake in Wise plc.
This instrument commences on the day it is made and remains in force indefinitely.
Date: 27 March 2026
Bernadette Donovan
General Manager (Acting)
General Insurance and Banking Division
Interpretation
In this instrument:
APRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
financial sector company has the meaning given in section 3 of the Act.
stake in relation to a company, has the meaning given in clause 10 of Schedule 1 to the Act.
Notes
This instrument will be registered on the Federal Register of Legislation as a notifiable instrument.
The Treasurer or the Treasurer’s delegate is required to give a copy of this instrument to the financial sector company.
Section 19 of the Act provides for flow-on approvals for an approval under paragraph 14(1)(a) of the Act. If the approval relates to a financial sector company that is a holding company for an authorised deposit-taking institution or an authorised insurance company, subsection 19(1) provides for flow-on approvals that relate to each financial sector company that is a 100% subsidiary of the holding company. If the approval is held by a company, subsection 19(3) provides for flow-on approvals to be held by each officer of the company.
Schedule A – the applicants
1. Wise Payments Ltd
2. Wise Financial Holdings Ltd
3. Wise plc
4. Wise Group plc