The Hon. Jim Chalmers, Australian Treasurer; The Hon. Rachel Reeves, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Joint Media Release, 17 April 2026

Today, Australia and the UK have signed an Investment Partnership to further unlock superannuation and pension capital investment between our countries.

This new agreement will help to secure more two-way investment in jobs and industries and strong returns for investors from both countries.

More trade and investment between Australia and the UK is in the interest of both countries, and that’s what this MoU is all about.

The MoU was signed by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the sidelines of the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington DC.

Its goal is to support an investment environment that helps superannuation and pension fund capital flow more easily in support of economic growth.

The partnership focuses on three areas of practical collaboration:

• Policy dialogue and the sharing of expertise.
• Reducing barriers to cross-border investment and promoting strong investment settings.
• Network-building to help facilitate investment opportunities that benefit members in both countries.

Australia and the United Kingdom share a longstanding economic partnership, and institutional investors in each market play a significant role in supporting economic growth.

Australia’s superannuation pool is the fourth largest in the world, with assets totalled at $4.5 trillion.

The UK’s pension market is the second largest globally, holding assets worth more than £3 trillion ($5.7 trillion). Access to this capital has the potential to drive growth in both economies.

By seeking out global investment opportunities, Australian super funds and UK pension funds are building diverse and resilient portfolios that can help deliver long-term retirement outcomes.

The MoU provides a framework for governments to work more closely together to support investment opportunities. This could include in areas of shared interest such as housing, renewable energy, infrastructure and venture capital. It will enable structured engagement between the Australian super funds and the Sterling 20 through joint missions, strengthening our investment environment and increasing the visibility of investment pipelines.

The MoU does not direct how funds invest. Each fund remains fully independent to act in the best financial interest of their members.

The UK Office for Investment and the Australian Treasury will lead this work with support from other government agencies.