Chinese investment into Australia slumped 40 per cent last year, twice the drop worldwide, according to new figures, which highlight the impact of Beijing's crackdown on trophy acquisitions and Canberra's tougher stance on sensitive infrastructure and property.

A new public database to be released on Monday by the Australian National University, supported by Treasury and with input from the Reserve Bank of Australia, shows Chinese commercial investment peaked in 2016 at $14.9 billion, before falling to $8.9 billion last year.