Introductory notes
1. For the avoidance of doubt, in relation to education services, nothing in Chapter 8 (Investment) or Chapter 9 (Cross-Border Trade in Services) shall interfere with:
- the ability of individual education and training institutions to maintain autonomy in admissions policies (including in relation to considerations of equal opportunity for students and recognition of credits and degrees), in setting tuition rates and in the development of curricula or course content;
- non-discriminatory accreditation and quality assurance procedures for education and training institutions and their programmes, including the standards that must be met;
- government funding, subsidies or grants, such as land grants, preferential tax treatment and other public benefits, provided to education and training institutions; or
- the need for education and training institutions to comply with non-discriminatory requirements related to the establishment and operation of a facility in a particular jurisdiction.
2. For greater certainty, where Australia has more than one entry in its Schedule that could apply to a measure, each entry is to be read independently, and is without prejudice to the application of any other entry to the measure.
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
Market Access (Article 9.5) |
| Description: |
Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to the supply of a service by the presence of natural persons, subject to the provisions of Chapter 11 (Temporary Entry for Business Persons), that is not inconsistent with Australia's obligations under Article XVI of GATS. |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure according preferences to any Indigenous person or organisation or providing for the favourable treatment of any Indigenous person or organisation in relation to acquisition, establishment or operation of any commercial or industrial undertaking in the service sector. Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to investment that accords preferences to any Indigenous person or organisation or providing for the favourable treatment of any Indigenous person or organisation. For the purpose of this entry, an Indigenous person means a person of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
| Existing Measures: |
Legislation and ministerial statements at all levels of government including Australia's foreign investment policy, and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
Market Access (Article 9.5) |
| Description: |
Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure at the regional level of government that is not inconsistent with Australia's obligations under Article XVI of GATS. For the purposes of this entry, Australia's Schedule of Specific Commitments is modified as set out in Appendix A. For the purposes of this entry, the reference to Australia's commitments under Article XVI of GATS includes commitments made under that Article after the date of entry into force of this Agreement. |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4) |
| Description: |
Investment1 Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to a proposed acquisition by a foreign person2 of an interest in Australian land3, other than developed commercial land or land that is used wholly and exclusively for a primary production business. |
| Existing Measures: |
Australia's Foreign Investment Framework, which |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4) |
| Description: |
Investment4 Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to the proposed acquisition by a foreign person5 of an interest in agricultural land6 where the cumulative value of agricultural land owned by the foreign person alone or together with associates, including the proposed acquisition, is above $A 15 million; Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to the proposed acquisition by a foreign person of an interest in an agribusiness where the cumulative value of the interest held by the foreign person in that agribusiness7, alone or together with associates, including the proposed acquisition, is above $A 55 million. |
| Existing Measures: |
Australia's Foreign Investment Framework, which comprises Australia's Foreign Investment Policy, the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth); Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth); Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Act 2015 (Cth); Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Regulation 2015 (Cth); Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998 (Cth); andMinisterial Statements. |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to:
|
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) Performance Requirements (Article 8.10) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure8 with respect to the provision of law enforcement and correctional services, and the following services9 to the extent that they are social services established or maintained for a public purpose: income security or insurance, social security or insurance, social welfare, public education, public training, health10, child care, public utilities, public transport and public housing. |
| Sector: |
Broadcasting and Audio-visual Services |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure14 with respect to:
This entry does not apply to foreign investment restrictions in the broadcasting and audio-visual services sector. |
| Existing Measures: |
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) |
| Sector: |
Broadcasting and Audio-visual Services |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment (Article 8.5 and Article 9.4) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain, under the International Co-production Program, preferential co-production arrangements for film and television productions. Official co-production status, which may be granted to a co-production produced under these co-production arrangements, confers national treatment on works covered by these arrangements. |
| Existing Measures: |
International Co-production Program |
| Sector: |
Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Services (other than audio-visual services) |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to the creative arts17,18 Indigenous traditional cultural expressions and other cultural heritage.19 |
| Sector: |
Distribution Services |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
Market Access (Article 9.5) |
| Description: |
Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to wholesale and retail trade services of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or firearms. |
| Sector: |
Education Services |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to primary education. |
| Sector: |
Gambling and Betting |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to gambling and betting. |
| Existing Measures: |
Legislation and ministerial statements including the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth). |
| Sector: |
Maritime Transport |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4 and Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to maritime cabotage services and offshore transport services.20 |
| Existing Measures: |
Customs Act 1901 (Cth) |
| Sector: |
Transport Services |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 8.4) |
| Description: |
Investment Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to investment in federal leased airports. |
| Existing Measures: |
Airports Act 1996 (Cth) |
| Sector: |
Services Related to Air Transportation |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
National Treatment (Article 9.3) |
| Description: |
Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure relating to the provision of ground handling services or airport operation services, as defined in Article 9.1 (Definitions), but only to the extent that Peru adopts or maintains any measure that does not allow Australian persons to provide such services under similar circumstances to Peruvian persons. |
| Sector: |
All |
|---|---|
| Obligations Concerned: |
Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment (Article 8.5 and Article 9.4) |
| Description: |
Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure that accords more favourable treatment to any service supplier or investor under any bilateral or multilateral international agreement in force or signed prior to the date of entry into force of this Agreement.21 Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure that accords more favourable treatment to any service supplier or investor of a Pacific Island Forum member state under any international agreement in force or signed after the date of entry into force of this Agreement. Australia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure that accords more favourable treatment to any service supplier or investor under any bilateral or multilateral international agreement in force or signed after the date of entry into force of this Agreement involving:
|
Appendix A
For the following sectors, Australia's commitments under Article XVI of GATS as set out in Australia's Schedule of Specific Commitments under the GATS (GATS/SC/6, GATS/SC/6/Suppl.1 GATS/SC/6/Suppl.1/Rev.1, GATS/SC/6/Suppl.2, GATS/SC/6/Suppl.3 and GATS/SC/6/Suppl.4) are improved as described below.
| Sector/subsector | Market Access Improvement |
|---|---|
|
BUSINESS SERVICES |
|
|
Professional Services |
|
|
Legal services22 |
|
|
Legal advisory and representational services in domestic law (host-country law) |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3. Mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Legal advisory services in foreign law and international law and (in relation to foreign and international law only) legal arbitration and conciliation/mediation services. |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1 and 2, mode 3 is limited as follows: In South Australia, natural persons practising foreign law may only join a local law firm as a consultant and may not enter into partnership with or employ local lawyers. Mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Research and development services |
|
|
Research and Development (R&D) services on natural sciences and engineering (CPC 851) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Interdisciplinary research and development (R&D) services (CPC 853) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Other business services |
|
|
Landscape architectural services (CPC 86742) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Technical testing and analysis services (CPC 8676) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Site preparation work for mining (CPC 5115) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Services incidental to manufacturing (CPC 884 and 885, except for 88442). |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Related scientific and technical consulting services (CPC 8675) |
|
|
- Geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services (CPC 86751) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
- Subsurface surveying services (CPC 86752) |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section, for the whole sector. |
|
- Map-making services (CPC 86754) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Maintenance and repair of equipment (not including maritime vessels, aircraft or other transport equipment) (CPC 633 and 8861-8866). |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Packaging services (CPC 8760) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Specialty design services (CPC 87907) |
Replace existing commitments on Interior Design with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
COMMUNICATION SERVICES |
|
|
This covers the following sub-sectors from the Services Sectoral Classification List (W/120) and related CPC numbers 7521,7522,7523, 7529**:
|
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Other general construction work for civil engineering (CPC 511, 515 and 518) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 2 and 3, mode 1 unbound*, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES |
|
|
Commission agents' services (CPC 62111, 62112**, 62113-62118) Includes services by commission agents, commodity brokers, auctioneers and other wholesalers who trade on behalf of others, of food products, and non-alcoholic beverages. Excludes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and firearms. |
|
|
Wholesale trade services (CPC 6221**, 6222**, 6223 - 6228**) Wholesale trade services of agricultural raw materials and live animals. Excludes wholesale trade services of unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and firearms. |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Retailing services (CPC 631**, 63211**, 63212, 6322, 6323, 6324, 6325, 6329**, 61112, 6113, 6121) Australia's commitments in relation to these services extend to cover the following services not listed in relevant CPC classifications: inventory management of goods, assembling, sorting and grading of goods, breaking bulk, re-distribution and delivery services for retailing. Does not cover dispensing of pharmaceuticals, retailing services of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and firearms. |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 2 and 3, mode 1 unbound except for mail order, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Wastewater management (CPC 9401) This covers removal, treatment and disposal of household, commercial and industrial sewage and other waste waters including tank emptying and cleaning, monitoring, removal and treatment of solid wastes. |
Replace existing commitments on "Sewage services" with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Waste management (CPC 9402, 9403) This covers hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, treatment and disposal (including incineration, composting and landfill); sweeping and snow removal, and other sanitation services |
Replace existing commitments on "Refuse disposal services" and "Sanitation and similar services" with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Protection of ambient air and climate (CPC 9404) This covers services at power stations or industrial complexes to remove air pollutants; monitoring of mobile emissions and implementation of control systems or reduction programmes. |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Remediation and clean-up of soil and water (CPC 9406**)25 This covers cleaning-up systems in situ or mobile, emergency response, clean-up and longer term abatement of spills and natural disasters; and rehabilitation programmes (e.g. recovery of mining sits) including monitoring. |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Noise and vibration abatement (CPC 9405) This covers monitoring programmes, and installation of noise reduction systems and screens. |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Protection of biodiversity and landscape (CPC 9406**)26 This covers ecology and habitat protection and promotion of forests and promoting sustainable forestry. |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Other environmental and ancillary services (CPC 9409) This covers other environment protection services, including services related to environmental impact assessment. |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES |
|
|
Travel agencies and tour operators services (CPC 7471) |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
TRANSPORT SERVICES |
|
|
Air transport services |
|
|
Airport operation services, as defined in Article 9.1 (Definitions) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Ground handling services, as defined in Article 9.1 (Definitions) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Aircraft repair and maintenance services during which an aircraft is withdrawn from service, excluding so-called line maintenance (CPC 8868**) This covers establishments mainly engaged in periodic maintenance and repair (routine and emergency) of airframes (including wings, doors, control surfaces) avionics, engines and engine components, hydraulics, pressurisation and electrical systems and landing gear. Includes painting, other fuselage surface treatments and repair of flight-deck (and other) transparencies. Further includes rotary and glider aircraft. |
Replace existing commitment on "Maintenance and repair of aircraft" with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Selling and marketing of air transport services, as defined in Article 9.1 (Definitions) This commitment confirms, without extending, the application to air transport services of the following:
|
Insert new commitments with no limitations on mode 1 except that Retailing services (CPC 631**, 63211**, 63212, 61112, 6113, 6121, 6322, 6323, 6324, 6325, 6329**) are unbound except for mail order, no limitations on modes 2 and 3. Mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Rail transportation services |
|
|
Freight transportation (CPC 7112); |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1 and 2. Mode 3 is limited as follows:
Mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Road transportation services |
|
|
- Transportation of frozen or refrigerated goods (CPC 71231) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for mode 1. |
|
- Transportation of bulk liquids or gases (CPC 71232 ) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for mode 1. |
|
- Transportation of containerized freight (CPC 71233) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for mode 1. |
|
- Transportation of furniture (CPC 71234) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for mode 1. |
|
- Mail transportation (CPC 71235) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
- Freight transportation by man- or animal-drawn vehicles (CPC 71236) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
- Transportation of other freight (CPC 71239) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Rental of commercial vehicles with operator (CPC 7124) |
Insert new commitments with no limitations on modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section |
|
Services auxiliary to all modes of transport |
|
|
Storage and warehouse services (CPC 742 excluding maritime) Australia's commitment in relation to these services extends to cover the following services in addition to those listed in CPC 742: distribution centre services and materials handling and equipment services such as container station and depot services (excluding maritime). |
Replace existing commitments with no limitations for modes 2 and 3, mode 1 is unbound*, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Freight transport agency services (CPC 748 excluding maritime) Australia's commitment in relation to these services extends to cover the following services in addition to those listed in CPC 748: customs agency services and load scheduling services (excluding maritime). |
Replace existing commitments on "freight forwarding" with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
|
Other supporting and auxiliary transport services (CPC 749 excluding maritime) Australia's commitment in relation to these services extends to cover the following services in addition to those listed under CPC 749: container leasing and rental services (excluding maritime). |
Replace existing commitments on "pre-shipment inspections" with no limitations for modes 1-3, mode 4 is unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. |
* Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility.
** Indicates that the service specified constitutes only a part of the total range of activities covered by the CPC concordance.
1 The terms in this entry should be interpreted in accordance with Australia's Foreign Investment Framework as at the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
2 The term "foreign person" has the meaning set out in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth)and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth).
3 The terms "Australian land" and "interest in Australian land" have the meaning set out in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth)and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth).
4 The terms in this entry should be interpreted in accordance with Australia's Foreign Investment Framework as at the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
5 The term "foreign person" has the meaning set out in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth)and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth).
6 The term "agricultural land" has the meaning set out in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth)and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth).
7 The term "agribusiness" has the meaning set out in the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth)and Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015 (Cth).
8 For greater certainty, measures adopted or maintained with respect to the provision of services covered by this entry include measures for the protection of personal information relating to health and children.
9This includes any measure with respect to: the collection of blood and its components; the distribution of blood and blood-related products, including plasma derived products; plasma fractionation services; and the procurement of blood and blood-related products and services.
10For greater certainty, the subsidies programmes under Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medicare Benefits Scheme, or successor programmes, are not subject to Article 8.4 (National Treatment), Article 8.5 (Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment), and Article 8.11 (Senior Management and Boards of Directors), in accordance with Article 8.12(6)(b) (Non-Conforming Measures).
11 Applies only in respect of subparagraph (f).
12Applies only to the treatment as local content of New Zealand programmes or productions.
13Applies only in respect of subparagraph (e) and in respect of the licensing of services covered by subparagraph (d).
14For greater certainty, this includes the right to adopt or maintain measures under subparagraphs (a) through (f) with respect to the services supplied by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation.
15Any such measure will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with Australia's commitments under Article XVI and Article XVII of GATS.
16 In respect of subparagraph (e), Australia's reservation applies only in respect of Article 9.5 (Market Access) and Article 9.6 (Local Presence).
17 For the purposes of this entry, "creative arts" means: the performing arts (including live theatre, dance and music); visual arts and craft; literature (other than literary works transmitted electronically); and hybrid art works, including those which use new technologies to transcend discrete art form divisions. For live performances of the "creative arts", as defined, this entry does not extend beyond subsidies and grants for investment in Australian cultural activity.
18Notwithstanding this, such measures shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with Australia's commitments under Article XVI and Article XVII of GATS, as applicable.
19For the purposes of this entry, "cultural heritage" means: ethnological, archaeological, historical, literary, artistic, scientific or technological moveable or built heritage, including the collections which are documented, preserved and exhibited by museums, galleries, libraries, archives and other heritage collecting institutions.
20 For the purposes of this entry, "cabotage" is defined as the transportation of passengers or goods between a port located in Australia and another port located in Australia and traffic originating and terminating in the same port located in Australia. "Offshore transport" refers to shipping services involving the transportation of passengers or goods between a port located in Australia and any location associated with or incidental to the exploration or exploitation of natural resources of the continental shelf of Australia, the seabed of the Australian coastal sea and the subsoil of that seabed.
21 For greater certainty, this right extends to any differential treatment accorded pursuant to a subsequent review or amendment of the relevant bilateral or multilateral international agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes measures adopted or maintained under any existing or future protocol to the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA), done at Canberra on 28 March 1983.
22 For the purposes of this entry:
"legal advisory services" – includes provision of advice to and consultation with clients in matters, including transactions, relationships and disputes, involving the application or interpretation of law; participation with or on behalf of clients in negotiations and other dealings with third parties in such matters; and preparation of documents governed in whole or in part by law, and the verification of documents of any kind for purposes of and in accordance with the requirements of law. Does not include advice, consultation and documentation services performed by service suppliers entrusted with public functions, such as notary services, or services provided by patent or trade mark attorneys.
"legal representational services" – includes preparation of documents intended to be submitted to courts, administrative agencies, and other duly constituted official tribunals in matters involving the application and interpretation of law; and appearance before courts, administrative agencies, and other duly constituted official tribunals in matters involving the application and interpretation of the specified body of law. (Note: The inclusion of representational services before administrative agencies and other duly constituted official tribunals within the context of legal services does not necessarily mean that a licensed lawyer must supply such services in all cases. The precise scope of services subject to licensing requirements is subject to the discretion of the relevant regulatory authority.) Does not include documentation services performed by service suppliers entrusted with public functions, such as notary services, or services provided by patent or trade mark attorneys.
"legal arbitration, conciliation and mediation services" – preparation of documents to be submitted to, preparation for and appearance before, an arbitrator, conciliator or mediator in any dispute involving the application and interpretation of law. Does not include arbitration, conciliation and mediation services in disputes for which the law has no bearing which fall under services incidental to management consulting. As a sub-category, international legal arbitration, conciliation and mediation services refer to the same services when the dispute involves parties from two or more countries.
"domestic law (host country law)" – the law of Australia.
"foreign law" – the law of the territories of WTO Members and other countries other than the law of Australia.
"international law" – includes law established by international treaties and conventions, as well as customary law.
For the purposes of these definitions:
"arbitration" is taken to mean a process in which the parties to a dispute present arguments and evidence to a dispute resolution practitioner (the arbitrator) who makes a determination.
"mediation" is taken to mean a process in which the parties to a dispute, with the assistance of a dispute resolution practitioner (the mediator), identify the disputed issues, develop options, consider alternatives and endeavour to reach an agreement. The mediator has no advisory or determinative role in regard to the content of the dispute or the outcome of its resolution, but may advise on or determine the process of mediation whereby resolution is attempted.
"conciliation" is taken to mean a process in which the parties to a dispute, with the assistance of a dispute resolution practitioner (the conciliator), identify the issues in dispute, develop options, consider alternatives and endeavour to reach an agreement. The conciliator may have an advisory role on the content of the dispute or the outcome of its resolution, but not a determinative role. The conciliator may advise on or determine the process of conciliation whereby resolution is attempted, and may make suggestions for terms of settlement, give expert advice on likely settlement terms, and may actively encourage the participants to reach an agreement.
23 Australia's commitments on environmental services exclude the provision of water for human use, including water collection, purification and distribution through mains.
24The classification scheme adopted on environmental services is largely based upon the scheme proposed by the European Communities (EC) in 2000 (see pages 6-7 of the EC paper "GATS 2000: Environmental Services", S/CSS/W/38), but see especially footnote 22 above.
25 This commitment and Australia's commitment on protection of biodiversity and landscape combine to cover the entirety of CPC 9406 services.
26 This commitment and Australia's commitment on remediation and clean-up of soil and water combine to cover the entirety of CPC 9406 services.