The International Trade Network, hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provides opportunities to connect and engage people working on, or with an interest in, international trade and investment policy.
The Network brings together trade professionals in Australia from government, the private sector, think tanks, academia and the diplomatic corps to enhance dialogue and collaboration on trade and investment policy issues, including linkages to broader foreign and domestic policies. It's also open to future trade professionals who want to learn more about trade and investment policy.
The Network holds a range of activities, including panel discussions, and networking opportunities, both online and in-person in Canberra, Australia. It also promotes career opportunities in international trade, particularly among groups traditionally underrepresented in this field.
In October 2025, the Network held an engaging and timely panel discussion on securing Australia’s economic future in the context of services supply chains and technological change. The panel was comprised of experts Erika Ly (International Practice Lead, Tech Council of Australia), Kate Pounder (Australia Lead, OpenAI) and Paul Hubbard (Co-Head of AI CoLab and Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance), and was moderated by Kate Willcox, Assistant Secretary, DFAT.
Register to join DFAT's International Trade Network to receive invitations to Network events and other information relating to Australia's trade and investment policies. Membership is free and open to current and aspiring trade professionals at all stages of their career.
Upcoming events*
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2026 | ITN Special Event: Featuring the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in conversation with DFAT Deputy Secretary George Mina | The discussion will cover trends, opportunities and ongoing challenges in the trade portfolio in 2026. |
*Schedule subject to change. Events generally conducted under the Chatham House Rule.
2024-25 panel events
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 27 October 2025 | Securing Australia’s Economic Future: Services Supply Chains in an Era of Technological Change | In a wide-ranging discussion, panellists explored how countries and industries worldwide are responding to technological developments, and what new opportunities, risks and policy questions this presents for Australia’s services trade and policy settings. |
| 1 July 2025 | Australia in the G20 and APEC Panel | Panellists offered their perspectives on the changing global economic order and the current health of the international and regional economic architecture, including how institutions such as APEC and the G20 can respond to the new global context, and Australia’s role in these forums. |
| 27 May 2025 | Trade and the Pacific Panel | Panellists discussed the challenges for regional and international trade engagement in the Pacific, the importance of rules-based trade policies, and how government and the private sector can capitalise on opportunities to strengthen the region’s trading conditions. |
| 29 November 2024 | Economic Resilience and Security Panel | Panellists discussed the concept of economic security and how this new reality is impacting Australia’s trading environment. |
| 14 August 2024 | Global strategic competition and technological innovation | With keynote remarks by Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Daren Tang, panellists explored intellectual property and its role in trade and international relations, including contemporary challenges, such as geostrategic contest, technological advances and AI. |
| 1 July 2024 | Reglobalisation – The Future of Trade Panel | Panellists explored the future of trade and the multilateral trading system in a changing landscape, responding to decarbonisation, the energy transition, supply chain dependencies, and national security considerations. |
| 19 March 2024 | Gender and Trade | Panel on Gender and Trade Policy – Taking gender equality from policy to practice. |
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