Latest media releases
- Korea FTA unlocks opportunities for small business
- Robb announces Korea FTA to take effect in 9 days
- Landmark China-Australia Free Trade Agreement
- Robb departs for China FTA and APEC talks
- Robb welcomes JSCOT backing of landmark Japan-Australia trade agreement
- TPP Trade Ministers Meeting over the weekend
- Robb to host TPP Trade Ministers' meeting
- Robb visits Korea to build KAFTA momentum
- Further milestones on implementation of the Korea-Australia FTA
- Signature of AANZFTA Protocol
January 2015
Information sessions: How to access preferential tariff treatment under JAEPA
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) is hosting information sessions on how to access preferential tariff treatment under JAEPA, following entry into force of the Agreement on 15 January 2015.
The session will provide an overview of the rules of origin chapter of JAEPA and will complement ACBPS' JAEPA Rules of Origin Instruction and Guidelines and the Australian Customs Notice on JAEPA Rules of Origin. The session will also provide information on how to identify the relevant tariff commitment and rules of origin for the goods imported.
Sessions are free to attend and will be held at the following locations:
- Melbourne, Monday 2 February 2015 - 9.30 am to 11.30 am
Holiday Inn, 10 - 14 Centre Road, Melbourne Airport - Sydney, Tuesday 3 February 2015 - 9.30 am to 11.30 am
Mercure Sydney, International Airport, 20 Levey St, Wolli Creek - Brisbane, Wednesday 4 February 2015 - 9.30 am to 11.30 am Novotel Brisbane Airport, 6-8 The Circuit
- Adelaide, Thursday 5 February 2015 - 9.30 am to 1.30 am
(Double session on JAEPA and the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement)
The Lakes Resort Hotel, 141 Brebner Drive, West Lakes - Perth, Friday 6 February 2015 - 9.30 am to 11.30 am
Esplanade Hotel, 40 Marine Terrace, Fremantle
To register, or to find out more about the session please email FTAeducation@customs.gov.au with your name, contact details and session preference. Please include the session location in the subject of your email.
JAEPA enters into force
The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on 15 January 2015.
December 2014
KAFTA enters into force
The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 12 December 2014
Media release: Korea FTA unlocks opportunities for small business
KAFTA to enter into force on 12 December 2014
Following the exchange of diplomatic notes between Australia and South Korea on 3 December, KAFTA will enter into force on 12 December 2014.
Media release: Robb announces Korea FTA to take effect in 9 days
November 2014
Conclusion of China-Australia FTA negotiations
In a ceremony held at Parliament House on 17 November, the Minister
for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb, and Chinese Commerce Minister,
Gao Hucheng, signed a Declaration of Intent in the presence Prime
Minister Abbott and Chinese President Xi, formalising the conclusion of
the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) negotiations. Both
sides have undertaken to prepare legal texts of the Agreement for
signature.
ChAFTA lays an historic foundation for the next phase of Australia's
successful economic relationship with China. Upon entry into force, the
Agreement will unlock significant commercial opportunities for
Australia. China is Australia's largest export market for both goods and
services, accounting for nearly a third of total exports, and a growing
source of foreign investment.
- Media release: Conclusion of China-Australia Free Trade Agreement
- Key Outcomes
September 2014
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties completes review and implementing legislation introduced to Parliament
September 2014
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) tabled the report of its inquiry into the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) in Parliament on 4 September 2014. JSCOT report 142 recommended that binding treaty action be taken.
The Government subsequently introduced legislation needed to implement the Agreement into Parliament on 4 September 2014. The Customs Amendment (Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 and their explanatory memoranda were introduced into the House of Representatives by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Mr Scott Morrison.
Media release: Further milestones on implementation of the Korea-Australia FTA
July 2014
Tabling of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement in the Australian Parliament
July 2014
Minister Robb tabled the text of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement with the National Interest Analysis in the Australian Parliament on 14 July 2014. The Agreement will now be considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT). More information about JSCOT and details on how to make a submission.
Signature of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement
On 8 July 2014 Prime Minister Abbott and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement during an official ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Media release: Historic trade deal with Japan to drive growth
April 2014
Signature of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement
The Minister for Trade and Investment Mr Robb and his South Korean counterpart, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Mr Yoon Sang-jick, signed the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement on 8 April 2014. The ceremony was witnessed by Australian Prime Minister Mr Abbott and his South Korean counterpart, President of South Korea Ms Park Geun-hye.
Conclusion of Negotiations with Japan
On 7 April 2014 Prime Minister Abbott announced the conclusion of negotiations on the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement.
The agreement will provide valuable preferential access for Australia's exports, better than any of Japan's agreements with other partners. Australia and Japan are natural partners with highly complementary economies. The agreement will bring our economies and societies even closer and underpin a strong relationship for many years to come.
Republic of Korea's interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Republic of Korea has formally expressed interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Australia and other TPP countries have welcomed its interest and are now undertaking a bilateral process with Korea to discuss its readiness to join.
To assist in this process we would welcome further submissions and comments from stakeholders considering Korea's possible involvement in the TPP. Submissions can be made by email to tpp@dfat.gov.au. Please note all submissions will be made publicly available on the DFAT website unless the author specifies otherwise.
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) enters into force for Indonesia
Australia welcomed entry-into-force for Indonesia on 10 January 2012. AANZFTA is now in force for all 12 signatories: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
At the inaugural Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders' meeting, 20 November 2011 in Bali, Indonesia, Prime Minister Gillard and President Yudhoyono stated in their Joint Communique, "Great potential exists to promote trade and investment links between the two economies – the two largest in the region. We welcomed the entry into force of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and committed to commence negotiations on an Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement at the earliest opportunity".
More information: ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA
Amendments to the Singapore-Australia FTA
Singapore and Australia have completed the second review of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The amendments entered into force on 2 September 2011.
The second review amended Chapters 8, 10, and 13 as well as Annexes 3A, 4-I(A), 4-II(A), 4-I(B) and 4-II(B). Key changes include:
- Singapore and Australia to accord investors from each country fair and equitable treatment when investing in the other country;
- prohibition of performance requirements; and
- amendments to reflect changes to legislation in Australia (the Copyright Amendment Act 2006) and Singapore resulting from each country's bilateral FTA with the United States.
View the full, amended agreement here.
WTO: World Trade Report 2011
The most recent World Trade Report from the World Trade Organization looks at the ever-expanding, global network of preferential trade agreements (PTAs). The paper finds that these agreements often go beyond "shallow" tariff-reduction to facilitate deeper economic integration through coverage of non-tariff regulatory issues that lie "behind the border".
World Trade Report 2011, The WTO and preferential trade agreements: From co-existence to coherence.
Other news
- Fifth meeting of the FTA Joint Committee, Cairns, Australia 17-21 June 2013: Summary of Outcomes
- Fourth meeting of the FTA Joint Committee, Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam 7-11 May 2012: Summary of Outcomes [PDF]
- Third meeting of the FTA Joint Committee, Wellington, New Zealand 30 May-3 June 2011: Summary of Outcomes [PDF]
- Media release: Australia and India launch free trade negotiations. 12 May 2011
- Media release: Australia welcomes Indian decision on a Free Trade Agreement. 1 May 2011
- Media release: Trade Minister visits Indonesia. 17 April 2011
- Media release: Gillard Government reforms Australia's trade policy. 12 April 2011
- Media release: Productivity Commission report on bilateral and regional trade agreements
- Speech: The future of trade policy in an uncertain world" – Speech to Lowy Institute
- Update: Fourth round of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) Negotiations
- Second meeting of the FTA Joint Committee, Melbourne, Australia 24-25 November 2010: Summary of Outcomes [PDF]
- Media release: Emerson welcomes fresh start on Japan-Australia trade negotiations
- Joint announcement on the commencement of negotiations on an Indonesia-Australia Economic Partnership
- Trade Minister welcomes launch of Australia-Indonesia negotiations
- Australia-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement Negotiations continue
- November 2010 update on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus negotiations
- Third Round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations – Malaysia joins