International trade is crucial for Australia. 1 in 4 jobs is trade-related, and two-way trade in goods is worth approximately $1 trillion. This is equivalent to 38% of our gross domestic product (GDP).
The current cross-border trade environment is complex. It is overseen by 32 Australian Government agencies, with 145 information and communications technology (ICT) systems and over 200 regulations for imports and exports. This impacts Australian businesses’ ability to compete internationally.
A simplified trade system will boost productivity growth, increase trade diversification and enhance global competitiveness for businesses of all sizes. It will create a simpler, more effective, and sustainable cross-border trade environment for Australia.
Simplified Trade System reforms
Businesses are already benefiting from the reforms achieved in partnership with Treasury, Australia Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) including:
- The Go Global Toolkit, a ‘one-stop shop’ information service delivered by Austrade for Australian exporters.
- Abolishing 457 nuisance tariffs on products accounting for $8.5 billion of annual trade, saving businesses time and compliance costs of over $30 million per annum.
- A new Biosecurity Portal, developed by DAFF, has replaced emails and phone calls with modern digital services for import brokers. Over 118,000 inspections were booked through this portal in 2024, saving brokers time and money.
- Electronic certificates (eCert) system led by DAFF, for Australian meat, dairy and seafood exports to the European Union (EU). These paperless sanitary certificates can now be amended within minutes and provided to the EU on short notice. They reduce the risk of costly delays and spoilage for perishable goods.
- Integrated Cargo System (ICS) real-time notifications, delivered by ABF, to notify system outages to business. This assists business to action supply chain contingency plans and minimise trade disruptions.
- The Digital Verification Platform (DVP), an initiative led by ABF, was a developmental tool to support a paperless trade environment aligned with international standards. It aimed to modernise trade by digitising and verifying trade documents, such as Certificates of Origin.
- A Customs Regulatory Sandbox established under the Customs Act 1901, led by ABF, to allow temporary exemptions from specific legislative provisions to trial regulatory reforms. It is deregulatory in nature and cannot impose additional legislative requirements.
- Foundations to enable a Single Trade Environment, led by ABF, to pilot a new client portal to lodge digitised trade documents securely and support enhanced identity verification for traders.
Government agencies are working together towards delivering more benefits to Australian traders through in-flight reforms by simplifying the current complex cross-border trade environment and making it easier for Australia to do business across international borders. Find out more about simplified trade reforms progress.
Simplified Trade System Unit
The Simplified Trade System (STS) Unit was established on 1 July 2024 in Austrade. The STS Unit is responsible for:
- a whole-of-government coordination of the STS reforms
- working with industry and government agencies to design and deliver digital and regulatory reforms that simplify and secure trade outcomes across Australia’s border.
The Unit’s work is informed by engagement with industry, Australian Government agencies responsible for cross-border trade and business stakeholders to ensure reforms are practical and address real-world needs. These relationships are crucial to the success of STS reforms and achieving whole-of-government outcomes. The Unit also maintains cooperative relationships with state and territory governments.
Key partner agencies include:
- Attorney-General's Department
- Australian Border Force
- Australian Taxation Office
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
The STS Unit was established following the conclusion of the STS Taskforce, which completed its funded work on 30 June 2024. For information on work completed by the Taskforce, contact the STS Unit.
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