AUKUS countries export licence-free environment takes flight

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have released proposed changes to national exemptions to remove export controls between AUKUS partners.

​These changes are designed to enable defence industry across all three countries to work more seamlessly in a license-free environment, while strengthening collaboration and making it easier to develop advanced scientific, technological and industrial capabilities.

​For the first time, this would:

• ​Remove the requirement for approximately 900 export permits, valued at $5 billion (AUD) per year, which would otherwise be required under current export controls from Australia to the US and UK.
• Remove the requirement for approximately 200 permits, valued at over $129 million (AUD) per year, required for defence exports from the UK to Australia.
• Enable licence-free tradefor over 70 per cent of defence exports subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations from the United States to Australia.
• Enable licence-free tradefor over 80 per cent of defence trade subject to Export Administration Regulations from the United States to Australia.

Stakeholders across industry, higher education and research sectors, as well as those from the UK and the US, are invited to provide feedback on the draft arrangements.

Public consultation is now open on the Defence Trade Legislation Amendment Regulations 2024 (DTL Amendment Regulations), which includes amendments to the Defence Trade Controls Regulation 2013 and Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, and will run until 31 May 2024.

​The UK has also released its open general export licence amendments, alongside the US’ amendments to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for simultaneous consultation.

​Submissions on the DTL Amendment Regulations can be made at: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/defence-trade-controls-amendment-act-2024

​Further information on the DTL Amendment Regulations can be accessed at: https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/defence-trade-controls-amendment-act-2024