Pan Asian e-Commerce Alliance

PAA – Australia Country Data

Australia is a stable, culturally diverse and democratic society with a population of more than 21 million. Australia is the only nation to govern an entire continent. It is the earth’s biggest island and the sixth-largest country in the world in land area.

Australia’s contemporary history is relatively short, with the first European settlement established by Great Britain on 26 January 1788 and nationhood achieved on 1 January 1901.

Australia has the 14th biggest overall economy in the world and the 9th biggest industrialised economy (2007). Australia is the 15th richest nation in per capita terms, and is the 6th oldest continuously functioning democracy in the world.

Australia has low barriers to trade and investment. Since a wave of micro-economic reform in the early 1990s, competition policy has been a key ingredient of the economy’s continuing success, including in key areas such as transport, telecommunications, electricity and gas.

According to the World Bank, a new business can be established in Australia within two days compared with an OECD average of 20 days.

Trade Statistics and Macro-economic information

GDP: A$999.8 billion (2007)
Population: 21.0 million (2007)

Exports: A$217 Billion (2007)
Major Exports: coal, wool, zinc, iron ore, beef, barley, raw sugar, education services, tourism, aluminium

Imports: A$237 billion (2007)
Major imports: motor vehicles, computers, fuels, electrical goods

Major Trading Partners: China, Japan, USA, New Zealand, Singapore, Germany
Official Currency: Australian dollar
See Australian Bureau of Statistics for more details.

Tax and Customs Clearance Information

• Australia operates an income tax system for individuals and for companies.  A GST, levied at 10 per cent applies to most goods.  See Australian Taxation Office for further details.

  Import duties are levied on a range of goods.  Over the past 15 years Australia has reduced its import tariffs and quotas.  Import Duties are levied under the Customs Tariff Act 1995.  See Australian Customs for further details.

Import/Export Regulatory Requirements

• Imports
  There is no requirement for companies or individuals to hold an import licence. However, depending on the nature of the commodity, and regardless of value, owners may need to obtain permits to facilitate clearance of goods.

  All cargo must be reported electronically to Customs prior to its arrival in Australia.  This includes vessel arrival.  Import reporting is required at two levels.  Cargo reporting from carriers, import declarations from cargo owners or their agents.

  All electronic reports to Customs must be digitally signed using an approved digital certificate.  The vessel's manifest and sub-manifest must be reported before the import declaration can be made under the cascade reporting environment. 

  Sea cargo must be reported 48 hours prior to arrival for sea; special arrangement for short haul trades; both Carrier and Forwarders have to report.

  Air cargo must be reported 2 hours prior to arrival at first port; both carrier and forwarders have to report.

  Australia adopts a strict quarantine regime.  Importers are encouraged to seek advice from their customs broker or freight forwarder or the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

  Exports
  Export of goods is controlled to prohibit or conditionally release certain goods to meet international obligations and to record trade.  Goods can be exported or loaded onto a ship or aircraft only after Customs has given approval to export via a "cleared" Export Declaration Number (EDN). Generally any goods (with certain exceptions) valued at A$2000 or more require an EDN.  For certain goods, an export permit will be required from various government agencies.

  All electronic reports to Customs must be digitally signed using an approved digital certificate.
  All export consignments must have an Export Declaration Number; exporter or agent lodges EDN Request prior to goods arrival at the terminal.

  See Australian Customs for further information.

Related Government Agencies

• Australian Customs Service
• Austrade
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Trade and Logistics Activities

• Austrade

Chambers and Associations

• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Australian Federation of International Forwarders
• Australian Institute of Export
• Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia 
• Shipping Australia Limited 

Other Government Agencies

• Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service