International trade and investment is critical to the Australian economy, creating jobs and prosperity, and opening up opportunities for Australian businesses to expand. Find out more about Australia’s trade and investment agenda.
See the latest trade and investment news from the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, and the Assistant Minister for Trade, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres.
Trade 2040 Taskforce
The Trade 2040 Taskforce (Taskforce) is an important part of the Australian Government’s commitment to bring together government, industry, unions, and community representatives to serve as a key consultation forum to progress the Government’s trade policy agenda. Find out more about the Taskforce membership and how these consultations occur against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment including as Australia transitions to a net zero economy.
WTO
Australia participates in international organisations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the G20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to help build Australia’s economic growth and prosperity. Find out more about Australia’s multilateral trade and investment engagement.
Free trade agreements
A free trade agreement (FTA) is an international treaty between two or more economies that reduces or eliminates certain barriers to trade in goods and services, as well as investment.
FTAs can improve market access across all areas of trade – goods, services and investment – and help to maintain and stimulate the competitiveness of Australian firms. This benefits Australian consumers through access to an increased range of better-value goods and services.
Find out more:
- FTA Portal – a tool to assist businesses make the most of Australia’s FTAs
- Australia’s FTAs – information on agreements in force or under negotiation
- Have your say on FTAs
- How to get free trade agreement tariff cuts
- Non-tariff trade barriers
Foreign investment
Foreign investment has helped build Australia’s economy and will continue to enhance the wellbeing of Australians by supporting economic growth and innovation into the future. Foreign investment supplements domestic savings: without foreign investment, production, employment and income would all be lower.
Find out more about foreign investment in Australia.
Trade and investment data and analysis
DFAT provides a range of data and information resources to help importers, exporters, producers, investors and other Australian businesses to trade and invest with other countries and regions: