Australian defence industry reaping the benefits of AUKUS trade reforms
10 FEBRUARY 2025
Australian businesses are already seeing the benefits of the export licence-free environment the Albanese Government established with the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) on 1 September 2024.
In less than six months, these generational reforms have provided over 210 companies across Australia with unprecedented access to the world’s largest defence markets and have already facilitated over $25 million in licence-free exports to the UK and the US.
Under these reforms, local businesses no longer need a licence to export most military and dual-use goods, technologies and services to the UK and the US, unlocking billions of dollars of investment in Australia and cutting red tape for Australian industry and our AUKUS partners.
This early progress demonstrates the significant benefits these reforms offer local businesses as well as the unprecedented trade, innovation and collaboration opportunities with our AUKUS partners.
The trilateral licence-free environment established under the Albanese Government will continue to fast-track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force and support unprecedented levels of advanced scientific, technological and industrial cooperation with our AUKUS partners.
To implement these reforms, the Albanese Government committed $28 million in the 2024‑25 Budget, including to support industry engagement.
Source: Defence Press Release