Australia’s agricultural export industries continue to grow and diversify. Many products are currently exported as non-prescribed goods under the Export Control Act 2020 (the Act).
To ensure Australia’s export systems remain current and responsive to changing global markets, we are reforming how non-prescribed goods are regulated for export. We are proposing to introduce a new regulatory framework which will prescribe a range of currently non-prescribed goods as General Products. The proposed reforms are expected to commence in early 2027.
Why reform is needed
Australia requires export assurance systems that are efficient, fit for purpose and appropriately cost recovered. The proposed reform will strengthen regulatory oversight and provide producers, preparers and exporters with greater confidence to operate in an evolving global market, while continuing to meet importing country requirements now and into the future.
What is changing
Under a proposed regulatory framework, 7 groups of non-prescribed goods will become prescribed for export. These will be defined in legislation as general products, covering:
- Rendered goods – including protein and bone meals, inedible tallow and spray-dried blood
- Animal food – including pet food, stockfeed and feed additives
- Skins and hides – including raw and tanned hides
- Honey and honeybee products – including honey, beeswax, royal jelly and propolis
- Wool and wool grease – including greasy, scoured and carbonised wool, and wool grease
- Pharmaceutical, technical and blood products – including products of animal origin such as foetal bovine serum, cell cultures, bovine pericardium and antisera
- Food and beverages.
These changes will not include any goods that are already prescribed under the Act. Exports already regulated by other agencies–including wine, therapeutic goods and agricultural and veterinary chemicals and medicines–will not be captured under the general products framework.
An exception applies to organic goods that fall within general products. These will also need to comply with the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 due to overlapping requirements from importing countries.
The general products regulations do not propose to prescribe any exports that are:
- exported to New Zealand
- ship or aircraft stores
- under 10 kg (this limit will not apply for blood, pharmaceutical and technical products)
- imports that are subsequently exported without alteration
- exported to Australian territories or offshore resource industry structures.
For updates on the reform and what it means for you, subscribe to Industry Advice Notices.
How the reform benefits exporters, producers and preparers
Following consultation with stakeholders, including an Industry Reform Committee representing key non-prescribed goods sectors, the reform aims to deliver:
- greater flexibility to respond to changes in importing country requirements
- a clear and consistent approach to government export assurance and decision making
- transparent and appropriate management of export risks
- continued trust in Australia’s exports and regulatory system
- equitable cost-recovery arrangements based on services provided.
Cost recovery arrangements will be determined later in the year in consultation with industry.
Industry Reform Committee
The Industry Reform Committee supports consultation by providing direct industry input throughout the reform process. Membership includes representatives from:
- Animal Medicines Australia
- Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors
- Australian Food & Grocery Council
- Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exporters Association
- Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Australian Renderers Association
- Feed Ingredients and Additives Association Australia
- Pet Food Industry Association of Australia
- Stock Feed Manufacturers’ Council of Australia.
We encourage you to contact your representative body to share your views or learn more. More information will be provided on this page as the reform progresses.
Contact
Export Assurance Reform
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: Export Assurance Reform