Australia’s agricultural export industries continue to grow and diversify. To ensure Australia’s export assurance system remains fit for purpose, we are reforming the regulatory framework for a range of goods currently exported as non-prescribed goods under the Export Control Act 2020 (the Act).
Subject to the completion of legislative processes, these goods will become known as general products and regulated under a new framework expected to commence in 2027.
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.
About the reform
The Export Assurance Reform will establish a modern, consistent and risk-based regulatory framework for certain goods currently exported as non-prescribed goods, which will be regulated as general products under the new framework.
The reform has been informed by extensive engagement with industry and aims to provide a clear framework for exporters, including requirements for licencing, accredited properties, certification and other export controls where appropriate.
To stay informed about the reform and what it means for you, subscribe to Industry Notices.
Why is reform needed?
Many products that contribute significantly to Australia’s export economy are currently exported as non-prescribed goods, meaning they operate largely outside the regulatory framework established under the Act. While this approach has served industry well in the past, international trading conditions have changed considerably.
Today, importing countries are increasingly seeking stronger government assurances regarding product integrity, traceability, production processes and compliance with market access requirements. The current regulatory system, while ensuring meeting trading partners requirements, relies heavily on operational arrangements rather than a clear legislative framework, which can be burdensome, reduce transparency and make it more difficult to respond quickly to changing trade requirements.
Non-prescribed goods account for approximately $10 billion in annual exports, highlighting the importance of having a modern assurance system that supports ongoing trade and market growth.
What products are affected?
Goods included in the reform
The proposed reform will apply to nine product groups. These will be known as general products:
- Rendered products – including protein and bone meals, inedible tallow and spray-dried blood
- Animal food – including pet food, stockfeed and feed additives (except for minerals)
- Skins and hides – including raw and tanned hides
- Honeybee products – including honey, beeswax, royal jelly and propolis
- Wool and wool grease – including greasy, scoured and carbonised wool, and wool grease
- Feathers – including untreated feathers and feathers that have been cleaned/sterilised but not further processed
- Pharmaceutical products – products of animal origin intended for the manufacture of medical products and veterinary medical products, such as cell cultures and bovine pericardium
- Blood products – animal blood products including plasma, antisera and foetal bovine serum
- Food and beverages – broadly covering food and drinks, including ingredients, but excluding alcohol. This also includes edible meat products that are not prescribed by the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2021, such as edible meat-adjacent products including tallow, collagen and gelatine.
For clarity, prescribed goods that are already regulated under the Export Control Act 2020, including meat, dairy, seafood and eggs, are not in scope of this reform.
Goods excluded by the reform
The reform will not apply to goods already prescribed under the Act (other than organic goods) or products regulated by other export frameworks covering wine, therapeutic goods, and agricultural and veterinary chemicals and medicines.
Some consignments of general products will not be considered prescribed under the Act and will therefore not be subject to the regulatory requirements. These include:
- exports to New Zealand
- certain low volume consignments
- certain consignments of ship and aircraft stores
- goods exported without alteration after importation
- exports to Australian territories and offshore resource industry structures.
Organic goods
When a prescribed general product is classified as an organic good, both the Export Control (General Products) Rules and the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 (Organic Rules) will apply.
The Export Control (General Products) Rules will establish the regulatory requirements for exporting prescribed general products, while the Organic Rules include additional requirements specific to exporting products certified as organic.
What the reform means for industry
The reform is designed to:
- strengthen export assurance arrangements
- support continued access to international markets
- improve consistency in regulatory requirements
- provide a clearer pathway for exporters seeking certification
- ensure regulatory oversight is proportionate to export risks
- support a sustainable and transparent cost recovery framework.
The general products charging model and the Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) for general products are currently being developed.
The department will publish guidance and undertake a Have Your Say consultation to seek stakeholder feedback. Feedback received during the consultation will be carefully considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final charging model.
Consultation update
Between 30 March and 15 May 2026, the department sought feedback on the proposed reforms through the Have Your Say consultation process.
Stakeholders provided valuable feedback on:
- proposed regulatory requirements
- licensing and accredited property arrangements
- exporter responsibilities
- implementation timeframes
- guidance and communication needs
- cost recovery principles.
Find more detail in this Have Your Say thematic review:
Download
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
The department is carefully considering all feedback received. Consultation outcomes are informing the final policy settings, implementation planning, and supporting guidance materials.
Preparing for implementation
The department is progressing implementation activities to support a smooth transition to the new framework.
Over the coming months, stakeholders can expect a range of resources, including:
- process maps explaining licencing and accredited property requirements
- step-by-step guidance for exporters
- webinars and information sessions
- updated website guidance
- implementation updates and industry briefings.
These resources are being developed in response to stakeholder feedback and will be published progressively before January 2027.
Fees and Charges
The Australian Government Charging Framework (Charging Framework), administered by the Department of Finance, promotes consistent, transparent and accountable charging for government activities. It sets out the principles and requirements that government entities must follow when designing, implementing and maintaining charging arrangements, including cost recovery for regulatory activities.
The Charging Framework consists of Australian Government Charging Policy and the Cost Recovery Policy which incorporates overseeing charging of regulatory and non-regulatory government activities.
As part of the new regulatory framework, the department is developing a cost recovery model for general products in accordance with the Charging Framework, Cost Recovery Policy and relevant portfolio legislation. Where appropriate, government entities are required to recover the costs of certain regulatory activities.
Before fees and charges can be introduced, the Australian Government must complete a policy, legal and cost recovery design process. This includes consulting with affected stakeholders, obtaining the necessary government approvals, and ensuring that any fees and charges are appropriately aligned with the services and regulatory activities being provided.
The general products charging model and the Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) are currently being developed. A CRIS is a public document that explains how cost recovery arrangements are implemented and managed, including how fees and charges are calculated, applied and reported.
Once the charging model and CRIS have been developed, the department will publish further guidance and undertake a Have Your Say consultation to seek stakeholder feedback. Feedback received during the consultation will be considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final charging model.
The general products CRIS will outline:
- the legislative basis for cost recovery
- the design of fees and charges
- how fees and charges are applied
- reporting arrangements for fees and charges.
Ongoing industry engagement
The department remains committed to working closely with industry throughout implementation.
Stakeholders will continue to have opportunities to engage through industry briefings, webinars, and targeted consultation activities. The Industry Reform Committee will support ongoing engagement and provide advice on implementation and operational matters.
Industry Reform Committee
The Industry Reform Committee provides a forum for representatives from key industry sectors to share their knowledge, expertise, and perspectives, helping to inform the development and implementation of the reform.
Membership includes representatives from:
- Animal Medicines Australia
- Australian Beverages Council
- 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
- Freight and Trade Alliance
- 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. This page will be updated as implementation progresses.
Contact
Export Assurance Reform
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: Export Assurance Reform