Australia's existing arrangements continue to support exporters in meeting export and importing-country requirements and have contributed to the success of Australia's non-prescribed goods export sector. Building on these arrangements, the reform will provide a more contemporary, consistent and scalable framework to support exporters and facilitate market access.
The reform will:
- support Australia's reputation as a trusted trading partner
- strengthen export assurance arrangements where appropriate
- improve regulatory consistency and transparency
- support exporters in responding to evolving international requirements
- provide a contemporary framework for future export growth
- help maintain confidence in Australian exports.
Check whether your goods are in scope
The reform will apply to certain products currently regulated as non-prescribed goods, which will be referred to as general products under the new framework:
- 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 preserved 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 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 products when not prescribed by other export control rules, such as edible tallow, duck eggs, or fish oil capsules.
For clarity, prescribed goods already prescribed under the Export Control Act 2020 (the Act), 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
- products regulated by other export frameworks, including wine, therapeutic goods, and agricultural and veterinary chemicals and medicines
- 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
Where a prescribed general product is also classified as organic, 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 set the requirements for exporting prescribed general products, while the Organic Rules contain additional requirements for products certified as organic.
Why reform is needed
Australia's current arrangements for non-prescribed goods continue to support a significant and successful export sector.
As international trade requirements evolve, governments and overseas markets increasingly seek additional assurance about matters such as product integrity, traceability, production systems and compliance with market access requirements.
The Export Assurance Reform will help ensure Australia's export assurance framework remains well positioned to respond to changing international requirements and future trade opportunities.
The reform will help:
- support existing market access arrangements
- position Australia to respond to future market requirements
- improve consistency across export sectors
- enhance transparency for exporters and trading partners
- provide a strong platform for future export growth
- maintain confidence in Australian exports.
What is changing
The reform introduces a more contemporary export assurance framework for non-prescribed goods.
The framework builds on existing export assurance arrangements and introduces a more consistent, scalable and transparent approach supporting market access and responding to importing-country requirements.
Businesses will interact with regulatory controls appropriate to their products, export activities and overseas market requirements. Not every requirement will apply to every business or export pathway.
The framework includes:
- export licences, providing a regulatory entry point for exporters
- accredited properties, supporting assurance where export operations and importing-country requirements require additional oversight
- government certification, supporting exports where official government assurances are required by importing countries
- approved arrangements, enabling recognised industry systems and quality assurance arrangements to contribute to export assurance outcomes where appropriate
- assurance and compliance activities, supporting compliance with export requirements.
Developed with industry
Since 2023, the department has worked closely with exporters, producers, manufacturers, industry associations and the Industry Reform Committee to help shape future arrangements for non-prescribed goods exports.
Engagement activities have included:
- industry workshops
- webinars
- stakeholder consultations
- targeted meetings
- Have Your Say consultation processes.
Industry feedback has informed regulatory design, implementation planning, communication products, guidance materials and stakeholder engagement approaches.
The department will continue working with stakeholders throughout implementation.
The Have Your Say thematic review provides an overview of the key themes and feedback received during stakeholder consultation.
Implementation
Implementation will occur progressively from mid-2027.
A phased implementation approach will provide businesses with time to:
- understand requirements
- prepare systems and processes
- access guidance materials
- transition to new arrangements
- participate in implementation support activities.
As implementation progresses, the department will release information about implementation milestones, transition arrangements, application processes, digital services, industry guidance, fees and charges, and other support materials.
Preparing your business
To prepare for implementation, businesses can:
- determine whether their products are in scope
- review importing-country requirements relevant to their export markets
- identify export entities and operational sites involved in export activities
- review record-keeping and traceability arrangements
- ensure business contact details remain current.
Further readiness information will be published as implementation progresses.
Stay informed
Stay up to date with Export Assurance Reform by subscribing to the department’s non-prescribed goods (NPG) export reform update newsletter and Industry Advice Notices.
1. Subscribe to the NPG export reform update newsletter
The department has launched the NPG export reform update newsletter to provide practical information about the reform and help industry prepare for upcoming changes.
Subscribers will receive updates on:
- implementation planning and milestones
- guidance materials
- webinars and workshops
- consultation opportunities
- transition arrangements
- digital services
- fees and charges
- legislative and regulatory updates.
2. Subscribe to Industry Advice Notices
Industry Advice Notices provide important updates and information for exporters and industry, including the latest information about Export Assurance Reform as it progresses.
Contact
Export Assurance Reform
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601
Email: NPGReform@aff.gov.au