We are developing a new regulatory framework for the export of general products. Under the proposed framework, every person or entity responsible for exporting prescribed general products from Australia will need a valid general products export licence before exporting from the relevant commencement date.
An export licence will authorise the licence holder to export prescribed general products and identify the person or entity responsible for the goods at the time of export. This will establish a clear point of accountability and help ensure exporters meet their responsibilities under the proposed framework.
Who will need an export licence?
All exporters of prescribed general products will need a valid general products export licence before exporting. Prescribed general products are goods within the nine product groups listed below that will be prescribed by the legislation. The licence must be held by the person or legal entity responsible for the goods at the time of export.
A manufacturer, processor, packer, warehouse or other supplier will not need an export licence if it only prepares goods for another business to export. However, the property may need separate accredited property approval.
Products covered by the framework
The framework will cover nine general product groups:
- 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 or sterilised but not further processed
- Pharmaceutical products – products of animal origin intended for the manufacture of medical products or veterinary medical products, such as bovine pericardium
- Animal 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 tallow, collagen and gelatine.
Not all goods currently treated as non-prescribed goods will become prescribed general products. Exporters will need to confirm whether their goods are prescribed general products.
What will a licence cover?
A general products export licence will cover all prescribed general products exported by the licence holder. Separate licences will not be required for different general product groups or destination countries.
For example, a licensed exporter of rendered products will not need a second general products licence if they later begin exporting prescribed animal blood products or food and beverages. The exporter must still meet all requirements applying to the new goods and markets.
A general products export licence will be separate from licences issued under other commodity-specific frameworks. An existing meat, livestock or other export licence will not authorise the export of prescribed general products.
How the licence works with other regulatory controls
| Regulatory control | What it does | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Export licence | Authorises the responsible person or entity to export prescribed general products and establishes exporter accountability. | Required for all exporters of prescribed general products. |
| Accredited property | Provides assurance for specified export operations at a property, covering particular products and export markets. | Required only where property-level government oversight is needed to meet importing country requirements. |
| Government certificate | Provides official assurance for a particular consignment, particular consignment or other certification request. | Required by the importing country or requested for market access purposes. |
Holding an export licence will not remove the requirement to use an accredited property or obtain a government certificate where an importing country requires those controls to apply. Similarly, operating an accredited property will not remove the requirement for the exporter responsible to hold an export licence.
Proposed commencement dates
Applications are proposed to open through TradeClear from 1 July 2027. Licensing requirements will then be introduced in phases. Exporters of prescribed general products must hold a general products export licence from the applicable commencement date in the table below, or before first exporting those goods after that date.
| Tranche | Proposed commencement | Product groups |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 November 2027 | Rendered products, animal food, skins and hides. |
| 2 | 1 April 2028 | Honeybee products, wool and wool grease, feathers, pharmaceutical products and animal blood products. |
| 3 | 1 April 2029 | Food and beverages. |
These dates are indicative and may change. Exporters should apply early enough for the department to assess the application before the licence is required. The proposed assessment period is up to 120 calendar days.
How to apply
Step 1: Set up access to TradeClear
Most applicants will apply through the department’s TradeClear online portal. The person or entity must be linked to the relevant account, and anyone acting for the person or entity must have appropriate authority. A manual application pathway will be available where an applicant cannot access TradeClear.
Step 2: Complete the application
Applicants are expected to provide:
- entity details, including business name, ABN where applicable, address and contact information
- details of people in management or control, including their role and identifying information
- information about overdue fees and charges and any repayment arrangements
- responses to fit and proper person questions
- relevant declarations, including consent and acknowledgement that providing false or misleading information may be an offence.
The applicant and licence holder will generally be the legal entity or individual responsible for conducting the export business, not the person who completes the application on its behalf.
Step 3: Pay the application fee
We propose a flat application fee because the assessment effort is expected to be broadly consistent across applicants. The fee would be payable at the time of application submission and would recover the cost of assessing the application regardless of whether a licence is granted.
Step 4: Department assessment and decision
The department will assess whether the applicant meets the relevant legislative requirements. This is expected to include fit and proper person information, overdue fees or charges, application declarations and other relevant information. The department may request further information to assist with our assessment.
If granted, the applicant will be notified of the grant, licence number, commencement date, expiry date and status, which will also be recorded in the relevant systems.
Licence period, renewal and changes
A general products export licence is proposed to remain in force for five years. The licence holder will need to apply to renew it within the timeframe set out in the legislation. The five-year period is intended to reduce administrative burden for licence holders.
Exporters will not need to vary the licence to add products or destination markets. A variation may still be needed where relevant licence details or conditions need to change, but the holder of a licence cannot be changed by variation. Licence holders should promptly notify the department of relevant changes, including changes to entity details or people in management or control.
The department may grant, renew, vary, suspend or revoke a licence in accordance with the legislation. A licence holder may also request suspension or revocation.
Using the licence when exporting
The licence number is planned to link the licensed exporter to export declarations. It is expected to be included in the export declaration for general products in the Australian Border Force Integrated Cargo System. Exporters can also use the Single Electronic Window in NEXDOC to complete export declarations alongside applications for government certificates.
Before exporting, the licence holder must ensure that:
- the goods are eligible for export
- applicable importing country requirements are met
- any required property accreditation is in place
- any necessary government certification has been obtained.
Ongoing responsibilities
Licence holders will be responsible for:
- continuing to meet licence conditions and applicable legislative requirements
- ensuring prescribed general products are not exported unless the licence is valid
- meeting applicable importing country, accredited property and government certification requirements
- maintaining accurate records and providing information when requested
- keeping business and contact details current and notifying the department of relevant changes
- addressing non-compliance issues promptly
- applying to renew the licence within the timeframe set out in the legislation.
Non-compliance and regulatory action
The department will take a proportionate and escalating approach to non-compliance that considers mitigating and aggravating factors. Depending on the circumstances, the department may consider education or guidance, additional conditions, increased monitoring, refusal or revocation of a government certificate, variation, suspension or revocation of an export licence, and civil or criminal enforcement action for serious breaches.
A licence may be affected by serious or repeated non-compliance, overdue fees or charges, false or misleading information, failure to meet licence conditions or failure to remain a fit and proper person. The response will depend on the facts of the case and the nature of the non-compliance.
Practical steps for exporters
- Confirm whether your goods will become prescribed general products and identify the proposed commencement date that applies.
- Identify the legal entity or individual responsible for the goods at export. Ensure staff or representatives acting on the individual or entity’s behalf have appropriate authority.
- Prepare accurate information about the entity, people in management or control, overdue fees and charges, and fit and proper person matters. Ensure the responsible individual or entity has access to TradeClear.
- Apply early and respond promptly if the department requests further information. The proposed assessment period is up to 120 calendar days.
- Ensure you review and understand how the licence number will be linked to export declarations and government certificates applications. Confirm whether accredited property approval or government certificate requirements also apply.
- Keep licence, business and contact details current and notify the department of relevant changes. The holder of a licence cannot be changed by variation. Apply to renew the licence within the timeframe set out in the legislation.
Transitional arrangements and detailed processes for renewal, review of decisions, record retention and support services remain subject to consultation and final implementation decisions. The department will provide further guidance and practical support as arrangements are finalised.