Free trade agreements of Australia


Australia is party to 18 free trade agreements worldwide covering 30 economies.

History

Post-War Era (1940s-1960s)

Australia was a founding member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947, which aimed to promote international trade by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The focus during this period was primarily on multilateral trade negotiations rather than bilateral agreements.

Bilateral Agreements (1980s-1990s)

The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA), signed in 1983, marked a significant step towards bilateral trade agreements, creating a single economic market between the two nations. The 1990s saw Australia engaging in further bilateral agreements, including those with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia-Pacific Focus (2000s)

The Australia-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ASFTA) was signed in 2003, followed by agreements with Thailand and the United States in 2005. These agreements aimed to strengthen economic ties and promote trade in goods and services.

Regional Agreements (2010s)

The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), effective in 2010, expanded trade relations with Southeast Asian countries. In 2018, Australia became a signatory to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes several key economies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Free trade agreements in force

Australia has bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with the following blocs and countries:

Bilateral agreements

Multilateral agreements

Free trade agreements under negotiation