The EU's free trade agreement with Australia

In recent years, the EU's relationship with Australia has been successively strengthened: Since 2011, the EU negotiated a framework agreement with Australia, which has been in effect since October 21, 2022. Those parts, which fall under the responsibility of the EU, have even been provisionally applied since October 4, 2018. At that time, negotiations for a trade agreement also began.

On March 24, 2026, the EU and Australia agreed on a joint free trade agreement.

There is still a long way to go before the trade agreement comes into force: The texts are now being legally reviewed and translated into all the languages of the EU member states. After this "legal scrubbing", further steps are expected from 2027, such as the adoption by the Council of the EU, approval by the Parliament, signing, ratification in the EU and Australia, as well as mutual notification before the agreement can take effect.

The agreement provides the EU long-term improved access to a politically stable, resource-rich, and investment-friendly market in the Indo-Pacific. Almost all tariffs on EU exports will be abolished, except for steel. German companies benefit primarily from the export of machinery, motor vehicles, and chemicals. The Austrian Chamber of Commerce also sees a growth potential of up to 48% for dairy products since Australia will gradually eliminate tariffs on dairy products and cheese over a period of three years. Tariffs on wine, chocolate, cookies, and bread will even be abolished immediately with the entry into force of the agreement.

Overall, particular attention in the negotiations was focused on the agricultural sector. The agreement protects EU geographical indications for nearly 400 products, for example "Black Forest Ham". More than 1,600 geographical indications of wine from the EU are also covered.

Conversely, access to the EU market will be facilitated for Australia. However, in the future, quotas will apply to imports from Australia for beef, sheep and goat meat, sugar, rice, and certain dairy products. These quotas are significantly below the original Australian demands. Protective mechanisms also enable rapid action when agricultural enterprises in the EU encounter difficulties. Australian wine, nuts, fruits and vegetables, honey, olive oil, wheat and barley, as well as seafood, will also gain better access to the EU market.

In order to participate in free trade, proofs of origin must be available. Automated processes for requesting and managing proofs help with this.

With the AEB software Origin & Preferences , companies can manage proofs of origin, calculate preferences, and thereby help their customers save on import duties.

As soon as the trade agreement comes into effect or can be provisionally applied, this will be reflected in the AEB solution.