The Australia-US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty (the Treaty) between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America was signed in 2007. The Treaty improves the efficiency of trade between Australia and the United States (US) by allowing some transfers within an Approved Community without an export licence.
The Approved Community comprises an Australian Community and a US Community, with each community managed by their respective Government. The Treaty came into force on 16 May 2013 and the implementing legislation, the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, commenced on 6 June 2013. The Defence Trade Control Regulations 2013 is the legislative instrument made under the Act.
The Treaty provides the following benefits:
- reduced delivery time for new defence projects
- improved sustainment, by permitting transfers within the Approved Community without further Australian or US approvals
- a more efficient way for US companies to share technical data with the Australian Community without requiring licences
- consistent compliance requirements across the Australian Community
- avoidance of delays associated with the export licensing process.