Multilateral regimes
Australia’s export control framework is informed by four major multilateral export control regimes for which Australia is a member. This provides best practice guidance, international consistency and coordination of transfer controls for participating states.
- Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) (established 1974) covers nuclear material, equipment and technologies that could contribute to a nuclear weapons program in a non-nuclear weapon state.
- Australia Group (established 1985) covers dual-use chemicals and equipment that could be used in chemical and biological weapons.
- Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) (established 1987) covers unmanned systems (e.g. missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles) capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.
- Wassenaar Arrangement (established 1995) covers conventional weapons, and military and dual-use goods and technologies.
US export controls
The United States exercises internal and extraterritorial controls on the export, import and use of a number of inherently military items, dual- commercial and military items, and nuclear equipment and material. Consider whether these controls are relevant in addition to obligations under Australian export control laws.
Relevant US export controls may include:
- Excluded Technologies List (ETL) – exceptions to the Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) licence-free environment
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Bureau of Industry and Security
- Commerce Control List (CCL)
- Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- United States Department of Energy
- United States Munitions List (USML)
- United States Munitions Import List (USMIL).
Other international agreements
Australia is a signatory to and supporter of a number of other arms control and non-proliferation agreements and initiatives, coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These agreements and initiatives include:
- The Arms Trade Treaty
- Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention)
- Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention)
- United Nations Conventional Arms Register
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 – Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1673 – Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.