Trade agreements

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) improves Australia's access to our largest trading partner. Australia is one of only a handful of developed countries to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, giving our businesses a competitive advantage.

Other FTAs between and among RCEP participating parties will co-exist. Businesses will be able to decide which FTA they will use, based on a range of factors such as the tariffs and associated rules of origin applied.

On 15 November 2020, Ministers from 15 countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. News and updated information is posted on this page.

DFAT consults interested people and organisations with respect to free trade agreements (FTAs), including encouraging written submissions during FTA negotiations and in relation to work programs or reviews under existing agreements.

The ninth round of Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations took place in New Delhi on 21-23 September 2015. Both sides agreed on the importance of making progress towards a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.

The chapter summaries below must be read in conjunction with the text of the CPTPP Agreement.

The CPTPP is a separate treaty that incorporates, by reference, the provisions of the original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) signed by Ministers on 4 February 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

The eighth round of Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations took place in New Delhi on 1-3 July 2015. At the round, comprehensive discussions were held across all areas of the negotiations with both sides aiming to conclude a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement by the end of 2015.

The seventh round of Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations took place in Canberra on 15-17 April 2015. At the round, both sides highlighted the importance of CECA and the high priority placed by both governments on concluding negotiations on a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement by the end of 2015.