The Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Agreement Between Australia and The United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Protection of Investments (Investment Agreement) entered into force on 1 October 2025.
CEPA negotiations commenced on 13 December 2023 and concluded on 17 September 2024. The agreements were signed by Minister Farrell on 6 November 2024.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East. Our two-way trade UAE was worth $12.7 billion in 2024-25 and our two-way investment stock was worth $23.7 billion in 2024.
CEPA is our first free trade agreement in the Middle East region, delivering on the Government’s commitment to open new opportunities for trade diversification. CEPA opens a gateway into a dynamic, growing and globally focused partner and strengthens opportunities for business seeking a gateway into a broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait).
Tariffs are eliminated on over 99 percent of Australia’s goods exports to the UAE, once fully implemented [in 2029], including on alumina, frozen red meat and oil seeds.
The deal unlocks new opportunities and provides greater certainty for Australian service providers exporting to the UAE, including in sectors such as education, professional services and financial services.
CEPA, including through our five Investment Cooperation MOUs, promotes quality two-way investment, including in sectors that support Australia’s clean energy transition and Future Made in Australia objectives.
CEPA is Australia’s first ever FTA to include a chapter on First Nations trade and investment, recognising the unique and important contribution that First Nations people and businesses make to international trade and investment. In November 2025, Minister Farrell launched the UAE CEPA First Nations Action Plan to help realise the benefits of this chapter.