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The Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) sets out ambitious, modern commitments that will underpin growth in trade between Australia and the EU, and assist Australians to engage with, and benefit from, the digital economy.
Opportunities for businesses and industry
The A-EU FTA sets out strong rules to promote the cross-border flow of data and prohibit unjustified data localisation, while safeguarding high standards of data protection for e-commerce users.
Australia and the EU have also committed not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions.
The A-EU FTA supports business investment and innovation by preventing the forced transfer of source code.
The A-EU FTA will expand the availability and acceptance of paperless trade technologies, electronic contracts, electronic signatures and electronic authentication by limiting requirements for paper-based documents.
A safer online environment for consumers
The A-EU FTA will help create a trusted, safer online environment, through provisions relating to the protection of personal information, consumer protection, unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and cybersecurity.
Open data and better digital governance
As part of the A-EU FTA, Australia and the EU have made commitments in relation to open internet access, open government data and cooperation on digital government.