The Australian Government committed $23.8 million in the 2023-24 Budget to continue to progress the Simplified Trade System reforms.   

This includes $21.8 million for the Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce (the Taskforce), the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Taxation Office, to simplify crossborder trade for Australian businesses, and $2.1 million for Austrade’s Trade Information Service to continue helping Australian businesses navigate complex regulatory and international market requirements. 

The Simplified Trade System is modernising cross-border trade to improve the experience for Australian businesses, while strengthening border, biosecurity and community protections. 

This investment will allow the STS Taskforce to continue leading reform efforts at a whole-of-government level while engaging closely with businesses to develop and prioritise regulatory, processes, data and digital reforms and provide consolidated advice to government.  

STS reforms keep business at the centre - upcoming opportunities to help shape STS reforms 

Consultation 

The 2023-24 Budget includes a commitment to consult on principles, processes and governance requirements for whole-of-government approach to cross-border trade data sharing. This will be a foundational part of the STS reforms and will set out the principles to establish, facilitate and maintain whole-of-government trade data sharing, streamlining government processes and reducing cost and complexity for business. 

Engagement  

The Taskforce is hosting a Summit in Melbourne on 26 June 2023, where delegates will hear from Senator the Hon Don Farrell - Minister for Trade and Tourism, industry leaders, senior government officials, academics and international guests on opportunities and challenges to reform cross-border trade. Topics for discussion will span the economic outlook, productivity, regulatory reform, digitalisation, paperless trade, international best practice and much more!  

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