This bill became law on Aug 2nd, 2025.
Immigration, border & security
The bill amends the Customs Act 1901The main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. so goods imported from the United Arab Emirates can qualify for preferential customs dutyA lower customs duty rate available to goods that meet the requirements of a trade agreement. under the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The bill was introduced to implement the customs-law side of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The explanatory memorandum says the agreement needed new rules of originRules used to decide whether goods are treated as coming from a particular country for tariff purposes., verification powers and related Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. changes before eligible UAE goods could receive preferential tariff treatmentA lower customs duty rate available to goods that meet the requirements of a trade agreement. in Australia and before Australian export claims could be checked for UAE tariff preferences.
The bill sits inside Australia's move to deepen trade and investment links with the United Arab Emirates after earlier signals from both governments and after Australia's free-trade talks with the European Union stalled. The collected sources describe the UAE as Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East, with the agreement framed as a way to diversify markets, reduce tariffs for Australian exporters and attract investment, including in critical minerals and clean-energy-linked industries.
The collected bill debate did not record substantive opposition to the Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. amendments. Coalition speakers supported passage and accepted the benefits of lower trade barriers, while using the debate to criticise separate government policies such as the domestic live sheep export phase-out and industry subsidies.
Julian Hill MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 02 Aug 2025
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
9 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The bill amends the Customs Act 1901The main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. so goods imported from the United Arab Emirates can qualify for preferential customs dutyA lower customs duty rate available to goods that meet the requirements of a trade agreement. under the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The bill creates rules for deciding when imported goods count as "UAE originating goodsGoods that meet the bill's Australia-UAE agreement rules and can therefore qualify for preferential customs duty when imported into Australia.", including rules for goods wholly obtained in the UAE, goods made from originating materials, and goods made using some non-originating materialsInputs used to make goods that do not themselves count as originating from Australia or the UAE under the agreement rules..
Importers will generally need a certificate of originA document used to show that goods meet the origin rules for a trade agreement., unless Australia waives that requirement, before imported UAE goods can receive the preferential customs treatment.
The bill also lets regulations set record-keeping obligations for Australian exporters and producers who claim their goods qualify for preferential tariff treatmentA lower customs duty rate available to goods that meet the requirements of a trade agreement. in the UAE.
Customs officers will be able to require relevant exporters or producers to provide records or answer questions, and may disclose that information to UAE customs officials to verify preferential tariff claims.
The government said the agreement is Australia's first free trade agreement with a Middle Eastern country and is expected to eliminate tariffs on more than 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UAE by value once fully implemented.
The Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. changes were designed to work with a separate Customs Tariff Amendment bill that sets the preferential rates of customs duty for eligible UAE-originating goodsGoods that meet the bill's Australia-UAE agreement rules and can therefore qualify for preferential customs duty when imported into Australia..
Most of the bill starts only when both Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. has occurred and the Australia-UAE agreement has entered into force for Australia; if the agreement does not enter into force, Schedule 1 does not commence.
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Customs Act 1901 to introduce new rules of origin to determine if goods imported from the United Arab Emirates into Australia are eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) explanatory memorandum
This Division defines UAE originating goods. Preferential rates of customs duty under the Customs Tariff Act 1995 apply to UAE originating goods that are imported into Australia.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) introduced bill text
Goods are UAE originating goods if ... the importer of the goods has, at the time the goods are imported, a certificate of origin, or a copy of one, for the goods; or Australia has waived the requirement for a certificate of origin for the goods.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) introduced bill text
The regulations may prescribe record keeping obligations that apply in relation to goods that are exported to the territory of the United Arab Emirates and are claimed to be Australian originating goods for the purpose of obtaining a preferential tariff in the territory of the United Arab Emirates.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) introduced bill text
An authorised officer may require a person ... to produce ... records ... [and] may, for the purpose of verifying a claim for a preferential tariff in the territory of the United Arab Emirates, disclose any records so produced to a UAE customs official.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) introduced bill text
The Agreement is Australia’s first free trade agreement with a nation of the Middle East ... Australian exporters will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UAE by value once fully implemented.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) explanatory memorandum
Complementary amendments will also be made to the Customs Tariff Act 1995 ... to set out the preferential tariff treatment applicable to goods that are determined to be eligible goods in accordance with the Agreement, known as originating goods.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) explanatory memorandum
Schedule 1: The later of ... the day this Act receives the Royal Assent; and ... the day the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates ... enters into force for Australia. However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event ... does not occur.Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) introduced bill text
Context
The bill sits inside Australia's move to deepen trade and investment links with the United Arab Emirates after earlier signals from both governments and after Australia's free-trade talks with the European Union stalled. The collected sources describe the UAE as Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East, with the agreement framed as a way to diversify markets, reduce tariffs for Australian exporters and attract investment, including in critical minerals and clean-energy-linked industries.
Australia and UAE signal trade-agreement talks
The explanatory memorandum says Australia and the UAE announced their intention to pursue the agreement in a joint ministerial statement on 17 March 2022.
Explanatory memorandum ↗UAE seeks closer economic agreement with Australia
The Australian Financial Review reported that the UAE wanted a trade and investment agreement with Australia and saw scope to remove business barriers and unlock investment, including in clean energy technology.
Australian Financial Review ↗Formal negotiations begin after EU talks stall
The explanatory memorandum records the official start of negotiations on 13 December 2023; collected media context described the UAE talks as part of a shift in trade focus after Australia shelved plans for a European Union free trade agreement.
Explanatory memorandum and Australian Financial Review ↗Negotiations conclude on first Middle East trade deal
The government announced conclusion of negotiations. Public reporting described the agreement as Australia's first free trade deal with a Middle Eastern country and said it would remove tariffs on 99 per cent of Australian goods exported to the UAE.
Explanatory memorandum and Australian Financial Review ↗Australia and UAE sign the agreement
The explanatory memorandum says Australia and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Canberra, alongside investment-related side arrangements.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Parliament passes the implementing Customs bill
The bill passed both houses on 31 July 2025, completing the Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. amendments needed to support the agreement's rules of originRules used to decide whether goods are treated as coming from a particular country for tariff purposes. and verification arrangements.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The collected bill debate did not record substantive opposition to the Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. amendments. Coalition speakers supported passage and accepted the benefits of lower trade barriers, while using the debate to criticise separate government policies such as the domestic live sheep export phase-out and industry subsidies.
No proposed amendments, recorded divisions or direct objections to the bill's customs-origin rulesRules used to decide whether goods are treated as coming from a particular country for tariff purposes. were collected for this bill.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Julian Hill introduced the bill as the Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. part of implementing the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Read in Hansard ↗Kevin Hogan said the coalition supported the bill and the companion tariff bill, describing free trade as a bipartisan source of economic growth.
Read in Hansard ↗Jenny McAllister moved the second reading in the Senate and incorporated speeches explaining that the bill would implement the Customs ActThe main Commonwealth law governing customs rules, including imported goods and customs enforcement powers. rules needed for UAE-originating goodsGoods that meet the bill's Australia-UAE agreement rules and can therefore qualify for preferential customs duty when imported into Australia. to receive preferential customs treatment.
Read in Hansard ↗Andrew Bragg supported passing the bills as a way to liberalise trade and diversify markets.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
3 speakers · 3 support
“The amendments contained in this Bill will establish, in the Customs Act, the rules of origin and document retention requirements called for by the Agreement.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The amendments contained in this bill will establish, in the Customs Act, the rules-of-origin and document-retention requirements called for by the agreement.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The government is committed to seeking the entry into force of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as soon as possible to enable the realisation of its many benefits.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“Again, as I said, I'm happy to be bipartisan and commend the government here. I would make a couple of points. Part of this that would have happened if not for government policy would be live sheep exports.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We must, as these bills propose to do, find ways to liberalise and open up new markets.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Of course, there are some benefits to this agreement. The agreement is Australia's first free trade agreement with a nation of the Middle East.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
