Regulating the export of military and dual-use goods and technology achieves a number of objectives consistent with Australia’s national interest, including:
- maintaining the security and capability edge of Australian defence force personnel around the world;
- preventing regional and international instability and conflict;
- ensuring Australia upholds its international obligations through the responsible export of military and dual-use goods and technology; and
- preventing the irresponsible or illicit trade of conventional weapons or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Do export controls apply to you?
Every person located in Australia, whether an Australian citizen or not, is subject to Australia’s export control laws.
Export controls apply to you when you are undertaking a controlled activity with goods or technology listed as controlled on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
Export controls also apply to you when you are undertaking a controlled activity with any goods or technology that may have a military or weapons of mass destruction end-use.
Defence Export Controls (DEC) within the Department of Defence is Australia’s military and dual-use goods and technology export regulator.
DEC supports government, industry and academic sector stakeholders, and private individuals, to ensure the responsible movement of military and dual-use goods and technology to any place or person outside of Australia. This key objective is achieved in a number of ways.
- DEC assesses applications to export, supply, publish or broker military and dual-use goods and technology listed on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
- DEC issues authorisations (permits or licences) to export, supply, publish or broker military and dual-use goods and technology when they are determined as not prejudicial to Australia’s defence, security or international relationships.
- DEC proactively prohibits the export, supply or provision of goods, technologies or services that may be used in, or assist, a WMD program.
- DEC recommends to the Minister for Defence the prohibition of export or supply of goods or technology where the end-use of those goods is military in nature and prejudicial to Australia’s security, defence or international relationships.
- DEC conducts compliance activities to ensure permit and licence holders comply with conditions and requirements.
- DEC conducts engagement activities in order to raise awareness about export control law and its application.