There is a community approved to operate under the Australia-US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty (the Treaty). This community comprises government and non-government entities. Australian Community membership will not affect current export authorisations or the ability to operate under the existing export control regime.
Australian Community members list (PDF, 217.17 KB)
Government agencies
Government agencies are automatically part of the Australian Community member, but they apply to obtain an Australian Community Identification number (ACID).
Non-government applicants
Australian Community membership is available to members of Defence industry, and associated educational and research institutions.
Application process
Applying for membership is voluntary, and should be based on the entity’s decision to utilise and access the Treaty benefits, an example which may include the removal of the requirement for individual export licences or approvals.
Applications are assessed against the following criteria:
- the organisation’s export compliance history under Australian and United States export controls
- whether the approval of the organisation would prejudice the security, defence or international relations of Australia
- whether the organisation can demonstrate existing or future involvement in treaty-eligible activities (against the Defense Trade Cooperation Munitions List (DTCML) and approved activity lists)
- the extent of foreign ownership, control or influence over an organisation
- whether the organisation can demonstrate the necessary clearance levels of all staff requiring access to Treaty articles
- whether the organisation possesses, or has access to, a facility capable of protecting Treaty articles.
Security requirements for non-government applicants
Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) membership is a requirement for non-government applicants to become an Australian Community member.
DISP membership processing can take some time. Applicants should be mindful of this when considering their Community membership application timeline.
Defence Export Controls registration
Applicants must obtain a Defence Export Control System Client Registration Number (DCRN). To receive a DCRN, applicants must first create a user account and submit a Defence Client Registration form within the My Australian Defence Export (MADE) portal.
Application form
After obtaining a DCRN, applicants should review the application requirement information listed in each form:
Application form - Government (PDF, 344.28 KB)
Application form - Non-government (PDF, 92.54 KB)
Application acceptance may be delayed if any of the required information is not provided.
Finalisation
Once the assessment is completed and accreditations confirmed, the non-government applications will be forwarded to the United States Government for bilateral determination.
Once approved, the applicant will receive a notice from Defence advising them of their approval. An ACID number will be provided. The ACID must be used for all exports of treaty articles.
Rights of review
Non-government applicants whose application has been refused may request to have the decision reviewed. Requests for review of a decision must be made in writing to the Minister within 30 calendar days of receiving the decision notification. The request must set out the reasons why the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision.