Australian Trusted Trader: Ministerial Launch


The CBFCA attended the Ministerial Launch, followed by industry workshops. Refer to the following Media Release has been provided by the Australian Border Force and is forwarded for your attention.

"Ministerial Launch

On 19 August 2016, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Peter Dutton MP hosted an event to celebrate the successful opening of the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) programme.

Minister Dutton acknowledged the first businesses to become accredited Trusted Traders: Teys Australia Beenleigh Pty Ltd, Target Australia Pty. Ltd., Techwool Trading Pty. Ltd. and Pacific Brands Holdings Pty Ltd. We are also pleased to announce that IBM Australia Ltd has joined this list of Australia’s first Trusted Traders.  Congratulations to these businesses on this significant achievement.  The valuable contribution of ATT Pilot Partners and Industry Advisory Group (IAG) members in the design and development of ATT was also recognised during the proceedings.

Minister Dutton; the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Keith Pitt MP; and the Commissioner for the Australian Border Force, Mr Roman Quaedvlieg APM, all emphasised the programme's significance in the Government's trade reform agenda and the change in the way we do business. 

ATT Workshops

Following the Ministerial event ATT Pilot Partners and IAG members attended a series of workshops focused on the future of ATT.  The sessions covered progress beyond the launch, Mutual Recognition Arrangements, opportunities for trade in services, and whole of Government approaches. Thank you to those who participated for sharing your ideas and experiences that help influence the direction of the programme. This partnership has helped make ATT a world leader for global Authorised Economic Operator programmes. 

Mutual Recognition Arrangements

The Department signed its first Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with New Zealand Customs Service at the World Customs Organization’s Council sessions in Brussels on
15 July 2016.  At the Council sessions, the Department also signed Statements of Intent with the Canada Border Service Agency, Hong Kong Customs and Excise and Singapore Customs, and reaffirmed commitment with China towards MRA. MRAs are a significant benefit, allowing the mutual recognition of our respective supply chain security programmes and benefits.

Programme Update

More than 300 businesses have submitted expressions of interest (EOI) to join the programme. Interested businesses are encouraged to apply via our website today to secure their place in the queue. If you have any questions about the application process, please email ATT Service Desk.

We are also running a series of workshops to assist a number of businesses that have submitted an EOI in how to become ATT ready. The workshops will provide guidance on how to complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and ensure those businesses are ready for the accreditation process."


The CBFCA and other key industry associations / stakeholders  participated in facilitated ATT Workshops and provided ideas on the future of ATT and what industry want ATT and trade facilitation more broadly, to look like in 2020 and beyond.

At the Beyond the Launch workshop the CBFCA stated that that program’s trade facilitation benefits are for traders (importers and exporters) and while the program is opened to service providers the trade facilitation benefits are not clearly identified to provide an incentive for service providers to join the program. As the ABF focus is to grow the ATT program the CBFCA recommends expanding the program to provide clear benefits for service providers who play an important role in the trade facilitation process on behalf of importers and exporters.

The other workshop attended by the CBFCA was Whole of Government where we highlighted the need for a Single Window to Government for data exchange. From a service providers perspective we prefer to enter the data once in a single portal that enables regulatory agencies such as ABF, DAWR, ATO and OTS to access the data for assessment and cargo clearance. At present there is duplication of data entry to meet the requirements of all the regulatory agencies. A single portal for data exchange will improve the efficiency for service providers and improve the data integrity and security for regulatory agencies as the aim of the ATT program is to standardise legitimate trade facilitation by securing international supply chains.

As part of the upcoming CBFCA National Conference, 6-8 October 2016 at the Crown Promenade, Melbourne, we will have two presentations designed to provide further update and clarity on ATT.
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Ms. Wendy Stanton, Customs Manager at IKEA will provide an overview from a cargo owner's perspective as to their experience as an accredited Trusted Trader.

Ms. Meg Reid, Director ATT Operations, DIBP will provide an update on the implementation and will be available to take your questions on the scheme.

This event provides the perfect platform for you and your staff to be kept up to date with the pertinent issues of the day and be able to address any concerns you may have directly with the regulators and other industry service providers. For more information or to register now click HERE.