Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA), signed virtually on 17 December 2021, is a gold standard trade agreement. The A-UKFTA includes a number of outcomes of importance to services exporters, particularly in relation to professional services. This includes a framework for the recognition of professional qualifications between Australia and the UK and increased collaboration between UK and Australian accreditation and regulatory bodies; guarantees that Australian lawyers can advise clients and provide arbitration, mediation and conciliation services in the UK using their original qualifications and title; as well as provisions to establish and drive collaboration between regulators to address remaining barriers to practicing as a local lawyer.

The agreement also contains reciprocal commitments on temporary entry of skilled personnel that will support the bilateral advancement of professional skills, commercial interests and modern value chains. Australians entering the UK as Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals will have the same access as European Union nationals. This will provide new opportunities for our service suppliers to work in the UK on contracts for up to a year. Further information can be found at: Benefits for Service Professionals | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)