Boosting exports for Australia’s services sector

The Morrison Government will continue to focus on boosting Australia’s services exports, releasing its initial response to the first industry-led Services Exports Action Plan.

Developed in close partnership with industry, the Action Plan recommends key measures designed to strengthen the competitiveness of Australian services exporters.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham welcomed the recommendations and said the Government’s response addresses three primary areas of focus; supporting business to go global, removing barriers facing exporters abroad, and simplifying regulation at home.

"Our services industries including education, telecommunications, and professional and financial services continue to enjoy strong growth, with services exports reaching record levels of $97 billion last financial year and growing at over 10 per cent per annum,” Minister Birmingham said.

“There is enormous potential for Australian businesses to build on the current momentum of growth particularly in high-growth industries such as defence and space.

"Our Government continues to provide more export opportunities for our services exporters through improved global market access. Our trade agreements, including with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru which passed through the Parliament this week, are major wins for our services exporters and will open up new doors including to the dynamic Asian region.

“Removing non-tariff barriers remains a focus as do our continuing red-tape initiatives that have delivered $5.8 billion in savings since 2013.

“Advancing services exports will best be achieved through a partnership with business, and we’ll continue to work with industry as they focus on boosting our economy and creating more jobs through commercial wins in the services sector internationally."

The Government’s response, and the industry-led Services Exports Action Plan, can be found at: Services Exports Action Plan.