The Australian Trade Commission Act 1985, No. 186 of 1985 was assented to on 16 December 1985. The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) commenced operation on 6 January 1986 as a body corporate, having a common seal and able to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property. Austrade replaced and incorporated the:

 . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC)
 
 . Australian Overseas Projects Corporation (AOPC)
 
 . Export Development Grants Board (EDGB)
 
 . Trade Commissioner Service
It also assumed the task of administering the general function of the Regional Office of the Department of Trade [II] (CA 3500), including its marketing and trade promotion activities.

Austrade was created as a statutory authority in an attempt to revitalise Australia's trade efforts. It was perceived that such an authority would have more flexibility and independence than a Public Service department and would thus be better able to respond quickly to changes in the international market place. 

The Minister for Trade, Mr. Dawkins stated that "... the Commission will be expected to operate in as commercial a fashion as possible. It will be able to deploy its resources in a flexible and responsive way"  (The Canberra Times, 24 Apr 1985). The Minister saw the Commission acting as a "one stop trade shop" providing exporters with the full range of appropriate advice and packages of assistance, drawing on all of the government's resources (Media Release Minister for Trade 23 April 1985).


FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
The main function of the Commission is to facilitate and encourage trade between Australian and foreign countries by:
 . representing the trading and commercial interests of
   Australia in foreign countries;
 
 . assisting, directly or indirectly, Australian organisations in
   trade negotiations;
 
 . promoting, or participating in or coordinating projects to promote
   Australian export trade;
 
 . obtaining, and making available to Australian organisations
   information relating to current or future opportunities for
   Australian export trade including opportunities for involvement in
   overseas development projects;
 
 . supporting and facilitating investment in overseas countries and
   Australia, where that investment is likely to enhance
   opportunities for Australian export trade;
 
 . carrying out, or assisting other persons to carry out, or
   participating with other persons in carrying out, in whole or in
   part, overseas development projects in circumstances where that
   course of action will benefit Australian organisations;  
 
 . providing insurance and other financial services to persons
   involved, either directly or indirectly, in Australian export
   trade;
 
 . administering the Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 which
   replaced the Export Market Grants Act 1974;

 . developing and administering schemes to provide assistance in the
   development of markets in foreign countries; and
 
 . facilitating access by persons to Departments of State of the
   Commonwealth by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State
   where that access is likely to enhance opportunities for
   Australian export trade.
 
Under the provisions of the Australian Commission Act 1985, the Commission may establish and operate offices in Australia or overseas, may form companies, partnerships, consortiums or other business associations for any purpose connected to the performance of its functions. This provision was repealed by the Australian Trade Commission Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (Section 25).

Austrade has provider arrangements on an ongoing basis with other Australian Government agencies. These include the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (CA 5987) for the management of consulates and honorary consulates providing assistance with passport services, notarial acts, medical evacuations, prison visits and general advice to Australians overseas; the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [II] (CA 9034) for the delivery of visa services at some overseas posts; and the Australian Electoral Commission (CA 3854) for the provision of voting services at overseas posts. Memorandums of Understanding exist with other agencies for the provision of IT and communications services offshore to onshore.


LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED
 . Australian Trade Commission Act 1985
 
 . Australian Trade Commission (Transitional Provisions and
   Consequential Amendments) Act 1985
    . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act 1974
    . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Act 1976
    . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Act (No.2)
      1976
    . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Act 1978
    . Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Act 1983
    . Australian Overseas Projects Corporation Act 1978
 
 . Export Market Development Grants Act 1974 (repealed in 1997)
 
 . Export Expansion Grants Act 1978 (repealed in 2006)

 . Export Market Development Grants Act 1997

 . Export Market Development Grants Amendment Act 2004
 
 . Trade Commissioners Act 1933


ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The Australian Trade Commission Board was established to determine the policy to be followed in the conduct of the affairs of the Commission. The Board consists of ten part-time members appointed by the Minister for Trade including Mr Vern Christie (Chairman), Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Mr Bill Ferris (Deputy Chairman), Director of Barlow Marine Ltd; and Mr Lindsay MacAlister (Managing Director), Managing Director of Australian General Electric Ltd. Five members form a quorum at meetings of the Commission. Questions are decided by a majority of votes, the presiding member having a deliberative and a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes.

On the 1 July 2006, amendments to Austrade's governance framework came into effect which sees the Chief Executive Officer have overall responsibility for the powers and functions exercised by the former Australian Trade Commission Board. The Executive management structure includes: The Executive Group, CEO Management Board, Audit and Risk Committee, CEO's Office, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Committees of the Executive Group.
 
Groups within the Commission are:
 
Export Development Group is the main planning and policy development body and is responsible for the design and execution of export development strategies for industry sectors, development of marketing and support programs and policies and corporate planning.
 
Export Finance and Insurance Group, formerly EFIG, provides a full range of financial and insurance services to the exporting community.
 
Overseas Projects Unit is responsible for the activities previously carried out by the AOPC, assisting the private sector secure contracts for major overseas development projects.
 
Market Development Grants Group, formerly the EDG, will continue to consider and process claims for incentive payments under the EMDG Act of 1974.
 
Corporate Services Group provides the Commission with essential corporate services, including personnel, public relations, personnel development, information and ADP, and resource management services.  
It is also the responsibility of the Commission to encourage banks and other financial institutions in Australia to finance or to assist in the financing of eligible export contracts.


STATE/REGIONAL STRUCTURE
There are 18 Austrade offices in all States and Territories of Australia as well as 54 TradeStart offices. TradeStart is a partnership between Austrade, State and Territory governments, industry associations and regional development organisations.

As at 30 June 2006, Austrade was operating in 143 overseas locations in 64 countries in four global regions:
 . the Americas
 . Europe, Middle East and Africa
 . North East Asia
 . South East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
As a result of Administrative Arrangements Order of 29 October 1991, effective 1 November 1991, responsibility for most of Austrade's enactments was transferred from the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (CA 4132) to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (CA 5987). However, the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce (CA 4132) retained control of the financial arm of Austrade.

On 1 July 2006 the enabling legislation, Australian Trade Commission Act 1985, was amended (date of assent 21 June 2006; date of proclamation 1 July 2006) to repeal the provisions that established Austrade as a corporate body. Austrade is no longer a Commonwealth authority under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. On the 1 July 2006 Austrade transitioned to operating as a statutory authority under the Public Service Act 1999 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
 
 
SOURCES
Austrade Bulletin, November 1985
 
Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No 186 of 1985, Australian Trade Commission Act 1985
 
Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No 187, Australian Trade Commission (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1985  

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No PS 45, 21 Nov 1985, p 8462
 
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S551, 20 Dec 1985  

The Austrader, Volume 1, No 6, 24 Mar 1986

The Canberra Times, 24 April 1985

Media Release, Minister for Trade, 23 April 1985

Historical agency address
Edmund Barton Building
Kings Avenue
Barton  ACT