Australia has implemented defence export control legislation and regulations that are designed to protect national security interests and stem the proliferation of military goods and technologies that may be associated with conventional, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and the systems that deliver them. To achieve this, the export and supply of goods, technology and/or information that are classified as “controlled” outside of Australia is restricted and prior approval is required by Defence Export Controls before this export can take place.
Defence export controls
Primary responsibility for compliance with export control laws rests with YOU, the individual researcher. This is due to the obligations imposed by the laws and the basis that researchers have the expertise to identify whether their activities or intended exports require a permit or approval. Violation of Australian Defence Export Controls laws have penalties that apply to the individual researcher.
Researchers are encouraged to keep a record of all decisions made in regards to Defence Export Controls – further information below.
Researchers should refer to the University of Wollongong’s Defence Trade Controls Guideline for further details.
UOW maintains a central register to track approved permits and approvals and compliance with any conditions that may be required. All applications for assessment, permits and approvals MUST be submitted to the UOW Defence Export Controls for lodgement.
Queries, further information and advice can be sought by contacting UOW Defence Export Controls.
The Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) 2024 came into effect on 16 August 2024 and includes 278 amendments. Further information available on the Defence and Strategic Goods List 2024 is available on the Defence website.
DEC Outreach sessions
On Thursday 12 June 2025, Defence Export Controls, the Commonwealth Regulator, will be facilitating a session to provide information on export compliance obligations and best practice. Register for the Defence Export Controls Compliance session here.
International Collaboration and Other Regulatory Requirements
Defence Export Controls are just one of the regulatory requirements designed to ensure that Australia’s national interest is protected. The investigators, partners and research area of all projects should be assessed to ensure the project complies with all assessment, permit and notification requirements for Sanctions, the Foreign Interference Transparency Scheme and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme. The Regulatory Checklist for International Collaborations (PDF: 188 KB) is designed to help staff navigate the legislative requirements and understand if a permit, notification or additional assessment is required.
- Start your thinking here
- Determining if a permit may be required
- UOW Permit Application Process
- Forms, Guidelines and Policies
- Outreach and training
- Help and advice
- Frequently asked questions
If Defence Export Controls is new to you then it is important you find out what activities require a permit in order for you to undertake your research.
The Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) 2024 is divided into two parts:
- Defence and related goods, that is, goods and technologies designed or adapted for use by armed forces or goods that are inherently lethal. These goods include:
- military goods, being goods or technology that is designed or adapted for military purposes, including their parts and accessories; and
- non‑military lethal goods, being equipment that is inherently lethal, incapacitating or destructive, such as non‑military firearms, non‑military ammunition and commercial explosives and initiators.
- Goods that have a dual use. Dual‑use goods comprise equipment and technologies developed to meet commercial needs but which may be used either as military components, or for the development or production of military systems or weapons of mass destruction.
A simplified outline of the list is provided in Division 2 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) 2024.The full list can be found in Part 1 – Munitions list and Part 2 – Dual-use list of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) 2024.
Start thinking about the research items (information, software, goods and/or technology) that you are working with. Below are some of the questions a researcher should ask themselves:
- Is there an international partner / collaborator?
- Will I be supplying any information, software, goods and/or technology internationally?
- Is any of the information, software, goods and/or technology being supplied internationally designed specifically for military end use?
- Could any of the information, software, goods and/or technology being supplied internationally be potentially modified for military end use?
- Could my information, software, goods and/or technology possibly be used to assist a weapons of mass destruction program?
- Am I sending anything to a country that is subject to UN Security Council or Australian Autonomous Sanctions?
- Does my work have any risks that may compromise Australia's national security?
- Is any of the information, software, goods or technology that I am working with found on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL)?
- Will I be publishing? Note: Publishing Part 1 (Munitions List) DSGL technology is regulated and requires approval from Defence Export Controls (DEC) before publication. Publishing Part 2 (Dual-Use List) DSGL technology does not require approval for publishing.
Primary responsibility for compliance with export control laws rests with the individual researcher. It is important you can show due diligence and what was considered when considering Defence Export Controls - even in the case where a permit is not required.
You may also wish to review the Exemptions defined as per the DSGL.
You should retain a record of any considerations you have made as evidence of your due diligence (for example: meeting notes, project file note, email discussion, regulatory checklist). Please contact UOW Defence Export Controls if you require further advice.
- Review the summary of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) found on the Defence Export Controls webpage to check if goods, equipment, materials, software or technology related to your research may appear in the DSGL 2024. The summary information also contains defined exemptions.
- Review the Defence and Strategic Goods List (2024) legislation, which is much more detailed, to check if goods, equipment, materials, software or technology related to your research
- If your research appears in Part 1 of the DSGL OR if your research appears in Part 2 of the DSGL and you will be exporting your research in any way – travelling overseas, accessing it from overseas, emailing or sharing with an international collaborator, sharing in Australia with a foreign national please contact UOW Defence Export Controls.
If the review of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) is indicating a permit may be required, contact UOW Defence Export Controls with the following information as applicable:
- A list of all collaborators, their country of residence and their institution
- A description of the research and its goals/aims and how it may be translated
- Documents of relevance such as Grant applications, Materials Transfer Agreements, End User Letters of agreement etc.
- The section of the DSGL that applies to your research
If your review of the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) is indicating a permit is not required you are advised to lodge this information with UOW Defence Export Controls for recordkeeping purposes.
UOW Defence Export Controls will lodge your permit for assessment via the MADE (My Australian Defence Exports Portal) and will manage communications with Defence Export Controls, advising you of the outcome of your application.
To understand Australian export control laws review the learning resources available on the Defence Export Controls Outreach and training webpage. This includes:
1) Online Navigating Australia's Defence Export Controls Framework via Defence's Learn eXcel Perform (LXP) to assist in understanding when permits are required and aid regulatory compliance.
2) Export Controls Deep Dive Materials and Guidance and Examples
3) Links to recordings of past events
4) Option to subscribe to The Declaration Bulletin
UOW Outreach and training
- Complete UOW’s Defence Export Controls training (provided by Epigeum) in Moodle
- Watch UOW’s International Collaborations video
- Stay up to date via the monthly Research newsletter
Advice:
- Be familiar with the Defence and Strategic Goods List and how it intersects with your area of research. Always consider the potential military applications of your research.
- Know your collaborators
- Know where you are supplying your research
- Keep records of your decisions
- Contact UOW Defence Export Controls with queries, for assistance with your assessment, permit applications and training/presentations.
Legislation:
Australian export controls are administered through a range of legislation as outlined on the Defence Export Controls legislation webpage.
Q) What is UOW’s Defence Export Controls Client Registration Number (DCRN)?
A) Contact UOW Defence Export Controls
Q) What information will I need to supply to Defence Export Controls?
A) There are a series of permit application guides available from Defence Export Controls that show the questions the system will ask when applying for a permit for export or supply.
Q) Is there an application fee to lodge a permit application?
A) No. Defence permits and assessments are free of charge.
Q) How long will the permit approval take?
A) Defence Export Controls processing time varies depending on the sensitivity or complexity of the application, the number of other applications they are processing and the completeness of the application. You should factor weeks, and potentially a month or more for an application that is highly complex or sensitive.
Q) Are there any exemptions?
A) Yes. Exemptions for DSGL technology are listed on the Defence Export Controls website.
Q) There is an exemption for Fundamental Research – where can I find out more information about this?
A) Refer to the Defence Export Controls: Fundamental research and foreign nationals webpage and the Defence Export Controls: Higher Education and Research Deep Dive
Q) Are there rules for supplying DSGL technology WITHIN Australia?
A) Yes. The Defence Export Controls Factsheet contains additional information.
Q) I am part of a project collaboration that has researchers from overseas and other Australian Universities. I am not the Project Leader. Do I need to do anything if I need to supply DSGL technology overseas as part of this project?
A) You will need to obtain a copy of the permit and ensure that you have been named as a collaborator on the permit before sending or sharing any DSGL technology with your international collaborators. Discuss with your collaborators and contact UOW Defence Export Controls for further advice.
Q) Are there any countries I cannot export to?
A) There are no specific countries that where you cannot export however you do need to consider any sanctions that may be imposed.
Q) I am a HDR Candidate – do Defence Export Controls apply to me?
A) Yes. In the first instance you should discuss with your HDR Supervisor to determine if a permit is required for your research.
Q) I have a HDR Candidate working in my research group who is from overseas. Do I need a permit for them to access the DSGL technology that we are using?
A permit is not required as long as the supply and DSGL technology does not leave Australia and the HDR Candidate is an exempt foreign person as per the Foreign Country List. Further information available from Defence Export Controls Higher Education and Research Deep Dive Information
Q) Where can I find the Foreign Country List?
A) The Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 – Foreign Country List is available in the Federal Register of Legislation. Further information available from Defence Export Controls Higher Education and Research Deep Dive Information
Q) Are there penalties for non-compliance?
A) Yes. Breaching export controls is a criminal offence. Further information in available on Compliance on the Defence Export Controls
Q) Are there international agreements that need to be considered along with Australia’s export controls legislation?
A) Yes. Further information on multilateral agreements, US export controls and other international agreements is available on the Defence Export Controls – International Obligations