{"id":92,"date":"2022-11-16T18:57:28","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T08:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambcanberra.esteri.it\/italia-e-australia\/diplomazia-economica\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T10:10:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T00:10:50","slug":"diplomazia-economica","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ambcanberra.esteri.it\/en\/italia-e-australia\/diplomazia-economica\/","title":{"rendered":"Diplomazia economica"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia \u2013 Italy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the distance, the ties between Australia and Italy are very strong. This also due to the long history of emigration, the cultural influence is very much present and tangible.<\/p>\n

Total trade between Italy and Australia<\/strong> in 2025 reached 5.947 billion euros, with net exports amounting to 5.379 billion and imports from Australia totalling 568 million euros. Italy is Australia\u2019s eleventh-largest supplier, ranking second among European countries. There is also a well-established presence of major Italian industrial groups and other smaller businesses that are at the cutting edge of technology and innovation.<\/p>\n

In total, there are around 270 Italian companies with a stable and direct presence in the Australian market, through production facilities, commercial branches or representative offices, operating in almost all sectors: energy and engineering (ENI, Enel, Saipem, Prysmian), infrastructure and construction (Webuild, Rizzani de Eccher, Ghella), financial services (Intesa SanPaolo), fashion (Armani, Dolce&Gabbana, Tod\u2019s, Gucci, Ferragamo, Max Mara, Luxottica, Zegna), automotive (Ferrari, Maserati), fitness (Technogym), food products (Lavazza, Campari, Gruppo Inalca, Ferrero, Barilla).<\/p>\n

Regional gateway market:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many companies choose Australia as a base from which to expand into the region, taking advantage of the benefits offered by the network of around 19 free trade agreements to which the country is a member. This factor has contributed positively to the liberalisation of investment, the modernisation of intellectual property legislation and the development of e-commerce.<\/p>\n

FTA and further opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently, nearly 15,000 Italian companies export to Australia, and this figure is set to rise, thanks to the conclusion of negotiations on the EU\u2013Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the new opportunities this opens up. Estimates suggest that trade in goods and services between the two regional blocks will increase by around a third.<\/p>\n

European exporters of machinery, motor vehicles and chemicals will benefit significantly from the Agreement, thanks to the immediate removal of tariffs from the date of entry into force. In the service sector, European companies will see greater market access in the professional, maritime and financial services sectors. Tariff barriers will also be progressively removed for the agri-food sector \u2014 with particular reference to key sectors such as dairy, wine and confectionery \u2014 whilst safeguarding protected geographical indications (PGI\/PDO) and strict European phytosanitary standards.<\/p>\n

The agreement also strengthens the EU\u2019s supply of critical raw materials from Australia (including aluminium, lithium and manganese), by reducing or eliminating tariffs and improving the security of supply chains. This is essential for diversifying the sources needed to support growth in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy, whilst ensuring high standards of environmental sustainability and greater cooperation on investments and projects related to critical raw materials.<\/p>\n

The 2026\u20132027 Budget approved by the Australian Government allocates $38.6 million over four years from the 2026\u201327 financial year (and $7.1 million in the current financial year) for the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.<\/p>\n

Key sectors<\/strong><\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s dynamic economy, expanding trade footprint, growing population and large number of projects in the pipeline provide the ideal conditions for investing in major infrastructure. According to the 2026\u201327 federal budget, the government will allocate 173.3 million Australian dollars over five years, starting in 2025\u201326, to support the growth of Australia\u2019s critical minerals industry. To fund infrastructure priorities in the road and rail sectors, with a view to supporting productivity and employment, the government will allocate 8.6 billion Australian dollars over eleven years, starting in 2025\u201326 (and 75.7 million Australian dollars per year on a permanent basis). The allocations include:<\/p>\n