The office of Defence Export Controls is responsible to the Minister for Defence for regulating the export of defence and dual-use goods as part of Australia's system of export controls. The Minister for Defence is authorised to grant a licence or permission to export goods and technology listed in the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
The DSGL is the key to understanding export trade controls on your research. It is a legislative instrument that is a compilation of military and dual‐use goods and technology that Australia controls for transfer overseas, as a member of international counter‐proliferation regimes. Goods and technology included in the DSGL may not be exported or supplied from Australia unless a licence or permission has been granted.
The DSGL includes equipment, assemblies and components, chemicals, biologicals, associated test, inspection and production equipment, processes, materials, software and technology. The DSGL is divided into two parts:
- Defence and related goods – those goods designed or adapted for use by armed forces or goods that are inherently lethal.
- Dual-use goods – those goods comprising equipment and technology 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.
The DSGL contains exemptions relating to technology or software that is in the public domain and also to basic scientific research.