Export Finance Australia ready to support export opportunities in Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement

Media release

24 March 2026

Export Finance Australia (EFA) has welcomed the conclusion of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement and emphasised its capacity to support Australian exporters seeking to make the most of the new trade opportunities.

The agreement will deliver economy‑wide benefits for Australia, significantly improving access to a 450‑million‑consumer market and supporting more than $109 billion in two‑way trade, while removing the vast majority of EU tariffs.  

The agreement also contains new commitments to facilitate greater cooperation with the EU on critical minerals. EFA is Australia’s leading financier of critical minerals projects, with approximately A$3.9 billion in approvals, and supported Vulcan Energy’s Phase One Lionheart Project in Germany with an early €120 million approval to help Australian exporters secure opportunities in the project.  

Francis Wedin, Executive Chair of Vulcan Energy, said the FTA would strengthen export opportunities for European automotive customers using Vulcan’s lithium in electric vehicle manufacturing. “After jointly leading the $3.9 billion financing of Vulcan Energy’s lithium production facilities, the signing of this FTA by the governments of Australia and the EU is a significant milestone,” he said. 

EFA’s Managing Director & CEO, John Hopkins, said the new Free Trade Agreement with the EU would help more Australian businesses expand, diversify and scale globally, and emphasised the role EFA can play in supporting these opportunities. 

“This agreement is an important step in strengthening Australia’s trade relationship with Europe and clearly signals our mutual commitment to finding new opportunities for exporters and advancing collaboration on common strategic interests,” Mr Hopkins said. 

“Whether through specialist finance, or guarantees to build confidence in export relationships, Export Finance Australia is here to support exporters looking to take advantage of the significant opportunities this agreement presents, providing greater certainty and confidence for Australian businesses to scale globally. 

“As we’ve done for almost 70 years, EFA remains committed to supporting Australian exporters as they pursue new opportunities overseas and scale globally with confidence,” Mr Hopkins said.  

Media contact: 

EFA
media@exportfinance.gov.au

About Export Finance Australia

EFA is Australia’s export credit agency. EFA provides commercial finance for export trade and overseas investment and infrastructure development. From small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporates, foreign governments and infrastructure projects, it helps Australian businesses take on the world. In doing so, EFA’s finance supports Australia’s economic security and regional resilience.  

EFA administers the Australian Government’s National Interest Account, which currently includes the Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility, the Critical Minerals Facility, the Defence Export Facility and lending for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific. EFA also provides support to other Commonwealth entities, including Housing Australia and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.