The Australian Trade Remedies Commission’s (ATRC) new name reflects its updated role as a specialist trade remedies authority.
The ATRC will now conduct safeguard inquiries as well as continue its responsibilities for dumping and subsidy investigations. Responsibility for safeguard inquiries previously sat with the Productivity Commission. This consolidation will help to improve regulatory efficiency and streamline processes for Australian industry.
The Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Act 2026 establishes the new name and functions. It came into effect on 29 September, amending 2 laws:
Safeguards are measures the Australian Government can impose when an increase in imported goods causes, or threatens to cause, serious injury to an Australian industry.
They may take the form of quotas, tariffs or tariff-rate quotas.
These measures are temporary and are product specific in line with World Trade Organization obligations.
An affected industry can ask the minister to initiate a safeguards inquiry. If the government decides to go ahead, it refers the inquiry to the Commissioner of the ATRC. The ATRC will then investigate and provide recommendations on whether safeguard measures should be imposed.
Our department can provide information about requesting a safeguard inquiry. Requesting parties can speak with our team to:
- get further information on the request process
- understand how safeguard measures may help with their circumstance.