The UK’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand came into force at midnight, with special shipments of British goods such as signed Beano comics among the first to be sent under the new arrangements.

The agreements are the first trade deals negotiated post-Brexit to enter into force and come after the UK, Australia and New Zealand completed their domestic ratification processes.

Under the deals’ terms, from Wednesday tariffs on all UK goods exports to Australia and New Zealand will be removed, access to these markets for services unlocked and red tape slashed for digital trade and work visas.

Ministers say that alongside the new trade deals, young Brits will also benefit from opportunities inAustralia thanks to the expansion of the shared Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Maker visa schemes.

On 1 July 2023, the age limit for UK applicants going to Australia will go from 30 to 35 years old, and from 1 July 2024, Brits will be able to stay in Australia for up to three years without having to meet specified work requirements.

Reacting to the new UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand trade deals which entered effect at midnight, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and member of the UK Trade Strategy Group, Dr Liz Cameron CBE, said:

“Scottish businesses will welcome seeing the UK’s first trade agreements come into force since we left the European Union.

“Combined UK bilateral trade with Australia and New Zealand amounts to over £15bn per year. Inward foreign direct investment from both countries into the UK is £16.6bn, and in the other direction represents a combined £42.1bn, highlighting the importance of securing these deals.

“By 2035, the Australia deal could boost the UK economy by £2.3bn per year, and the New Zealand deal by £0.8bn, over the long-term, with benefits felt across the UK.”

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