On 13 November 2002 the US Trade Representative notified the US Congress of the intent to negotiate a free trade agreement with Australia. Negotiations began in March 2003 and concluded with an agreement on 8 February, 2004. On 13 February 2004, the President notified Congress of the intent to enter into the US-Australia FTA. Draft texts of the agreement were made available on 3 March 2004. The U.S.-Australia free trade agreement was signed on 18 May 2004.

Documents relating to the negotiations
18 May 2004	United States and Australia sign free trade agreement
18 February 2004	Notice of intent to enter into a free trade agreement with Australia
08 February 2004	United States and Australia complete negotiations
13 November 2002	USTR letter to the U.S. House of Representatives
13 November 2002	USTR letter to the U.S. Senate
13 November 2002	USTR notifies Congress of intent to initiate FTA negotiations with Australia
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR); Official White House website; U.S. Federal Register

On 3 March 2004 the USTR released the draft texts of the U.S.-Australia free trade agreement.

The U.S.-Australia FTA came into force on 1 January 2005.

The United States - Australia Free Trade Agreement was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on 14 July 2004 and in the U.S. Senate on 15 July 2004. The Act to implement the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement was signed by the President on August 3, 2004 (Public Law 108-286), allowing for the Agreement to take effect on or after January 1, 2005. Australia's domestic enabling legislation was passed by the Australian Parliament on 13 August 2004 and received Royal Assent on 16 August 2004.

Documents relating to the entry into force
01 January 2005	U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement goes into effect today
23 December 2004	Proclamation 7857 - To Implement the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement
13 December 2004	Modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to Implement the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ITC Publication 3722)
U.S. implementing legislation
03 August 2004	Public Law 108-286. An Act to Implement the United States-Australia FTA
20 January 2004	United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4759)
Australia's implementing legislation
16 August 2004	U.S. Free Trade Agreement Implemenation Act 2004 (No. 120, 2004)
16 August 2004	U.S. Free Trade Agreement Implementation (Customs Tariff) Act 2004 (No. 121, 2004)
Source: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); United States International Trade Commission (USITC); U.S. Federal Register; U.S. Library of Congress

In November 2004, Australia and the United States exchanged letters containing information regarding the implementation of certain aspects of the AUSFTA relating to intellectual property rights and exchanged notes confirming their understanding on this.

Exchange of letters between the United States and Australia
17 November 2004	Minister for Trade of Australia to USTR
17 November 2004	USTR to Minister for Trade of Australia
17 November 2004	Exchange of Notes Accepting Each Others' Completion of Necessary Internal Requirements to Implement the Agreement
Source: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Article 21.1 of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) establishes a Joint Committee to supervise the implementation of the Agreement and to review the trade relationship between the Parties. The Committee is made up of governmental representatives, Co-Chaired by the United States Trade Representative and the Minister of Trade of Australia or their designees. The Joint Committee is to meet regularly on a yearly basis to review the general functioning of the Agreement, review and consider specific matters related to its operation, consider and adopt amendments, facilitate avoidance and settlements of disputes arising under the Agreement, issue interpretations of the Agreement; consider ways to enhance trade relations among the Parties; and take any other actions agreed by the Parties.

Several Committees have been formed. The Committee on Agriculture met on 3 March 2006 in Washington, D.C. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee and the Standing Technical Working Group on Animal and Plant Health (STWGAPH) met on 14 February 2005 and on 6 March 2006. The Working Group on Professional Services (WGPS) met in June 2005 and March 2006. The Financial Services Committee met in June 2005 in Washington D.C. The Joint Working Group on Competition Law and Anticompetitive Business Practices (JWG) met in 2005 through videoconference. The Medicines Working Group (MWG) met on 13 January 2006.

The first meeting of the Joint Committee took place on 6 March 2006. Committees and Working Groups are to continue to meet in 2006 and a review of the implementation of the Government Procurement Chapter is to take place by January 2007. The Joint Committee is expected to meet next in 2007.

Documents relating to the Joint U.S.-Australia Committee
02 June 2008	Newark, New Jersey: Third meeting of the Joint Committee
07 March 2006	Washington, D.C.: First meeting of the Joint Committee
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

• Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
• Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
• Official White House website
• United States International Trade Commission (USITC)
• U.S Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
• U.S. Department of Labor
• U.S. Federal Register
• U.S. Library of Congress