Access to critical raw materials (CRM) on global markets is one of the EU’s priorities. Ongoing geopolitical tensions over their supply chains have prompted the EU to introduce a range of internal and external policy instruments. At the same time, Australia, with its rich geological resources, is positioning itself as a critical minerals’ powerhouse. Its potential for supplying critical minerals to strategic partners can contribute to the security and resilience of global supply chains, thus ensuring Australia’s own economic security. Recognising this, in May 2024, the EU and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership to build stable and sustainable critical minerals supply chains, forming a political platform for enhanced bilateral cooperation and multi-actor dialogue, and signalling to investors the scope of opportunities in developing sustainable critical minerals projects. The EU and Australia are also continuing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, which will provide a stable legal framework for a broader economic bilateral relationship.

The Centre of Excellence engages with legal, policy and industry developments relevant for the EU-Australia cooperation on critical minerals in a broader international trade and investment context. It is led by an international team of researchers and senior experts, who bring complementary practical and specialised knowledge, and academic, government and industry experience. The Centre’s interdisciplinary approach enables the coverage of an array of regulatory issues related to security and sustainability of critical minerals’ supply chains, through development of research resources and outreach activities. The Centre has a deeply practical engagement with policy and industry stakeholders, with direct involvement of the Export Council of Australia as the industry partner. The Centre’s specific objectives include:

• Contributing to empirical research, research excellence and capacity building in the field of EU studies

• Fostering dialogue and engagement between academia, policy and industry stakeholders

• Generating knowledge on EU policies concerning critical raw materials’ supply chains and their impact on Australian stakeholders

• Exploring shared EU-Australia policy interests in relation to critical minerals’ mining, trade and investment

• Providing accurate information to wider society about the role of the EU in the international legal order and the impact of its policies on citizens.