Australian Government: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Movement of wildlife and wildlife products into or out of Australia is regulated by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). International wildlife trade provisions of the EPBC Act are administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Australia is a partner in the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), and also a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
More at: www.environment.gov.au/travel
CAWT Partner activities in 2009
Endangered Species Certification Scheme (ESCS) – Chinese Medicines
The Australian Government provided funding and support to the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) for the development of the Endangered Species Certification Scheme (ESCS).
The scheme recognises the efforts of Australia’s traditional medicine professionals to protect endangered species. It was launched in May 2008 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett.
The ESCS enables traditional medicine professionals to obtain official acknowledgement that the wildlife products they use or sell do not contain ingredients from threatened species.
The Australian Government continues to work co-operatively with the AACMA to promote the scheme and increase uptake by industry.
Information booth at the Australasian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Annual Conference, 22 -24 May 2009 to inform traders and professionals of CITES obligations relating to trade in international wildlife.
Pacific Customs Management Forum (PCMP)
Education sessions designed to assist in strengthening the enforcement capacity of customs and wildlife protection agencies in the Oceania region were run by Australian Government officers at the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Pacific Customs Management Program (PCMP).
The sessions incorporated Australian experiences and used case studies to examine how relationships between federal agencies can help protect wildlife from illegal trafficking as well as strengthen regional enforcement capacity.
Participants inspected wildlife specimens seized by Australian Customs and shared stories on their own experiences with wildlife enforcement. 
Senior Policy and Communications Officer Kelly-Anne Butcher delivering the presentation.
Engage Travel Agents
International Wildlife Trade Section conducted a nation wide mail-out of educational material to travel agents. The mail-out was aimed to ensure more comprehensive distribution of information to travellers across Australia by ensuring wildlife information is given to travellers by agents along with other essential travel information.
Over 25,000 brochures were requested in the initial mail-out and requests for new stocks continue to be received by the Department.
DEWHA’s flagship brochure – "If in doubt – Check it out"
Travelexpo 2009
The Department hosted an information booth at the 2009 Travelxpo (Sydney, Australia) to increase awareness of wildlife trade issues amongst the public and industry.