International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd. (IFCBAA)

What International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd. (IFCBAA) does

IFCBAA (International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd.) is the single peak industry body for licensed customs brokers and international freight forwarders in Australia, formed on 1 July 2020 through the merger of CBFCA and AFIF and tracing its institutional origins to 1904. Headquartered in Caringbah, NSW, with 24 employees, the association operates a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 30772) delivering the ABF-approved TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking and the FIATA-recognised TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding through its online learning arm, the International Trade and Logistics College (ITALC).

The organisation monetises across five streams: tiered annual membership fees (Business, Individual, Student, Licentiate, Affiliate); vocational training and short courses (Dangerous Goods, CBC, introductory modules); an Accredited CPD Program delivering the 30 annual CPD points required of licensed customs brokers via webinars, regional forums, and the annual National Conference; events and conferences including the 2026 Hobart National Conference; and publications such as the ~700-page International Logistics and Freight Forwarding Manual ($170.50). Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on its website, LinkedIn presence, industry events, and referral networks within the licensed trade.

IFCBAA's value proposition is built on regulatory and credentialing authority: it is the recognised counterpart to the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, CASA, and FIATA, and its diploma is the sole approved prerequisite for customs broker licensing. The customer base is fragmented across hundreds of licensed brokers, freight forwarding businesses, students, and affiliate service providers across all Australian states, with additional overseas ITALC enrolments, yielding low customer concentration but limited revenue transparency as a non-profit association limited by guarantee.

Name

International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd. (IFCBAA)

Legal name

International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd.

Website

https://ifcbaa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFCBAA is Australia's single peak industry body for licensed customs brokers and international freight forwarders, formed in 2020 from the merger of CBFCA and AFIF. It delivers ABF- and FIATA-recognised diplomas via its RTO (ITALC), plus CPD, events, and membership services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage & Trade Compliance (EDAOANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs Consulting & Brokerage Outsourcing (Managed Brokerage, Brokerage Operations) (TLACAFAI), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL)

Keywords

• Customs brokerage training
• Freight forwarding education
• Industry association membership
• Professional development CPD
• Vocational diploma programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Caringbah

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from multiple tiers including Business (calculated based on number of licensed customs brokers or state branches for freight forwarders), Individual, Student, Licentiate, and Affiliate Business members. Annual fees cover financial year July-June with pro-rata fees available mid-year.
2. Training and Education: Revenue from diploma courses including TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking ($5,460 total, $390 per unit) and TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding ($4,290 total, $390 per unit). Additional revenue from Dangerous Goods training, ULD training, and short courses.
3. CPD Program Access: CBFCA's Accredited CPD Program provided free to CBFCA members; available for purchase separately for non-members. Webinars provide 3 CPD points per session.
4. Events and Conferences: Revenue from National Conference registrations (Full Conference $1,150-$1,350 + GST for members), individual event tickets (Welcome Reception $160, Gala Dinner $190, Golf $220, Liner Game $220, Incat Tour $40), and regional CPD forums.
5. Publications and Products: Sale of International Logistics and Freight Forwarding Manual textbook at $170.50. This 700-page manual by Russell Burke is the required textbook for the Diploma in International Freight Forwarding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IFCBAA is Australia's unified peak industry body for customs brokers and freight forwarders, offering tiered membership (Business, Individual, Student, Licentiate, Affiliate), accredited vocational diplomas (TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking and TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding) delivered online via the ITALC platform, a mandatory CPD program providing 30 annual points, and an annual National Conference plus regional forums. As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 30772), IFCBAA is the sole ABF-approved provider of the prerequisite Diploma of Customs Broking for Australian customs broker licensing.

Product overview

IFCBAA operates as a peak industry body offering a comprehensive portfolio of membership tiers (Business, Individual, Student, Licentiate, Affiliate), professional development programs (CPD, webinars, forums, conferences), and accredited vocational education courses. The core education products include the TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking (the ABF-mandated prerequisite for licensed customs brokers, 2 years, $5,460) and the TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding (FIATA-recognized, 12 months, $4,290). These are delivered through the International Trade and Logistics College (ITALC) as a unified training platform. The CPD program offers 30 annual points through live/pre-recorded webinars, Regional CPD Forums, and the annual National Conference. Events include conferences, golf days, race days, and Women in Logistics networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Membership Annual membership for sole proprietors, partnerships or corporations engaged in customs broking and/or international freight forwarding. Fees are calculated based on number of licensed customs broker employees or state branches, providing member benefits including discounted training, events, industry information, and networking.
• Individual Membership Annual membership for individuals working in the customs broking and freight forwarding industry, providing access to professional development, training benefits, and member-only information.
• Student Membership Free membership for students enrolled in the Diploma of Customs Broking or Diploma of International Freight Forwarding through ITALC, providing access to industry resources during their studies.
• Licentiate Membership Membership for Diploma of Customs Broking graduates working towards obtaining their customs brokers licence, providing a professional development pathway toward full licensure.
• Affiliate Business Membership Membership for service providers to the logistics industry not eligible for standard Business Membership, providing brand exposure and network access among IFCBAA members without voting rights.
• TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking Accredited vocational diploma approved by Australian Border Force as the sole prerequisite course for becoming a licensed customs broker in Australia. Delivered online via ITALC over 4 semesters (2 years) with 14 core units of study. Total cost $5,460 or $390 per unit.
• TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding Accredited vocational diploma recognised by FIATA as prerequisite for the FIATA Diploma award. Foundation course for the international supply chain sector, delivered online via ITALC over 2 semesters (12 months) with 10 core units and 2 electives. Total cost $4,290 or $390 per unit.
• Dangerous Goods Air Courses CASA-approved Dangerous Goods Air Acceptance, Re-certification and Awareness courses delivered online for air freight professionals handling hazardous materials.
• Introduction to International Freight Forwarding and Customs Clearance Course Entry-level course developed to address the industry skills shortage, providing foundational knowledge in international freight forwarding and customs clearance for new entrants.
• CBFCA Accredited CPD Program Continuous Professional Development program providing the 30 annual CPD points required for licensed customs brokers through Stream A (core units) and Stream B (industry topics) activities, including live webinars, pre-recorded sessions, and venue events. Free to CBFCA members; available for purchase separately for non-members.
• Online CPD Webinars Live and pre-recorded online CPD webinars delivered via ITALC, typically scheduled at midday AEST on weekdays, each providing 3 CPD points toward the annual 30-point requirement.
• Regional CPD Forums Full-day face-to-face events held annually in each Australian state covering contemporary industry issues with Stream A and Stream B CPD points, featuring government regulators and industry experts, providing up to 20 CPD points annually.
• Regional Trade & Logistics Forums Half-day industry forums covering shipping industry developments, ports, air cargo handling services, and government agency updates, providing up to 3 CPD points per event.
• Continued Biosecurity Competence (CBC) Program Program designed to maintain biosecurity compliance for industry professionals through ongoing training and competency verification in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
• 2026 IFCBAA National Conference Three-day annual conference held in May featuring plenary sessions, pre-conference activities (Golf, Liner Game, Incat Tour), Welcome Reception, and Industry Gala Dinner with Awards. Full Conference pricing ranges from $1,150 (Early Bird Member) to $1,550 (Standard Non-Member) plus GST.
• International Logistics and Freight Forwarding Manual Nearly 700-page textbook by Russell Burke, endorsed by Freight Councils around Australia and recognised as the definitive manual for the Diploma in International Freight Forwarding. Price: $170.50 per copy.

Quantifiable outcome

• CPD points attainable through Stream A (all 30 points) and Stream B (up to 12 points)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Trade and Logistics College (ITALC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITALC (International Trade and Logistics College) is the online learning platform through which IFCBAA delivers its diploma programs. ITALC (RTO Code 30772) provides the technical infrastructure for course delivery, webinar hosting, and student management. IFCBAA membership login credentials now work for ITALC access, eliminating separate login requirements.
• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIATA recognizes the TLI50119 Diploma of International Freight Forwarding as the prerequisite for the prestigious FIATA Diploma award. Students completing the IFCBAA diploma are automatically eligible for the globally recognized FIATA Diploma, the gold standard worldwide for freight forwarders.
• Australian Border Force (ABF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABF is the regulatory body that approves the TLI50822 Diploma of Customs Broking as the sole prerequisite course for persons seeking customs broker licences in Australia. ABF also works with IFCBAA on the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) training portal for mandatory CPD modules.
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAFF biosecurity import industry notices are distributed through IFCBAA's news platform. IFCBAA provides Continued Biosecurity Competence (CBC) Program to keep members compliant with biosecurity requirements. Ongoing regulatory updates and compliance guidance.
• CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFCBAA is a CASA Approved Provider for Dangerous Goods Air Acceptance, Re-certification and Awareness courses, enabling delivery of aviation-related hazardous materials training.
• Hotel Grand Chancellor HobartminorOthersVenue partner for the 2026 National Conference. Located at 1 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000. Special delegate accommodation rates negotiated: City View $240/night, Harbour View $290/night.
• IncatminorOthersIncat is Australia's largest commercial ship building fleet operation providing pre-conference tour facilities for the 2026 National Conference. Tour at 100 Derwent Park Road, Derwent, Hobart.
• Import Export TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for National Conference featured on ifcbaa.com conference pages.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations): Global peak body for freight forwarding associations worldwide. IFCBAA is a member of FIATA, and FIATA's recognition of IFCBAA's diploma creates a structural linkage. Acts as the international umbrella and standard-setter for associations like IFCBAA.
• The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA): Global industry association for the air cargo supply chain, including freight forwarders. Adjacent to IFCBAA's airfreight forwarding member base; represents a wider ecosystem of air cargo stakeholders including carriers, handlers, and forwarders.

Regional players

• Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Ltd (HAFFA): Hong Kong national trade association for freight forwarders and logistics providers. Comparable to IFCBAA in serving as a peak body for forwarding professionals with training and advocacy functions in a major Asia-Pacific jurisdiction.
• Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA): Japan's national association for international freight forwarders. Comparable regional peer representing a similar member cohort with training and government liaison functions, operating in a large Asia-Pacific market.
• Singapore Logistics Association (SLA): Singapore national association for the logistics industry, including freight forwarding. Operates a similar trade-association-plus-training model in a major Asia-Pacific trade hub, serving as a comparable regional peer.
• Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of New Zealand (CBAF): New Zealand national association for customs brokers and freight forwarders. Closest geographic peer to IFCBAA, operating in a similar Trans-Tasman regulatory environment with comparable membership and training functions.

Direct peers

• British International Freight Association (BIFA): UK trade association for international freight forwarding and customs clearance services. Direct peer operating under a similar membership-plus-training-plus-representation model, with comparable member tiers, training offerings, and government liaison functions to IFCBAA.
• Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA): Canadian national association for freight forwarders and customs brokers providing education, training, and advocacy. Operates a similar model to IFCBAA with member categories, professional development, and government relations for trade compliance.
• National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA): US national trade association representing licensed customs brokers, freight forwarders, and NVOCCs. Most direct international analog to IFCBAA in terms of mandate, membership structure, regulatory advocacy, and education/training programs serving the same professional cohort.

Others

• Australian Industry Group (Ai Group): Large Australian peak industry association representing employers across multiple sectors including transport and logistics. While not a direct forwarder/broker association, it provides broader Australian industry representation context and competes for member mindshare and policy influence.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=S12xMZYmZ88&t=52s
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-forwarders-and-customs-brokers-asssociation-of-australiaaustralia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of Australia Ltd. (IFCBAA)