Bergami, Roberto (2009) The Australian National Customs Brokers Course: a Potential e-Learning Model. Revista Romana de Comunicare Si Relatii Publice, 11 (1 (15)). pp. 57-71. ISSN 1454-8100

Abstract

The liberalization of Australia’s economy began in the 1980’s when the Labor Government dismantled existing protectionist tariff barriers and allowed direct foreign competition. Changes to tariff barriers and duty rates had a profound impact on key service providers of international trade facilitation, such as licenced customs brokers. To operate as a customs broker, an individual has to complete a prescribed course of study and subsequently pass a national examination. This paper discusses the changes introduced to the national customs brokers course, and in particular, the development of an e-learning platform by a private education provider. The major benefits and potential pitfalls of the specifically chosen e-learning approach are outlined, together with a summary of student feedback. The paper concludes that the e-learning approach followed in this course of study provides opportunities for the development of communities of practice, and offers additional benefits to those of classroom based studies.

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