Grain Trade Australia (GTA) welcomes the South Australian Government’s decision to extend commencement of the new Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for phosphine by 18 months, to July 2028, as a positive move forward. GTA maintains that a three-year deferral, consistent with that proposed in Victoria, is needed to properly validate practical measurement methods and develop workable controls.

The decision follows constructive and collaborative engagement between the South Australian Government, SafeWork SA, GTA, Grain Producers SA and the broader grain industry. It comes after WorkSafe Victoria’s August announcement of the proposal to delay commencement of 15 of the new WELs, including phosphine, by three years to 1 December 2029.

GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy said worker safety is the priority for all parties involved in the grain supply chain and recognised the South Australian decision was the result of genuine dialogue between government and industry.

“We thank the Deputy Premier, the Hon Kyam Maher MLC, and SafeWork SA for the way they have engaged with industry. They took the time to listen, to understand how phosphine is used across the grain value chain, and to give appropriate weight to the practical concerns industry has raised.

Those concerns are pragmatic ones. The revised WEL cannot presently be measured reliably in a timely manner in practical workplace conditions, its introduction midway through harvest would cause significant operational disruption”.

Phosphine is the primary fumigant used to protect stored grain from insects across the Australian supply chain, from on-farm silos through to bulk storage and export facilities. There is no equivalent, registered, commercially viable alternative available at the scale the industry requires.

“Introducing a limit of this kind in the middle of what is expected to be a record harvest in South Australia would have put grain storage, biosecurity, and export programs at risk at precisely the time that capacity is needed most,” Mr O’Shannassy said. “Australia produces millions of tonnes of grain annually, which supports our domestic food production. Uncertainty and operational delays can cause unintended ramifications. This extension gives growers, storage operators, and exporters certainty across at least the next two harvests.”

GTA also welcomed the commitment by SafeWork SA to work with the grain industry during the extension period, including developing guidance, education, and support relating to other WELs.

“The additional time allows the work that should accompany a change of this magnitude to be done properly: validating measurement methods, understanding the operational and economic impacts, and developing controls that the industry can actually implement. GTA looks forward to continuing that work alongside SafeWork SA and Grain Producers SA.”

With Victoria and South Australia now recognising the need for additional time, GTA is urging the remaining states and territories to continue engaging with industry and to consider a consistent, achievable timeframe and framework for implementation.

“Grain moves across state borders every day. Two states have recognised the significant practical issues in the context of the current timeframe of 1st December 2026. We welcome this decision as a positive and practical step. At the same time, GTA’s position remains that a three-year period provides the appropriate timeframe to properly work through the proposed new limits, validate the measurement methods and develop workable controls.”

GTA and its Members remain unequivocally committed to the safety of everyone who works in the grain value chain. GTA will continue to work constructively with the South Australian and Victorian Governments, Safe Work Australia, the APVMA, and industry partners towards a phosphine exposure standard that is measurable, achievable, and genuinely protective of worker health.

Media Contact

Pat O’Shannassy
CEO, Grain Trade Australia
Phone: +61 2 9235 2155
Email: pat.oshannassy@graintrade.org.au | www.graintrade.org.au

About GTA

Grain Trade Australia (GTA) is the peak industry body for the commercial grains sector in Australia, providing the framework to facilitate and promote grain trade. With over 280 Member organisations spanning the entire value chain, GTA Members are responsible for over 95% of all grain contracts, storage and freight movements nationally. GTA also represents Australia’s interests in global markets through its role as a founding and active member of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC). A list of GTA Members can be found at www.graintrade.org.au