1. Purpose

To advise Members of the release of the revised Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice (Code). The Code is an integral part of the Grain Industry Self-Regulatory Framework. It is supported by GTA products & services, and its adoption is mandatory for all GTA Members.

2. Background

GTA commenced a project to review, update and revise the Code at the beginning of this year. The objective of the review was to ensure continued improvement, relevance and integrity of the Code to the grain Industry.

An Industry Working Group (IWG) consisting of a cross-section of industry participants was tasked with drafting changes to the Code. The final version of the Code was provided for review to GTA members in Member Update 5 of 2025, issued on 6 May 2025, allowing sufficient time for review and collecting the feedback. No material changes were proposed to the Code during this feedback period.

The Code is supported by several Technical Guideline Documents (TGDs). These provide additional and specific details, including a combination of quality assurance systems, storage and transport practices and sampling and testing regimes to assist the commercial marketing of grain in compliance with commercial and regulatory requirements. TGDs are reviewed and updated from time to time.

3. Agreed Changes for the Code

The GTA Board reviewed and approved the revised Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice in July 2025. The agreed changes are as follows:

1.  Added references to industry requirement to manage and consider traceability and sustainability
2. Added references for industry to consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects
3. Included clauses on the GTA Stewardship Framework for New Technologies
4. Added a requirement for the industry to carry out its activities and manage data and transactions securely, using shared data systems where practical
5. Added a requirement to carry out activities in compliance with Work Health & Safety (WH&S) laws and other relevant labour laws, including those related to modern slavery
6. Clarified industry actions when a chemical MRL is found to be in violation of regulations
7. Under the training requirements, it is now specified that at least one person from each company must complete GTA Code of Practice training
8. Removed various specific sections previously in the Chemical area and placed these in the Grain Quality Management and Marketing areas, as those clauses relate to marketing grain and managing all parameters, not just for chemicals
9. Revised wording in various sections for clarity, without altering the original requirement or intent of those statements
10. Added various definitions
11. Added recently completed Technical Guideline Documents (TGDs)
12. Updated various document and website links
13. Updates to various industry organisation names.

4. Next Steps

A new free online training module will be available on the GTA website. Members can register online for this training and be advised when it becomes available.

Under the revised Code, at least one person from each organisation must complete this training. In doing so, you will be able to demonstrate and understand the responsibilities under the Code.

The revised Code is available to download from the GTA website.

5. Further Information

For further information, please contact GTA at admin@graintrade.org.au

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