We support dairy exporters to access markets overseas, but other government agencies and industry groups also have a role in exporting from Australia.
If you are involved in exporting dairy products, you are responsible for understanding your regulatory obligations.
There are a range of resources available outside of our website that may be useful for your manufacturing and export activities.
Codes and standards
Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Codes
The Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Codes (AHECC) are designed for use by exporters, customs brokers and freight forwarders in the classification of goods when providing export declarations to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
The Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding system is generally referred to as the ‘Harmonised System’ (HS). It is a multi-purpose international product classification nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and is used to classify traded products.
The customs tariff classification adds two sets of two digit codes to the six–digit international HS. Australia uses an eight-digit code to classify goods for export. The first six align with international classification standards, while the last two digits are specific to Australian exports.
The classifications are not static and are subject to change. It is very important to keep up-to-date with any changes as they occur. The AHECC is usually updated every January and July and up-to-date versions of the classifications can be found at the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Failure to properly classify your product could lead to incorrect taxation on your exports and the potential loss of the product.
Codex Alimentarius
The Codex Alimentarius (CODEX) is the harmonised international food standards, which protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.
CODEX requirements include guidance for a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan to meet export requirements.
Food Standards Code
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is developed and administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
The Code lists requirements for foods such as:
- additives
- food safety
- labelling
- genetically modified (GM) foods.
Enforcement and interpretation of the Code is the responsibility of state and territory departments and food agencies within Australia and New Zealand.
The Code includes general food, food product, food safety and primary production standards.
User guides to the Code are available to help industry comply with the Code. The guides, unlike the standards, are not legally binding.
Publications
These publications detail standards and procedures for preparing dairy products for export.
Heat treatment equipment and processes
Guidelines for food safety — Validation and verification of heat treatment equipment and processes are used to implement and audit food safety standards and practices.
We encourage you to use these procedures in your quality management systems.
These guidelines are published by Australia New Zealand Dairy Authorities' Committee (ANZDAC).
Microbiological requirements
Export registered dairy establishments must meet and comply with the food standards code requirements: Microbiological limits for food (Standard 1.6.1) | Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the compendium: Compendium of Microbiological Criteria for Food | Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
In addition to Food standards code requirements, establishments must also ensure they meet any importing country requirements, for more details, please visit the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) website. Please note that export requirements may vary from domestic requirements.
Industry groups
Dairy Australia
Dairy Australia works collaboratively with Australian and international government regulatory agencies and service suppliers to ensure a preventative approach to food safety across the integrated supply chain.
Dairy Australia is one of the peak industry bodies that represent the dairy industry and farmers and play a key role in our consultative process.
A web portal has been designed to assist dairy businesses wishing to supply to export markets. Visit the trade ready site to understand what is required to become trade ready.
Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee
The Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee (DEICC) is the principal consultative committee for the department and the Australian dairy export industry.
It includes representation from:
- small and large dairy industries
- exporters
- peak industry bodies including Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC), Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) and Dairy Australia
- the department.
State agencies
State regulatory authorities may also be audit service providers under agreed service delivery arrangements with us.
Dairy agency websites: