“The business supports the sustainability of the Australian wool industry through encouraging the cultivation of skills and knowledge, and engaging in activities that progress and protect the industry's productivity and integrity."
The Australian wool industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Australian wool growers are recognised globally for their strategic and innovative thinking, and adoption of technology and best practice.
AWSS recognises the future of the industry relies not only on environmental stewardship but also on wool growers:
Cultivating and transferring skills and knowledge within the industry.
Participating in industry programs and initiatives.
Prioritising biosecurity prevention and response activities.
Adhering to a Code of Conduct.
By prioritising the growth, retention and development of human capital, wool growers can achieve significant productivity, efficiency and profitability gains. By doing so, the industry can safeguard its expertise, adapt to emerging challenges, and capitalise on new opportunities.
Wool growers are encouraged to adopt practices that not only enhance their own capabilities but also contribute to the broader industry’s knowledge base. By engaging in industry programs, including research and development initiatives, extension programs, and advocacy efforts, growers can contribute to the collective advancement of the industry, fostering innovation and production improvements.
Growers are urged to implement robust biosecurity measures on their properties and take part in emergency animal disease prevention and response initiatives.
AWSS members must adhere to a Code of Conduct to represent and advocate for the industry with integrity, reinforcing trust and credibility with stakeholders and consumers.
Outcomes
Human capital is supported and managed efficiently.
Industry productivity is improved through collective advancement in research and innovation, and its extension to wool growers.
Biosecurity activities are prioritised.
Operators practice ethical behaviour, protecting the integrity and reputation of the wool industry.
Meeting this requirement
Owners / managers of AWSS-certified properties have committed to the AWSS Caring for our industry outcomes supported by declarations and evidence regarding their skills, knowledge, productivity, integrity and biosecurity management.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can request wool from your processing partners that have used wool lots identified as SustainaWOOL – SW code at auction in Australia.
Every property with an AWSS Certificate of Compliance has completed a successful desktop audit with their application including Operator declarations and commitments to the AWSS Grower Standard. A successful annual desktop audit is a condition of certification.
Desktop compliance reviews of the Australian auction catalogue are undertaken by AWEX each week.
Wool lots offered for sale as either SustainaWOOL (Scheme code 'SW') or ResponsiWOOL (Scheme code 'RE') are audited for current and correct certification, and against quality and integrity requirements.
On-farm inspections of Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme certified properties are carried out regularly.
This is currently undertaken by professional inspectors from the Australian Wool Exchange and will soon be moving to a third-party verifying entity.
The Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme (AWSS) connects Australian wool growers with brokers, buyers, processors and brands from around the world who share a common vision - of a wool industry that can celebrate and specify the highest standards of sustainability, integrity, and clip preparation, using technology to improve efficiency and enable traceability.
The Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme offers two types of certification: SustainaWOOL and ResponsiWOOL.
Both meet our sustainability standards across the board and differ only in one aspect of caring for sheep, which is breech modification status.
This allows the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme to be inclusive of different wool production systems in Australia, while importantly having clear separation for customers for whom purchasing non-mulesed wool is important.
To maximise competition and market access for their wool by managing and maintaining their properties, businesses, and the animals in their care, using world-class and recognised sustainable practices that help deliver ongoing viability and success of their enterprises and that of the Australian wool industry.
As an Australian sustainability scheme, the program aligns with key Australian wool industry programs, minimising duplication, and inefficiency of on-farm practice verification.
Using digital AWEX services and innovations such as WoolClip and eBale, choosing to be part of the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme can give the wool grower, their selling agent and buyers access to credible, fast, and cost-effective certification for lots of wool from a compliant property both at auction or privately sold and post-sale.
Flystrike is a serious condition that can cause remarkable pain and distress and can be fatal to sheep. Sheep genetics, climate conditions including sheep blowfly (Lucilia Cuprina) outbreaks after periods of rain and heat, and farming practices such as frequency of monitoring, crutching and administration of chemical protections, are all important factors to consider regarding the utility of breech modification on a given property.
By allowing mulesing with appropriate pain relief, ResponsiWOOL recognises breech modification as a tool that can help protect sheep as part of a property’s sheep health and wellbeing plan. This is an inclusive approach to enable more Australian wool producers to participate in sustainability certification.
