AWSS is a voluntary program made for the Australian wool industry that provides Certificates of Compliance to properties (at a PIC level) that participate and adhere to its requirements.

Wool growers with properties that have a current Certificate of Compliance, and who meet the scheme's clip preparation and integrity requirements, are eligible to sell their wool as either SustainaWOOL or ResponsiWOOL certified, in line with source property's certification.

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​What do I need to do to get an AWSS Certificate of Compliance for my property? 

  • Commit to the Outcomes of the AWSS Standard: Wool growers must fully embrace the outcomes specified by the AWSS standard.

  • Successfully complete a desktop audit on application, and when renewing certification each year, and take part in an on-farm inspection if selected for auditing (a minimum of the square root of AWSS properties will be inspected each year).

  • Adhere to a Code of Conduct: Participants must follow the AWSS code of conduct to ensure ethical and responsible practices.

  • Pay an Annual Fee: A standard annual fee for participation (see table below) per property and payable at the time of successful application and from 1 July each year.
    • Fees are applicable for the financial year irrespective of the time of joining.
    • Fees are non-refundable.
    • Discounts are available for additional properties held by the same trading entity.
To celebrate the launch of AWSS, an early bird discount is available for applications received by August 9, 2024. 

All Fees are excl GST unless otherwise stated Property (PIC) Per additional Property (PIC) with the same ABN
Annual Fee $750 $600
Early Bird Annual Fee* $600 $480

*Early bird fees apply for applications received by August 9, 2024. To be eligible for the early bird discount, payment must be received within 35 days of the date of invoice.

​​​​Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Yes. The AWSS standard regarding caring for the environment reflects the belief that to be environmentally sustainable, on-farm practices must include regenerative environmental practices.

To meet the caring for the environment pillar, AWSS growers use regenerative practices known to nurture and restore soil health, protect water resources and biodiversity, and enhance their farms productivity, profitability, and resilience to climate change.

Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Gold (Scheme Codes = SWAU) can be offered with this code until June 30, 2025.
These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use. SustainaWOOL Gold is closed for new lots from July 15, 2024.

Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Green (Scheme Codes = SW) can be offered with this code until June 30, 2025.
These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use.

Wool currently in store certified as meeting SustainaWOOL Blue (previous Scheme Codes = SW plus NWD declared as AA or LN), will need to be offered with Scheme code = RE until June 30, 2025. These bales / lots are not required to meet new criteria of WoolClip and ePack use.

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.