A 50,000t wheat cargo bound for South Africa loads at GrainCorp’s Carrington terminal in Newcastle in August 2025. Photo: GrainCorp

THE FEDERAL Government has released its response to the 2024 sunsetting review and an exposure draft of the streamlined Wheat Port Code for consultation.

The 2024 sunsetting review found the current code was no longer fit for purpose and recommended industry move to a self-regulatory model.

In a statement released July 2, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the government has accepted the findings of the review.

 “The review found the current Wheat Port Code is no longer fit for purpose, and the government has accepted that finding,” Ms Collins said.

To provide certainty during the transition to self-regulation, she said the government will remake the Wheat Port Code in a streamlined form to remain in place for three years.

She said this will ensure appropriate regulatory oversight remains in place while industry develops an effective self-regulatory framework.

“By streamlining the code for three years, we’re providing certainty for industry while giving it the time needed to develop an effective self-regulatory model.

“Reducing unnecessary regulation while maintaining appropriate transparency will help strengthen competition and support Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality wheat to markets around the world.”

Ms Collins said Australia’s wheat industry is one of the nation’s most significant agricultural export sectors with a forecast value of approximately $10 billion in 2025-26.

“The Albanese Labor Government has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for our farmers and producers to export our world-class products on the international stage.

“Australia’s wheat industry is a major contributor to our economy and regional communities across the country, so it’s important we have a framework that supports a modern, competitive export market.”

Streamlined code

Following deregulation of Australia’s wheat exports, the Wheat Port Code was introduced in 2014  to ensure those who did not own export terminals had access to them.

Since then, new terminals and mobile shiploaders have broadened options for those who do not own export terminals to get vessels loaded.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry launched a second review into the regulation in October 2023, and the first round of consultations closed in February 2024.

As the body representing Australia’s grain export industry, Grain Trade Australia has long called for the Wheat Port Code to be removed and replaced by a voluntary instrument.

This view contrasted with some state farming organisations, including NSW Farmers, which has backed expanding and strengthening the Wheat Port Code rather than allowing it to be phased out.

The overall findings of DAFF’s second review were that Parts 3-6 of the code were least fit for purpose.

It found that this part of the code “may be acting as a barrier” for new port terminal service providers (PTSP) entering the market.

The review found that the outcomes achieved by Part 2, namely, “[o]bligation to deal in good faith” and for the PTSPs “to publish and make available loading statement”, would be positive for the wheat industry.

The proposed streamlined Wheat Port Code, to come into effect from October 1, keeps Part 2 of the existing instrument and removes Parts 3-6 as per DAFF recommendations.

Consultation closes July 24

The government has sought stakeholder feedback on an exposure draft through DAFF’s Have Your Say platform, with consultation to remain open for three weeks.

It said feedback received through consultation will help ensure the streamlined code continues to support transparency, competition and the efficient operation of Australia’s wheat export market.

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