Loading wheat at CBH Group’s Kwinana terminal in WA. File photo: CBH Group

THE FEDERAL Government has announced that a streamlined Wheat Port Code will take effect from October 1.

The new code was developed in response to the sunsetting review of the Wheat Port Code, which recommended an industry transition to self-regulation, and the government has accepted its findings.

The remade code will remain in place for three years, with the aim of ensuring Australia continues to “support a modern, competitive export market for all Australians”.

It focuses on good faith and transparency obligations relating to the operation of port terminal facilities through timely publication of port-loading statements and protocols, and standard terms and reference prices.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the remade Wheat Port Code will provide the appropriate regulatory settings to support a productive, profitable and sustainable wheat export industry.

“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,” Ms Collins said.

“By remaking and 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.”

Review background

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 load vessels.

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.

Parts 3 to 6 of the Wheat Port Code cover a range of obligations, including:

• non-discrimination, no hindering and dispute resolution;
• capacity allocation and port-loading protocols;
• publication of capacity, performance indicators and other information; and,
• record-keeping.

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 streamlined Wheat Port Code keeps Part 2 of the existing instrument and removes Parts 3-6 as per DAFF recommendations.

Australia’s wheat industry is a major contributor to agricultural exports, economy and regional communities with a forecast value of approximately $8.9 billion in 2026-27.

Australia is one of the world’s largest wheat exports, and shipped 23.5 million tonnes in the year to September 2025.