The fifth version of the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) has been launched today by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF).
The latest iteration of the Framework was unveiled at the Agricultural Sustainability Australia (ASA) Exchange 2025, on the Gold Coast.
“This updated Framework reinforces Australia’s national reference point for sustainability, helping agriculture speak with one voice in domestic and international discussions,” David Jochinke, NFF President, said.
“Revised principles and criteria, alongside a new look and feel, have freshened up the Framework, which is a national reference point for our industry.”
The ASA Exchange also marked the first step in discussions about the proposed Agricultural Sustainability Australia (ASA) Alliance.
The ASA Alliance is aimed at coordinating efforts across commodities and supply chains, reducing duplication, and strengthening Australia’s sustainability story in global markets.
“It’s vital that we maintain and improve our access to markets,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Supply chain challenges must be addressed in a structured and sensible way, and the vibrant conversations about the ASA Alliance signal our industry’s intent to keep building trust, consistency and credibility together.
“Telling a coherent national sustainability story is vital for market access, investment and community trust.”
More than 100 producers, industry leaders, researchers, investors and policymakers attended the Agricultural Sustainability Australia (ASA) Exchange 2025 today.
The Exchange opened with the NFF President welcoming participants, followed by an opening address from Matt Lowe, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Delegates heard from a diverse line-up of speakers covering international market access, carbon measurement, digital product passports, community trust, natural capital, sustainability credentials, and more.
Rapid-fire, “TED talk” style presentations showcased innovation and practical examples from across commodities and supply chains.
For more information, visit the AASF website.
About AASF
The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) is a national, industry-led initiative that provides a common language to describe sustainability in Australian agriculture. It is a joint initiative led by the National Farmers’ Federation and supported by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The AASF translates commodity-specific goals into common principles aligned with global frameworks and standards, providing international markets and trade partners with confidence in Australia’s agricultural sustainability credentials. It builds on existing commodity-specific frameworks and schemes, offering a clear, consistent and credible mechanism for communicating Australia’s agricultural sustainability story – domestically and internationally.
About the ASA Alliance
The AASF laid the foundation for Australia’s unified sustainability story. The Agricultural Sustainability Australia (ASA) Alliance is the proposed next step: a coordinating mechanism to connect and amplify sustainability efforts across agriculture. The ASA Alliance aims to make sustainability simpler and stronger across all of Australian agriculture. It would foster collaboration by connecting programs, data and people across industry, supply chains and government. It would bring clarity through one national language of principles, criteria and indicators. It would improve efficiency by reducing reporting duplication and burden. It would help ensure credibility in Australian agriculture by safeguarding that claims remain evidence-based, verifiable and trusted by markets and policymakers.
Ashleigh Whittaker
Stacey Davidson