KEY wool service organisations, the Australian Wool Exchange and the Australian Wool Testing Authority, have committed to presenting a formal merger proposal to members later this year.

A joint statement from AWEX and AWTA yesterday said they had agreed to commence formal discussions to explore a potential merger of the two industry-owned organisations.

They said the decision reflects a shared commitment to exploring opportunities to streamline operations and strengthen industry services, with the goal of delivering greater value to industry participants.

“Both boards also recognise the potential to improve efficiency, integration, governance clarity and responsiveness to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

“Both boards have provided in principle support for the merger and will continue to undertake detailed work with the intention to provide a formal proposal to their respective members at upcoming AGMs,” the joint statement said.

Despite having the support of member organisations of AWEX and AWTA previous merger discussions that started in 2024 broke down in early 2025.

AWEX chair Andreas Clark said the recommencement of merger discussions comes at a time when the wool industry is facing ongoing pressures, increasing compliance expectations, and growing demand for integrity, traceability and efficient service delivery.

“AWEX and AWTA have a long history of supporting confidence in the quality, integrity and marketing of Australian wool through complementary commercial and industry-good services.

“Both boards have agreed to explore opportunities to better leverage these strengths through a more integrated operating model,” he said.

AWTA chair, Gordon Dickinson said AWTA and AWEX are closely aligned, industry‑owned organisations that have overlapping memberships.

“We both play critical roles in supporting confidence in the quality, integrity and efficient marketing of Australian wool through a mix of commercial and industry good services.

“We now need to demonstrate to our members that a merged entity can leverage these synergies to enhance value for the whole Australian wool industry,” he said.

The joint statement said a key focus of the discussions will be ensuring any future governance model appropriately represents the interests of all sectors of the Australian wool industry while examining how each organisation’s objectives and services could be strengthened within any future organisational structure.

The organisations said both boards acknowledge the importance of a transparent and consultative approach.

“As part of the process, detailed analysis will be undertaken by early October to assess governance models, service integration opportunities, staff and organisational structures, constitutional requirements, transition arrangements and the potential financial benefits of a merger.

“Any merger proposal would be subject to approval by the respective memberships of both organisations at the AWTA and AWEX Annual General Meetings on 15 October and 20 November respectively, in accordance with their constitutional requirements,” the bodies said.