IN an industry that is part of the very fabric of Australian identity, wool production has a proud legacy of quality, resilience, and integrity.

Today, the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme builds on this, offering a sustainability certification designed for Australian wool producers.

AWSS embodies a strong commitment to sustainability, tailored to Australia’s distinct environment, regulatory standards, and production expertise. It seamlessly addresses customer needs for integrity and efficiency by harnessing the full traceability power of WoolClip and eBale technologies, setting a new benchmark for transparency in the Australian wool industry.

For wool growers, aligning with AWSS means joining a standard that celebrates what makes Australian wool the best in the world: a long history and deep expertise in sheep production and sheep genetics, quality clip preparation, and the best practices of caring for our sheep, caring for our land and productivity that define our industry.

Here’s how AWSS upholds the integrity of Australian wool while equipping growers and selling agents to succeed sustainably, now and into the future.

Built for Australian conditions

Australia’s wool industry operates within rigorous regulatory frameworks, focused on environmental management, animal welfare, biosecurity, and care and prosperity of people.  AWSS builds on these standards, creating a certification that’s practical, achievable, and specifically suited to Australian wool growers.

AWSS accounts for Australia’s diverse landscapes, climate, production systems, and regulations. By respecting the unique demands faced by Australian wool growers, AWSS ensures that our wool remains globally competitive while staying true to its origins.

Excellence in clip preparation: A hallmark of Australian wool

Australia’s reputation for high-quality wool begins with the grower and ends with careful clip preparation. AWSS recognises that wool preparation isn’t just technical – it’s a point of pride and how we meet market demands efficiently while minimising waste.

For wool supply chain participants, this focus on quality means AWSS-certified clips are a mark of consistency and integrity. AWSS provides the market with the assurance that the wool they receive has been prepared to the highest standards. By emphasising excellence in clip preparation, AWSS strengthens the Australian wool brand and the value of certified wool on the international market.

Innovation with WoolClip and eBale: Pioneering efficiency and traceability

AWSS embraces Australian ingenuity through  digital tools WoolClip and eBale, bringing efficiency, accuracy, and traceability to wool production. These tools simplify record-keeping, streamline logistics, and enable full traceability from farm to first stage processor.

WoolClip empowers growers and classers with a real-time digital tool for capturing wool clip data, reducing paperwork and errors. When combined with eBale, it enables each bale to be tracked from preparation through to first stage processing, ensuring every wool clip is fully documented.

eBale takes traceability further. With each bale given a unique code, selling agents can provide buyers with verified information about every bale’s provenance and credentials. In a world where consumers and regulators increasingly demand transparency around the origins of their goods, digital traceability adds significant value.

By using WoolClip and eBale, AWSS-certified wool becomes not just a product of quality, but a product of trust, supporting Australian wool to stay ahead in a market moving toward sustainable, traceable supply chains.

Sustainability certification that reflects Australia’s best practices

The AWSS builds on Australia’s high standards in wool production, taking a practical approach to sustainability certification by integrating Australia’s existing best practices in land care, animal wellbeing, and care for people, community and industry into its Standards.

The AWSS Standard honours the hard work growers already put into meeting Australia’s regulatory requirements, adding a certification framework that’s straightforward and meaningful. By certifying their wool with AWSS, growers don’t need to overhaul operations; they simply validate the practices they already follow. This approach keeps sustainability accessible, letting growers participate without unnecessary complexity or costs.

The AWSS Standard’s sustainability pillars are aligned to Australia’s Sheep Sustainability Framework, allowing growers to demonstrate, at a PIC level, their contribution to the Australian wool industry’s sustainability agenda.

AWSS Sustainability Pillars

Two certification options: inclusive choices for diverse needs

AWSS offers two certifications to suit the diverse needs of Australian wool growers and meet evolving market expectations. Requirements for both certifications are identical, except for mulesing status.

Together, these certifications provide an inclusive framework for the wool community, allowing sustainability-focused growers to choose the certification that reflects their practices, while offering brands the choice, quality, and traceability they require.

A point of difference: ResponsiWOOL

ResponsiWOOL is designed specifically for the more than 40% of Australian wool growers who include mulesing with appropriate pain relief as part of their flystrike management strategy. Unlike many sustainability standards, ResponsiWOOL recognises that whole-of-life animal wellbeing goes beyond the practice of mulesing and respects the commitment wool growers make to animal wellbeing by using pain relief products.

Information to meet future needs

AWSS-certified growers will gain access to valuable market insights and feedback from global brands, offering a unique perspective on the emerging demands and needs of certified supply chains, the potential value of transitioning to a non-mulesed enterprise, and emerging sustainability metrics. AWSS can offer support, resources, and connections to help enable growers to make informed, sustainable decisions that benefit both their business and the wider industry.

Why AWSS certification matters for growers and selling agents

As the demand for sustainable goods grows, certification is key to market access. AWSS certification provides tangible advantages for both wool growers and selling agents:

• For Wool Growers: AWSS certification recognises the investment from wool growers in producing sustainably certified wool, giving them access to premium markets that value transparency and responsibility. The Standard allows growers to reflect and verify their practices against sustainability requirements using technologies to simplify compliance and boost efficiency.
• For Selling Agents: AWSS certification is a quality and sustainability mark, helping meet the demands of wool buyers. AWSS-certified wool means Selling Agents can confidently market a product that’s well-prepared and responsibly produced. AWSS also supports selling agents with their efficiencies, lowering administrative burdens and improving accuracy through the use of eBales and WoolClip.

AWSS: Australia’s answer to a changing and challenging market

AWSS is Australia’s response to the growing demand for sustainable, traceable wool. Built on principles that uphold the quality and character of Australian wool, AWSS certification offers wool growers and selling agents the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through a Standard created that acknowledges Australia’s unique wool growing environment.

By choosing AWSS, you choose a scheme that understands Australian wool production, respects our high regulatory and production standards, embraces innovation, and celebrates quality clip preparation. As markets evolve, AWSS certification supports a future where Australian wool stands out, trusted by brands and buyers globally.

AWSS empowers growers and wool selling agents to carry forward the proud legacy of Australian wool, ensuring it remains a benchmark of quality, integrity, and innovation.

Join AWSS today.