The History

The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) stands as a landmark initiative that emerged in 2020, fuelled by collective efforts from diverse stakeholders in the agricultural industry.

Spearheaded by the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and funded through a grant under the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Stewardship Scheme, the AASF aims to address the challenges faced by primary producers in participating in various sustainability-related programs.

During the discovery phase, stakeholder feedback highlighted the complexity, cost and difficulty that primary producers encounter when engaging with multiple biodiversity initiatives. To tackle these barriers, an extensive consultation and research process was undertaken, involving representatives from supply chain partners, primary producers, government bodies, financiers and industry organisations.

The outcome of this collaborative research revealed that biodiversity was only a fragment of a larger issue confronting Australian agriculture. Thus, a more viable approach involved developing a comprehensive sustainability framework that could connect existing and emerging programs, providing a unified voice for the entire agricultural sector. And so, the proposal for the AASF was born.

Throughout 2021 to 2023, six delivery partners collaborated with the NFF to advance the development of this pioneering whole-of-Australian agriculture framework.

The NFF continues to lead the ongoing development and testing of the AASF, joined by project delivery partners: the Australian Farm Institute (AFI), CSIRO, KPMG, Schuster Consulting Group and ERM (Environmental Resources Management Australia).

Industry engagement remains at the forefront of this process, with efforts to align the AASF with existing domestic sustainability initiatives and further validate its value proposition.

2020

Discovering: Foundation research proposes AASF

Recognising On-Farm Biodiversity Management Report produced by AFI
AFI conducts research and prepares report that demonstrates that a whole-of-industry sustainability framework would overcome many challenges facing the industry and primary producers.
2021-2022

Developing: Six delivery partners progress the development of the AASF led by NFF

Framework design – AFI
Three iterations of AASF were developed and tested with stakeholders. Each iteration refined alignment and language between AASF, international initiatives and domestic commodity initiatives. Initial work to explore how AASF might operate and be governed for the long term was also undertaken.

Financial Incentives and Accounting Systems – KPMG
The study investigated the AASF’s role in promoting sustainable supply chains and analysed the factors driving the changing ESG landscape and the introduction of sustainability-linked incentives. This project highlighted how the AASF could serve as a bridging mechanism to assist companies in disclosing their ESG performance.

Data Needs Analysis – CSIRO
Eleven sustainability initiative owners were interviewed to comprehend their current data sources and requirements. Additionally, an assessment was made of national data sets related to 15 AASF criteria, offering initial guidance on the available information that could facilitate reporting in alignment with AASF.

Industry Benchmarking – Schuster Consulting Group
The alignment and discrepancies between the AASF and fifteen sustainability, biodiversity and natural capital initiatives were identified through mapping efforts. Based on the results, the design of the AASF was enhanced and a network of organisations was formed, giving rise to the AASF Community of Practice.

Producer Sustainability Survey Interviews – KG2
A survey was conducted with 600 farmers from various regions in Australia, revealing their significant awareness of and engagement in sustainable practices but that there was inconsistency and confusion among them regarding the precise definition of sustainable practices.

Legal and Policy Analysis – Aither
An initial evaluation of legal, tax and policy barriers, as well as an analysis of proposed legislative changes, was conducted to assess their impact on Australian taxation as a potential hindrance to the adoption of sustainability payments.
2023

Building Operationalising: Continuation of the development of the AASF
2024

What’s next?

AASF

Sustainability

Legal

The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework is funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry through the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program. Project delivery is led by the National Farmers' Federation. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. © The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework. Copyright of National Farmers Federation.