Themes, Principles & Criteria.

The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) sets out a unified understanding of sustainability objectives through a standard set of Themes, Principles and Criteria. The Themes encompass environmental stewardship, wellbeing of people, animals and community, and bolstering economic resilience. By aligning sector-specific and supply chain terminology, the AASF fosters stakeholder coherence and enables better communication of industry-wide sustainability goals. Meeting the growing demand for evidence of sustainability credentials from both international and domestic markets, the AASF helps the Australian agriculture secure expand trade opportunities while maintaining its social license.

The AASF consists of 19 Principles that represent fundamental aspects of sustainable agriculture. These overarching Principles range from resource efficiency and biodiversity conservation to social responsibility and economic viability. They serve as the foundational values guiding the agricultural sector’s sustainable transition, and reflect priorities identified through collaboration with stakeholders; including farmers, industry bodies, environmental groups, and government agencies. 

These Principles, representing the desired outcomes for the industry, are underpinned by 52 Criteria, which outline the essential conditions that uphold each Principle. Notably, the AASF adopts a ‘continuum’ approach, treating all elements of the framework as part of a spectrum for comprehensive whole-of-industry sustainability reporting.

Environmental Stewardship Categories, Principles and Criteria

Greenhouse Gases
& Air

P1. Net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are limited to mitigate climate change

P2. Adverse impacts to air quality are avoided or minimised

C1. GHG emissions are reduced throughout production lifecycle

C2. Carbon emissions are sequestered wherever possible throughout production lifecycle

C3. Where necessary (if C1 & C2 are impractical), GHG emissions are offset throughout lifecycle by purchasing recognised credits or participating in recognised projects

C4. Plant, equipment and machinery are appropriately maintained and operated to maximise efficiency

C5. Activities which generate air pollutants are conducted within regulatory guidelines and minimised where possible

Soil & Landscapes

P3. Soil health and functionality are protected and enhanced

P4. Landscape degradation is avoided or minimised

C6. Soils are managed to provide ecosystem services, including sustainable agricultural production

C7. Land under productive agricultural management delivers beneficial ecosystem services

C8. Natural waterways are preserved and improved

Biodiversity

P5. Biodiverse ecological communities are protected and enhanced

C9. Farms support a diverse range of beneficial flora and fauna species

C10. Farm-related ecosystems are functioning and thriving

C11. Use of fertilisers and pesticides are optimised for agricultural production, human, animal and environmental health

Water

P6. Water resources are used responsibly and equitably

C12. Water is used efficiently in agricultural systems

C13. Adverse impacts to surface water and groundwater quality are prevented

Materials & Resources

P7. Finite resources are safeguarded in circular economic systems

C14. The use of inputs and resources that cannot be reused or recycled is minimised

C15. Renewable sources of inputs are prioritised

C16. Residues, by-products and waste are reused or recycled

C17. Food loss and waste are avoided or minimised at all stages of the agricultural supply chain

* ‘Anthropogenic’ meaning that which originates from human activity – e.g., emissions from farmed livestock are under human management

People, Animals & Community Categories, Principles and Criteria

Human Health, Safety & Wellbeing

P8. Agricultural outputs are safe and beneficial

P9. Safe working environments are provided for all people working in the industry

C18. Food and fibre is produced, packaged and distributed to world-leading standards of safety

C19. Food produced by agricultural activities is healthy and nutritional

C20. Industry participants practice good antimicrobial stewardship that optimises human, animal and environmental health

C21. Physical health and mental wellbeing are valued and actively supported

Livelihoods

P10. Fair access to a decent livelihood is provided for all people working in the industry

C22. Profitability and competitiveness are encouraged

C23. Participants are provided both a living wage and a rewarding, enriching work environment

C24. Participants are provided a living wage which meets workplace law requirements

C25: Participants are provided a rewarding, enriching work environment

Rights, Equity & Diversity

P11. Rights are respected and discrimination is not tolerated in an inclusive industry

C26. Human rights are unequivocally respected

C27. Workplace diversity is valued and actively supported

Animal Wellbeing

P12. Farmed animals are given the best care for whole of life

C28. Best practice on-farm husbandry is demonstrated

C29. Safe transportation of animals is demonstrated

C30. Humane end of life for farmed animals is ensured

Social Contribution

P13. Society benefits from the agricultural industry’s positive contribution

C31. Agricultural activities contribute to local community economic growth and social capital

C32. Indigenous cultures and knowledges are recognised, respected, valued and actively supported

C33. Community trust in the industry is upheld

 

Economic Resilience Categories, Principles and Criteria

Biosecurity & Resilience

P14. Biosecurity threats are assessed, mitigated and effectively managed in systems of continuous improvement

P15. Resilience is protected and enhanced by assessment, mitigation and management of risks

C34. Farms have systems in place to monitor risk, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts from biosecurity threats

C35. Industry participants have systems in place to monitor risk and prevent and mitigate adverse impacts from biosecurity threats

C36. Government has systems in place to monitor risk, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts from biosecurity threats

C37. Government and industry develop and extend overarching national scenario planning for industry risks

C38. Industry participants develop, implement and regularly review risk management plans

C39. Innovation and infrastructure are well-resourced and supported by government and industry, and can be equitably accessed by industry participants

C40. The workforce shift to more digital, automated and connected agricultural technologies is supported

C41. Systems are in place to monitor risk and prevent and mitigate adverse impacts from threats in the digital environment

C42. Risks and opportunities presented by climate change are monitored, and plans for adaptation and resilience are regularly assessed

Fair Trading

P16. Industry participants behave ethically and lawfully

P17. Supply chain accountability ensures a level playing field and the elimination of unconscionable conduct

C43. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is demonstrated

C44. Fair access to participate equally in markets is ensured

C45. Zero tolerance for bribery or corruption is demonstrated

C46. Product provenance information is readily available via robust traceability

C47. Information asymmetry in the supply chain is eliminated where perverse outcomes are a risk

C48. Sustainability accounting is harmonised to ensure fair and just assessments of baselines and progress across the industry



Profitable Enterprise

P18. The economic viability of agricultural businesses is protected and enhanced

C49. Agricultural businesses are profitable across varying operating conditions

C50. Competition and fair trade in agricultural markets are promoted to benefit consumers, businesses and the community

Energy Management

P19. Energy is used responsibly and efficiently in agricultural activities

C51. Use of renewable sources of energy is maximised wherever possible

C52. Energy efficiency is improved by optimising energy consumption and generation

The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework is funded by the Australian 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.

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Matt Lowe

Deputy Secretary

Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Matt Lowe is the Deputy Secretary for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group, responsible for the Agricultural Policy, Agvet Chemicals, Fisheries and Forestry, Sustainability, Climate and Strategy, and Farm Resilience divisions, as well as ABARES. Matt is also the Care and Ability inclusion champion.

Previously, he was the Chief Executive of Agriculture Victoria, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Matt has over 20 years of public sector experience. Prior to Agriculture Victoria, Matt held a number of senior roles at the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet across infrastructure, economic and social policy and with professional services firm EY.

Matt is a people focussed leader who wants to create the best environment for people to thrive. He believes that the best public policy happens when people genuinely collaborate and are open to the ideas of others.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) and Science, University of Melbourne.

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Carmel Onions

Executive Manager Agribusiness Sustainability

Commonwealth Bank

Carmel is dedicated to supporting CommBank’s agribusiness customers with the opportunities and risk management related to sustainability. She leads the development of solutions that support climate resilience and natural capital enhancement in agriculture. Her team’s achievements include the launch of Australia’s first Sustainability Linked Loan for agriculture and the CommBank Agri Green Loan. Strategic partnerships have been formed with Ruminati ag tech emissions measurement platform and sponsorship of research with Farming For The Future to reveal the quantified economic benefits of more trees and biodiversity in support of profitable farming production.

Carmel works closely with industry and farming customers to support transition to sustainable, productive systems, focused on the opportunities for farmers in sustainability strategies and plans, building knowledge and networks, and evolving opportunities in environmental markets. She is passionate about empowering producers with the tools and financial pathways to improve natural capital while building long-term resilience.

Through her work, Carmel is helping shape a future where sustainability and farm profitability go hand in hand.

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Dr. David Lemon

Principal Research Scientist

CSIRO

David is Principal Research Scientist for CSIRO and leads the Social and Strategic Design Team. David’s research interests focus broadly on the nature of data (especially geospatial data), and the ways in which society creates, manages, governs, and structures data and data supply chains for the purposes of sharing data. He designs and leads projects aimed at creating new systems for sharing information as well as systems for managing environmental information.

Over his career, David has worked across numerous domains including environment, agriculture, water, defence and transport and is regularly called upon as a trusted advisor with respect to the design of human systems for the purpose of sharing data across multiple organisations.

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Angela Schuster

Managing Director

Schuster Consulting Group

Angela is the Managing Director of Schuster Consulting Group and a member of the cross-functional team responsible for delivering projects under the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework. Angela is Chair of the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) and Standards Australia’s technical committee on data-driven agrifood systems and was previously the Australian representative for the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Strategic Advisory Group on Smart Farming.

In addition, Angela and her husband run a sheep, cattle and cropping enterprise just out of Dubbo in the Central West of NSW.  

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Katie McRobert

Executive Director

Australian Farm Institute

Katie is the Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute (AFI), joining AFI as Senior Researcher in late 2017 with extensive experience in policy research, editing, communications, and project management. Prior to joining AFI, Katie worked as a global Content and Community Manager for Rabobank, liaising with farming clients to build knowledge banks, and as the National Editor for FarmOnline. She has an MBA from Griffith University specialising in Sustainable Business, and competed in the 2020 Global Business Challenge finals. She has also participated in the inaugural NFF 2030 Leadership Program, is Chair of the CSIRO Drought Resilience Mission Advisory Group, and a member of the NSW Environmental Trust Biodiversity Technical Review Committee, the Australian Agricultural Traceability Governance Group, the CSIRO Agriculture & Food External Advisory Group and the NSW Farm Writers Committee. Katie is a lead author of the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework.
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Ian McConnel

Executive Manager, Agricultural Partnerships & Natural Capital

Bush Heritage Australia

Ian McConnel is the Executive Manager of Agriculture and Natural Capital at Bush Heritage Australia, where he leads the organisation’s engagement in nature-positive agriculture and efforts to value and integrate natural capital into land management and conservation practices.
 
A globally recognised leader in agricultural sustainability, Ian is the immediate past President of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB). Over 9 years on the GRSB board, he held several committee leadership roles and was instrumental in the development of the beef industry’s first global sustainability targets—a landmark achievement aimed at transforming the sector through measurable and collaborative progress.
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John Cotter

Managing Director & Chair

North West Phosphate

John Cotter is Managing Director and founding investor of North West Phosphate. With 20+ years’ experience delivering major infrastructure and resource projects, John brings deep regional insight and commercial expertise. A recognised leader in infrastructure planning and growing up on a cattle property west of Gympie, he is committed to driving investment and long-term jobs in regional Queensland.
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Dr. Lynne Macdonald

Research Scientist, Sustainable Agriculture

CSIRO

CSIRO scientist Lynne Macdonald blends soil sciences with farming systems approaches to support sustainable agriculture. She currently leads GRDC’s low-emissions initiative, and thrives on turning complex data into practical tools for farmers— never one to follow a set path, she tired of roadmaps.
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Elizabeth Rose

Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services

EY

Elizabeth is a Partner with EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services team based in Brisbane. Elizabeth has 20 years’ experience in sustainability and climate change, specialising in climate change risk, carbon accounting, decarbonisation and nature-based solutions, with a focus on the government, agriculture and resources sectors. Elizabeth has supported all levels of government with climate change policy design and implementation, and with industry in relation to responding to these requirements.
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Carli Davis

Co Founder & Chief Sustainability Officer

SEAOAK Consulting

Carli is a strategist with a background in regenerative agriculture and experience at PwC and R.M. Williams. Her work spans farm to fork, tackling challenges throughout the supply chain including traceability, soil health, biodiversity, regenerative systems and natural capital markets.
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Ebony Greaves

Co Founder & CEO

SEAOAK Consulting

Ebony is a former Deloitte senior leader and climate strategist who is passionate about working with the food and fibre industry to manage exposure to climate risk and implement sustainable solutions that create long-term value for business, people, planet and biodiversity.
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Hugh Killen

Managing Director & CEO

Impact Ag

Hugh Killen is a visionary leader, championing agriculture as a climate and nature solution. As Managing Director of Impact Ag Australia, Hugh is at the forefront of merging finance and farming, creating a blueprint for a world where agriculture is both profit-positive and nature-positive.
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Ian Layden

Director Vegetables, Systems and Supply Chains

Qld Department of Primary Industries

Ian is the Director Vegetables, Supply Chains & Market Access RD&E in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. With a background in soil science and extension, he has worked in horticulture systems since 2005 and has a keen interest in precision agriculture. This includes a number of technology focussed projects for the Australian vegetable industry, including lead of the 2023 and 2025 Gatton AgTech Showcase events.
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Janine Waller

Executive Director

Australian Dairy Products Federation

Janine Waller brings more than 25 years of extensive experience in the food industry, with a significant focus on the dairy sector.
 
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF), Janine represents the national industry peak body representing the post farm-gate members of the Australian dairy supply chain. This includes processors, traders and marketers of Australian dairy products.
 
In her role, Janine leads a dedicated team committed to advancing the dairy industry across rural and regional Australian.
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David Lamb

Chief Scientist

Food Agility CRC

David is a farmer and physicist who has worked in precision agriculture for 30 years. He is presently the Chief Scientist of Food Agility CRC which is focussed on transforming the agrifood sector using the power of data and digital. He also leads the AgTrace initiative in partnership with DAFF. Passionate about ‘reality-fuelled’ agtech innovation on farms, he has established two university smart farms and the Global Smart Farm Network.

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Courtney Bailey

Agriculture Sector Lead

Voconiq

Courtney leads agriculture research at Voconiq, and is a 2025 NFF Diversity in Agriculture Leadership program participant. She helps clients implement and embed trust-based strategies.

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Dr Kieren Moffat

CEO and Founder

Voconiq

Kieren is a social scientist and co-founder of Voconiq. He works globally to build community trust between industry, government and communities, helping sectors align sustainability efforts with public expectations.

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Andrew Skinner

Director

More Than Machines

Andrew is an accomplished technology leader with over 25 years experience delivering cutting-edge solutions across diverse industries, including media, utilities, defence, manufacturing, health, and agrifood.  He possesses extensive expertise in international agri-food technology ecosystems, and is a trusted advisor to industry organisations, supply chain entities, researchers, startups, and governments. Andrew founded the technology consultancy More Than Machines, where he assists agrifood organisations, startups, researchers, and governments in developing digital strategies, policies and technology solutions that leverage data and AI to optimise their land, production, markets, and products.  Previously, as Chief Data Officer at Meat and Livestock Australia, he developed and implemented the Australian Red Meat industry data strategy and digital supply chain research programs, demonstrably increasing productivity, product quality, and enabling new market opportunities through targeted digital technology implementation. 

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Anna Hooper

Director, Economic & Environmental Policy

Australian Grape & Wine Inc.

Anna is a wine industry professional since the late 90’s, working in vineyard management and winemaking both in Australia and overseas, and later as General Manager of a premium, sustainability focused, wine producer in South Australia. She has been a non-executive director on private and government boards in the fields of biosecurity, natural resource management and grape and wine business and currently sits on the board of Landcare Australia. Immediately prior to the formation of Australian Grape and Wine she gained experience in national advocacy as Chief Executive Officer of Australian Vignerons. Having worked across a broad range of roles, including practical hands-on industry experience, she is well placed in her role to promote the best interests of the sector on domestic policy issues relating to environmental and economic sustainability. She is leading the project on carbon emissions traceability that is the focus of the presentation. 

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Dr. Melindee Hastie

Research Fellow (Meat, Food & Sensory Science)

Agriculture Victoria

Melindee is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystems Science, where she focusses on the consumer defined opportunity for sustainable food production. Melindee has over 20 years’ experience in R&D leadership for academia and international FMCGs such as Cadbury, Kraft, and Mondelez. 

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Warwick Ragg

General Manager NRM

National Farmers Federation

Warwick is General Manager of Natural Resource Management with the National Farmers Federation, and Project Lead for the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework.

Warwick was raised on a farm in the NSW Southern Highlands and has almost 30 years experience in rural and regional advocacy. Prior to joining NFF Warwick had been working in the Commonwealth Government in stakeholder engagement roles and had previously spent a decade with NSW Farmers’ Association and a further decade as chief executive of Australian Forest Growers.

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Su McCluskey

Interim Chief Executive

National Farmers Federation

Su McCluskey was most recently Australia’s inaugural Special Representative for Australian Agriculture. With an increasing focus on more environmentally sustainable production, Su worked to promote and demonstrate Australia’s commitment to climate-smart sustainable agriculture, and counter prescriptive policy that could negatively impact Australian agriculture and global food security. She brought a depth of knowledge to this role, being a cattle producer herself, as well as a Director of LiveCorp, Crawford Fund and the Australasian Pork Research Institute, a member of the CSIRO Food and Agriculture Advisory Group and an ATSE Fellow. 

Su has held numerous senior level positions, including Director of Australian Unity, Commissioner for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Commissioner on the National COVID-19 Advisory Board, a member of the Charities Review, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute and the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations, and the Executive Director of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. Su has also held senior positions with the Business Council of Australia, the National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Taxation Office.

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Neil McSkimming

Senior Policy Officer, Export Development

Agriculture Victoria

Neil is a Senior Policy Officer providing advice on international market access, trade and capability building to grow the state’s agricultural industry. 

His career has a balance of government and private industry experience including eight years at Coles Supermarkets where he was Responsible Sourcing Manager transforming the animal welfare and sustainable production credentials for its own brand products. 

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David Jochinke

President

National Farmers Federation

David, commonly referred to as ‘DJ’, is a third generation dryland mixed farmer. DJ operates his family’s property at Murra Warra in the Wimmera, Victoria, producing various broadacre crops and finishing prime lambs. He has been heavily involved at all levels of farmer advocacy since finishing his Diploma of Applied Science (Ag Services) at Longerenong College. DJ was elected as President of the National Farmers’ Federation in October 2023 after serving as Vice President and Director for numerous years.

DJ is a past recipient of a Nuffield Australia Scholarship and Australian Rural Leadership Program and is an active contributor to his local community.

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