Food is essential to life and central to Australia’s culture and the economy. Australians participate in the food system as producers, processors, sellers, and consumers.
Australia has a global reputation as a producer of safe, nutritious and high‑quality food. A recent ABARES report indicates we export about 70% of our agricultural production, contributing to global food security.
Australia is a food secure nation, with a robust food system, underpinned by strong food safety and biosecurity measures. It nourishes our own population and meets the needs of international trade partners.
While Australia has a productive and resilient food system, we cannot become complacent. Our food system will continue to face a range of challenges, including but not limited to:
- climate change
- economic shocks
- biosecurity threats
- geopolitical factors
- supply chain disruptions.
Australia must ensure that it has the right settings in place to maintain its role as a consistent provider of safe, quality and nutritious food in an evolving global environment.
National Food Security Strategy
The Australian Government has committed $3.5 million to develop Feeding Australia: A National Food Security Strategy. The strategy will be developed with farmers and fishers, industry and the community. It aims to boost the productivity, resilience and security of our food system.
National Food Council
A National Food Council (the council) has been established to advise on the development of the strategy. Further details on the council members, Terms of Reference and meetings can be found on the National Food Council page.
Governance
In addition to the public stakeholder consultation planned for 2026 and the council, development of the National Food Security Strategy will also be informed by a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry internal reference group, and an interdepartmental committee, comprising members from across 20 different federal departments and agencies.
Get involved
We sought feedback from people about the development of the National Food Security Strategy through a discussion paper and Have your Say process in 2025.
The discussion paper and submissions are available on Have your say.
Opportunities for further consultation and input will be announced soon.