Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Export
  4. Controlled export goods
  5. Exporting organic and bio-dynamic goods from Australia
  6. NSAC

Sidebar first - Export

  • Organic and biodynamic products
    • Step-by-step guide
    • Exporters
    • Organic operators
    • Approved certifying bodies
      • Organic approved certifying body applications
    • Organic notices
    • National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce
      • National Standard submissions register
    • The National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC)

National Standard Advisory Committee

 

National Standard Advisory Committee

The National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the principal technical committee for the department's National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce (the National Standard). The NSAC is a technical committee of individuals, acting independently of any organisation. The NSAC supports the department by delivering technical advice and recommendations on amendments, revisions, and updates to the National Standard.

The NSAC also assists the department in interpreting other international organic standards and regulations. NSAC members provide ad hoc advice to the department if within their area of expertise.

The NSAC is governed by a terms of reference.

The NSAC's experience includes:

  • Organic audit
  • Environmental management
  • Organic certification
  • Organic regulations
  • Dairy
  • Livestock
  • Livestock production
  • Horticulture
  • Organic supply
  • Consumer education
  • Meat marketing
  • Processing
  • Organic food formulations
  • International organic standards
  • Wine

In December 2022 the department appointed Ms Jo-Anne Harrison as the independent chair of the NSAC for a term of 4 years. Ms Harrison brings extensive experience in standards and governance including:

  • 15 years as the Chair of one of Standards Australia’s Technical Committees - Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (TC258 MB‐012).
  • lecturer at the Governance Institute of Australia on corporate governance, risk management, business continuity, reputational risk and project governance.
  • more than 15 years experience spanning multiple Chair and Director roles within Australian and multinational organisations.
  • Masters, Postgraduate and Graduate education in governance, finance, and project management.

The NSAC meets quarterly to review and make decisions on new applications to amend the National Standard and to discuss any questions submitted on the content of, or interpretation of, the National Standard.

The NSAC also leverages these meetings to discuss feedback from public consultations conducted through the department’s ‘Have Your Say’ website, and to provide recommendations on those amendment applications.

2025 NSAC quarterly meetings:

  • March
  • June
  • September
  • December

National Standard sectionCurrent status
1.13 – 1.22, 1.25, Appendix D 
Livestock standards
In progress
New section – algae standardsIn progress

Definitions review

  • Soil
  • Container growing
  • Landless production
  • Hydroponics
In progress
1.23 Bee ProductsIn queue
2 – 2.6 Transport and storage, preparation and packaging; Certified premises; Storage and transport; Preparation; Preservation; Use of additives and processing aids; PackagingIn queue
1.1 – 1.6 Farm; Conversion of land; Genetic modification; Landscape management and biodiversity; Soil management; Water managementIn queue
1.9 – 1.12 Harvest of plants from natural environments; Landless production systems; Mushroom, production; Sprouts and barley/wheat grass ProductionIn queue

Industry working groups

Industry working groups may be leveraged by the NSAC if specific technical topics or sections of the National Standard require review.

Working group member responsibilities include, reviewing specific topics or sections of the National Standard and providing feedback to the NSAC and the department, identifying areas for improvement, and working collaboratively with other experts within the working group. Review time frames are dependent on the complexity of change identified by a working group.

Working group member nominations are issued by department through existing communication channels and industry advice notices published on the department’s Organic Notices webpage. To ensure you receive these communications, subscribe to receive organic exports updates via the department's subscription service.

Working group member positions are voluntary roles, providing an opportunity to contribute to the development of the organic and bio-dynamic export industry in Australia. Becoming a member of an industry working group also provides the opportunity to expand your professional network and knowledge in a particular field.

This role precludes membership from:

  • any persons who are leaders of an organic organisation/certifier or key spokespersons for an organic organisation/certifier and/or
  • any persons opposed to the principles of organic agriculture

National Standard amendment applications

Any section of the National Standard is open for review. An application to amend the National Standard can be submitted via the Application to amend the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce webform.

If an amendment application received by the department is deemed applicable to the National Standard the application will be provided to the NSAC to review and provide their recommendation to the department.

Approved applications will then be shared with industry for consultation via the department's ‘Have Your Say’ website.

Responses from the Have Your Say will be collated and reviewed by the NSAC and department for final decision.

To submit your feedback on any open consultations or to subscribe to future public consultations, please visit the department's Have Your Say webpage.

The department maintains a register of all submitted applications.

National Standard questions

An online form is available to ask questions on the content of, or an interpretation of, the National Standard. Questions are provided to the NSAC for review.

The department maintains a register of submitted questions and answers

Further information

Contact the Organic Exports Program at OrganicExports@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

Downloads

National Standard Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference (PDF 393 KB)

National Standard Advisory Committee - Working Group Terms of Reference (PDF 189 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, email OrganicExports@aff.gov.au for assistance.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 13 February 2025

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram