Strengthening Trust In Australia’s Wine And Grape Sector
07 January 2026, AU: The Australian Government is demonstrating its commitment to strengthening fairness and transparency across Australia’s wine and grape sector, with its decision to introduce a new mandatory Code of Conduct for Wine Grape Purchases (the code).
The code will commence on 1 January 2027 and will establish a clear framework for how wine grapes are bought and sold. Across 2026, we will finalise the details of the code in consultation with winegrape growers and winemakers.
Once in place, the code will apply to large winemakers in their dealings with growers, setting clear expectations around good-faith negotiations and fair, reasonable conduct. By embedding minimum standards across the sector, the code will help level the playing field, support grower viability and provide greater confidence for investment and long-term planning.
This announcement follows the recommendations of Dr Craig Emerson’s independent review of the wine and grape sector, which highlighted the need for stronger safeguards amid ongoing global market pressures and volatility. The code responds directly to those findings, aiming to deliver more balanced and transparent trading arrangements. Our full response to Dr Emerson’s review is now available.
This reform represents an important step toward securing the future resilience and sustainability of Australia’s wine and grape industry, ensuring it remains strong, competitive and trusted at home and abroad.
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