A curated directory of national, state and industry documents that set the compliance and regulatory framework for Australian organic waste processors, councils, and composting facility operators. Maintained as a free service to the industry.
Disclaimer: The documents and links on this page are provided as a convenience to industry practitioners and are drawn from publicly available government, standards, and industry association sources. Radicle Compost makes no representation as to the currency, completeness, or accuracy of the linked materials. Regulatory requirements change frequently — always verify current requirements directly with the relevant authority before making compliance decisions. This page does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.
Federal legislation, national strategies, and Commonwealth-led frameworks that underpin organic waste management across all Australian jurisdictions.
The overarching national strategy setting Australia's waste and resource recovery priorities to 2030, including organics diversion targets.
View document →The implementation plan for the National Waste Policy, including specific targets for organic waste diversion from landfill by 2030.
View document →Strategy targeting a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, with implications for FOGO collection programs and composting infrastructure planning.
View document →The framework for generating Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) through organic waste diversion from landfill. Relevant to councils and operators seeking to monetise emissions reductions.
View document →The national framework for managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Critical reading for any operator processing FOGO or biosolids streams.
View document →The legislative basis for product stewardship schemes in Australia, including packaging and single-use plastics relevant to contamination in organic waste streams.
View legislation →Standards Australia publications that define product quality, testing protocols, and certification requirements for composts and compost-derived products. Most standards require purchase from Standards Australia.
The principal quality standard for composts sold in Australia. Defines testing requirements, permissible contaminant levels (including 0.05% flexible plastics by weight), and labelling requirements. Essential for any operator selling or supplying compost product.
View standard (purchase required) →Defines requirements for plastics and products to be labelled as suitable for industrial composting environments. Critical to understanding which packaging claims are legitimate and which are not.
View standard (purchase required) →Requirements for plastics and products suitable for home composting environments. Distinct from AS 4736 — products compliant with one standard are not necessarily compliant with the other.
View standard (purchase required) →The Australian and New Zealand risk management standard, applicable to operational risk assessment for composting facilities and waste management operations.
Search Standards Australia →Queensland represents the most active grant funding environment in Australia for organics recycling, with 67 councils yet to implement FOGO solutions and over $281M in active funding. Key environmental, planning, and biosecurity requirements apply.
The primary environmental legislation governing composting facility approvals, environmental authorities, and operational conditions in Queensland.
View legislation →Guidance on environmental authority requirements for composting facilities in Queensland, including ERA 62 (composting) classification and conditions.
View guidance →Information on Queensland's waste levy, current rates, exemptions, and requirements for levy-liable waste generators and transporters.
View levy information →Mandatory turning frequency requirements (every 21 days) and treatment conditions for composting operations within Queensland's fire ant biosecurity zone. Critical for facilities in SEQ.
View requirements →Queensland grant funding supporting councils to establish or expand Food Organics and Garden Organics collection and processing capability. Monitor for round openings.
View fund details →Capital funding for regional and remote councils to establish resource recovery infrastructure including composting facilities. Active rounds — check current status.
View fund details →NSW has 128 councils under FOGO mandates with significant state funding available. The Protection of the Environment Operations Act and EPA guidelines govern facility approvals and operations.
The primary environmental legislation for NSW, governing environment protection licences for composting facilities and regulated activities.
View legislation →EPA guidance on licensing, environmental controls, and best practice for composting facilities in NSW, including odour management requirements.
View guidance →Current NSW waste levy rates, categories, and requirements. Metropolitan and regional rates differ significantly — relevant to processing location decisions.
View levy information →State funding programs supporting FOGO rollout and processing infrastructure for NSW councils. Includes both collection and processing capacity components.
View funding programs →NSW's strategy for managing plastics in the waste stream, including implications for soft plastic contamination in FOGO streams and compost product quality.
View plan →Victoria has 26 of 79 councils yet to fully onboard FOGO solutions. The Environment Protection Act 2017 modernised Victoria's regulatory framework significantly.
Victoria's modernised environment protection legislation, which introduced a general environmental duty and updated permit requirements for composting and waste management facilities.
View legislation →EPA guidance on works approvals, licences, and compliance requirements for composting facilities and organics processing operations in Victoria.
View guidance →Victoria's strategy for recovering value from organic waste streams, setting targets and policy directions for FOGO processing and compost market development.
View strategy →Sustainability Victoria grant programs supporting councils and industry to develop organics collection and processing capability. Check for active rounds.
View funding →Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania are tracking behind eastern states in FOGO mandates but are under increasing federal pressure. Key regulatory bodies and resources are listed below.
Western Australia's waste authority guidance on organic waste management, FOGO programs, and composting requirements.
View guidance →South Australia's resource recovery body guidance on organic waste, composting standards, and state funding programs.
View guidance →Tasmanian environment protection authority requirements for waste management facilities, including composting and organic waste processing.
View requirements →Peak bodies, certification schemes, and industry associations providing standards, advocacy, training and networking for the Australian organics recycling sector.
The peak national body for the organics recycling industry in Australia. Advocacy, events, industry data, and member resources. Martin Tower has served as a non-executive director of AORA.
Visit AORA →The national peak body for the waste management and resource recovery sector. Policy advocacy, industry events, and regulatory updates.
Visit WMRR →The Australian certification body delivering world-class sustainability standards for the organics recycling industry. Martin Tower is currently Chair of Certified Sustainable Limited.
Visit Certified Sustainable →The peak body for Queensland local government. Annual conference, policy resources, and procurement guidance relevant to councils navigating FOGO obligations.
Visit LGAQ →The national voice of local government in Australia. Federal policy advocacy and resources relevant to council waste management obligations.
Visit ALGA →A summary of active and recurring grant programs relevant to composting infrastructure. Grant rounds open and close with limited notice — councils and operators with a concept proposal in place are far better positioned to apply quickly.
Federal co-investment in infrastructure for sorting and processing a range of recyclable materials including organics. Check current program status.
View fund →Federal funding to improve household waste and recycling systems including organics collection. Available to councils and state governments.
View program →Queensland's primary grant program for FOGO infrastructure. Monitor opening dates closely — rounds are competitive and application windows are short.
View fund →Capital funding for regional and remote Queensland councils. Well-suited to smaller councils with limited internal project delivery capacity.
View fund →NSW funding for FOGO processing infrastructure. Part of the broader suite of programs supporting NSW councils' compliance with FOGO mandates.
View grants →Radicle Compost provides grant application support as part of our advisory services. We help you prepare the concept proposal and feasibility documentation that funding bodies require — and we monitor round openings so you're ready to move quickly.
Talk to us about grant readiness →