National Policy Framework
Federal legislation, national strategies, and Commonwealth-led frameworks that underpin organic waste management across all Australian jurisdictions.
National Waste Policy: Less Waste, More Resources (2018)
The overarching national strategy setting Australia's waste and resource recovery priorities to 2030, including organics diversion targets.
View document →National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019
The implementation plan for the National Waste Policy, including specific targets for organic waste diversion from landfill by 2030.
View document →Australia's National Food Waste Strategy — Halving Waste by 2030
Strategy targeting a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, with implications for FOGO collection programs and composting infrastructure planning.
View document →Avoided Waste — ACCU Methodology (Solid Waste Organic Waste)
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 →PFAS NEMP 3.0 — Managing PFAS Contamination
The national framework for managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Critical reading for any operator processing FOGO or biosolids streams.
View document →Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Cth)
The legislative basis for product stewardship schemes in Australia, including packaging and single-use plastics relevant to contamination in organic waste streams.
View legislation →Australian Standards
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.
AS 4454:2012 — Composts, Soil Conditioners and Mulches
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) →AS 4736:2006 — Biodegradable Plastics (Industrial Composting)
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) →AS 5810:2010 — Biodegradable Plastics (Home Composting)
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) →AS/NZS 4360 — Risk Management
The Australian and New Zealand risk management standard, applicable to operational risk assessment for composting facilities and waste management operations.
Search Standards Australia →Queensland
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.
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld)
The primary environmental legislation governing composting facility approvals, environmental authorities, and operational conditions in Queensland.
View legislation →Composting and Vermiculture — Environmental Authority Requirements
Guidance on environmental authority requirements for composting facilities in Queensland, including ERA 62 (composting) classification and conditions.
View guidance →Waste Levy — Queensland
Information on Queensland's waste levy, current rates, exemptions, and requirements for levy-liable waste generators and transporters.
View levy information →Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone — Composting Requirements
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 →GROW FOGO Fund
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 →Regional Resource Recovery Boost Fund (RRBF)
Capital funding for regional and remote councils to establish resource recovery infrastructure including composting facilities. Both current rounds closed February 2026. Monitor for the next round announcement — historically 12–18 month intervals between rounds.
View fund details →New South Wales
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.
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
The primary environmental legislation for NSW, governing environment protection licences for composting facilities and regulated activities.
View legislation →Composting and Organic Waste Processing — EPA Guidelines
EPA guidance on licensing, environmental controls, and best practice for composting facilities in NSW, including odour management requirements.
View guidance →Waste Levy — NSW
Current NSW waste levy rates, categories, and requirements. Metropolitan and regional rates differ significantly — relevant to processing location decisions.
View levy information →NSW FOGO Fund & Organics Infrastructure Funding
State funding programs supporting FOGO rollout and processing infrastructure for NSW councils. Includes both collection and processing capacity components.
View funding programs →NSW Plastics Plan & Organics Action
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
Victoria has 26 of 79 councils yet to fully onboard FOGO solutions. The Environment Protection Act 2017 modernised Victoria's regulatory framework significantly.
Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic)
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 Victoria — Composting and Organics Processing
EPA guidance on works approvals, licences, and compliance requirements for composting facilities and organics processing operations in Victoria.
View guidance →Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy
Victoria's strategy for recovering value from organic waste streams, setting targets and policy directions for FOGO processing and compost market development.
View strategy →Victorian Organics Funding Programs
Sustainability Victoria grant programs supporting councils and industry to develop organics collection and processing capability. Check for active rounds.
View funding →Other States & Territories
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.
Waste Authority WA — Organic Waste
Western Australia's waste authority guidance on organic waste management, FOGO programs, and composting requirements.
View guidance →Green Industries SA — Organics & Composting
South Australia's resource recovery body guidance on organic waste, composting standards, and state funding programs.
View guidance →EPA Tasmania — Waste Management Licensing
Tasmanian environment protection authority requirements for waste management facilities, including composting and organic waste processing.
View requirements →Industry Associations & Bodies
Peak bodies, certification schemes, and industry associations providing standards, advocacy, training and networking for the Australian organics recycling sector.
Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA)
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 →Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR)
The national peak body for the waste management and resource recovery sector. Policy advocacy, industry events, and regulatory updates.
Visit WMRR →Certified Sustainable — Compost Certification
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 →Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)
The peak body for Queensland local government. Annual conference, policy resources, and procurement guidance relevant to councils navigating FOGO obligations.
Visit LGAQ →Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
The national voice of local government in Australia. Federal policy advocacy and resources relevant to council waste management obligations.
Visit ALGA →Funding & Grant Programs
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.
SEQ City Deal Organics Processing Program
A jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiative providing $36 million (excl. GST) in competitive grant funding for CoMSEQ member councils to invest in new or upgraded organics processing infrastructure in South East Queensland.
- Stream 1 — Small Projects: Up to $2M per project ($12M pool). Suitable for smaller-scale infrastructure upgrades.
- Stream 2 — Major Projects: Over $2M per project ($24M pool). Large-scale organics processing solutions.
- Funding ratio: 1:1:1 — applicant must contribute a minimum of one third of eligible project costs.
- Eligible costs: Capital costs only — sorting/storage, decontamination, and processing infrastructure.
- Who can apply: CoMSEQ member councils (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba) as lead applicants. Public-private partnerships permitted.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 18 May 2026 |
| Applications close | 1 July 2026 |
| Successful projects announced | September 2026 |
| Projects must be complete | 31 March 2028 |
Apply — Stream 1 (SmartyGrants) → Apply — Stream 2 (SmartyGrants) → Full program details (Qld Govt) →
Recycling Modernisation Fund
Federal co-investment in infrastructure for sorting and processing a range of recyclable materials including organics. Check current program status.
View fund →Household Recycling Infrastructure Support Program (HRISP)
Federal funding to improve household waste and recycling systems including organics collection. Available to councils and state governments.
View program →GROW FOGO Fund (Queensland)
Queensland's primary grant program for FOGO infrastructure. Monitor opening dates closely — rounds are competitive and application windows are short.
View fund →Regional Resource Recovery Boost Fund (RRBF)
Capital funding for regional and remote Queensland councils. Well-suited to smaller councils with limited internal project delivery capacity. Both current rounds closed February 2026 — monitor for next round opening (typically 12–18 month intervals).
View fund →NSW Organics Infrastructure Fund
NSW funding for FOGO processing infrastructure. Part of the broader suite of programs supporting NSW councils' compliance with FOGO mandates.
View grants →