Australian Pet Food Standards: How the System Actually Works

Australian Pet Food Standards: How the System Actually Works

Australian pet food standards are among the most layered in the world, but most pet owners have never had the system explained to them. As a Melbourne manufacturer operating inside it, here is how it actually works.

State level: processing licences

In Victoria, any facility processing meat or seafood is regulated by PrimeSafe, the state government authority. Other states have equivalents, such as Safe Food Production Queensland and the NSW Food Authority.

A PrimeSafe

licence is not a form you fill in once. It involves facility approval, documented processes and ongoing inspections. Our facility in Springvale holds a PrimeSafe licence, which means the Victorian Government has approved and continues to monitor how we handle animal derived products.

Food safety systems: HACCP

HACCP is the food safety management framework used in human food production worldwide. It requires identifying every point in the process where something could go wrong, then building documented controls and monitoring around each one.

Pet food manufacturers in Australia are not required to operate under HACCP. We choose to follow HACCP principles anyway, because it is the framework we would want in place if we were the customer. It is the difference between saying a facility is clean and being able to show the records that prove how it stays that way.

The Australian Standard: AS 5812:2023

Australia has a national standard specifically for pet food, AS 5812:2023, covering the manufacture and marketing of pet food. It sets out requirements for ingredient sourcing, processing, labelling and safety.

The standard is voluntary, not legally mandated. That is exactly why it matters. Following AS 5812:2023 is an ethical commitment that every pet industry professional can choose to make, and the ones who do are choosing accountability over the minimum. We believe it should be the baseline for anyone serious about this industry.

Federal level: export accreditation

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry accredits facilities that export animal products. DAFF accreditation covers traceability, hygiene, documentation and inspection requirements that sit above domestic minimums, because export product carries Australia's reputation with it.

Our facility is DAFF accredited under Est. 3596. We do not need this to sell in Australia. We maintain it because the export standard is a higher bar, and holding ourselves to it benefits every customer, local or overseas.

Industry level: PFIAA

The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia is the industry body for pet food manufacturing. Members commit to manufacturing in accordance with AS 5812:2023. We are a PFIAA member and believe a stronger, more accountable industry is good for everyone in it, especially the pets.

Why the layers matter

No single certificate tells the whole story. What matters is the combination. State licensing covers the facility. HACCP covers the process. AS 5812:2023 covers the industry standard. DAFF accreditation covers the export bar. Industry membership covers the commitment to keep improving.

We have been manufacturing in Melbourne for six years under this system. It is more paperwork, more inspections and more cost than the minimum requires. We think that is exactly the point.

If you ever want to know more about how our products are made, we are always happy to talk.

Primesafe 2026-2027