Country of origin food labels in Australia: what they mean and how they affect price

Why country of origin labelling matters for shoppers

Since 2018, Australian food manufacturers have been required to display a standard country of origin label on most packaged food sold in Australia. The label uses a bar chart showing the proportion of Australian ingredients alongside a text description. Understanding what these labels actually say helps shoppers make informed decisions — both about supporting local producers and about value.

This guide covers what the labels mean. For import regulations or food safety matters, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) are the authoritative sources.

The difference between "Product of Australia" and "Made in Australia"

These two phrases sound similar but mean different things under Australian law.

Product of Australia means the food was grown or produced in Australia and all significant ingredients are of Australian origin. This is the strongest local-origin claim — for example, Australian-grown tomatoes processed into canned tomatoes in Australia.

Made in Australia means the food was manufactured or significantly transformed in Australia, but the ingredients may be sourced from overseas. A product "Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients" could contain a small proportion of Australian ingredients and still carry this label legally.

The bar chart on the label gives a clearer picture — it shows the actual percentage of Australian ingredients by weight, which is more informative than the text description alone.

Does Australian-grown produce cost more?

Not always. For many commodity items — canned tomatoes, flour, oats, dairy — Australian production is competitive with imported alternatives, and both may appear on the same shelf at similar prices.

Where Australian origin typically commands a premium is in fresh produce with a short supply chain, specialty grains, or categories where domestic production is limited. Imported versions of some products — olive oil, chocolate, certain processed foods — are sometimes cheaper because labour or input costs in the source country are lower.

When origin matters most to shoppers

Some households prioritise Australian origin for reasons beyond price — supporting local farmers, reducing food miles, or specific quality preferences for fresh produce. These are legitimate reasons to pay attention to the label.

For budget-focused shopping, the label is one input among several. A Product of Australia olive oil may cost more than an imported equivalent; whether the difference is worth it depends on your priorities and budget.

How this interacts with price comparison

Origin labelling applies to packaged goods, which are also the easiest category to compare across chains. When you are deciding between two similar products at different prices, checking the country of origin label alongside the unit price gives a more complete picture. Run a search on TrolleyChecker to compare packaged goods across retailers before a restock.