Australian Food & Grocery Council

The Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) serves as the definitive voice and peak industry association for Australia's dynamic food, beverage, and grocery supply sector. Headquartered at Suite 803, Nishi Building, 2 Phillip Law Street, in the Griffith neighborhood of Canberra, ACT, the organization unites a fast-moving consumer goods industry of immense national significance. This sector contributes more than $172.7 billion to the Australian economy and employs over 294,212 people across the country, accounting for approximately 32.2% of all manufacturing in Australia. Since its founding in 1995, the AFGC has tirelessly championed the interests of manufacturers and suppliers, advocating for policies that sustain competitiveness, improve trading conditions, and support robust growth in both domestic and international markets.

The Council's overarching vision is to double the industry's value to nearly $250 billion by 2030. To achieve this, the AFGC works across multiple critical fronts, including supply chain resilience, retail relations, sustainability, nutrition and regulation, and overall sector competitiveness. The organisation is driven by core values of integrity, collaboration, and innovation, operating as an independent advocate that sources member views through working groups, high-level events, and constant communication with government at all levels, trading partners, and key stakeholders. By facilitating pre-competitive collective action and providing valuable insights, the AFGC empowers its members to navigate complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

Our Mission and Strategic Priorities

The AFGC's role is to be a progressive, influential, and sustainable organisation that proactively shapes the industry's agenda. The team, based in Canberra with members located throughout Australia, is dedicated to delivering valuable insights and building relationships with aligned organisations. Our strategic priorities provide a clear roadmap for achieving our ambitious 2030 goal.

• Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct: We are calling for a robust and enforceable Code to ensure fair and transparent dealings between suppliers and major retailers, fostering relationships built on high standards of conduct that benefit all parties.
• Leading the Packaging and Food Waste Agenda: The AFGC is at the forefront of environmental stewardship, guiding the industry towards a circular economy through effective packaging reforms and ambitious food waste reduction strategies.
• Influencing the Preventative Health Regulatory Agenda: We present credible industry evidence to government, ensuring that nutrition and health policies are practical, science-based, and support informed diet and lifestyle choices without imposing undue burdens on manufacturers.
• Enhancing Member Engagement: We are continuously improving our systems and processes for member recruitment and engagement, ensuring we capture the full breadth of industry views and deliver maximum value for a modest investment.

Comprehensive Advocacy and Industry Services

The AFGC's work encapsulates the entire ecosystem of the food and grocery supply chain. We do not simply react to change; we anticipate and direct it through focused advocacy and a suite of vital services designed to reduce costs, navigate regulations, and boost profitability for our members. Our core work areas are integral to sustaining and growing the sector.

• Supply Chain: Enhancing end-to-end supply chain resilience, efficiency, and sustainability is paramount. We address the availability of affordable, reliable, and high-quality manufacturing inputs, including raw materials, energy, and people, to enable sector modernisation and expansion.
• Retail Relations: We champion fair and productive relationships between suppliers and retailers. The AFGC actively monitors and advocates for high standards of conduct, ensuring business arrangements are equitable and support a healthy, competitive marketplace.
• Sustainability: Efficient management of environmental and social concerns is a key pillar. Our initiatives span climate change, ethical sourcing, circular economy transitions, and national food waste reduction targets, helping members meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
• Nutrition and Regulation: We promote health and wellness through product safety and informed lifestyle choices. The AFGC engages deeply with food regulation, labelling, and health claims to ensure a practical framework that fosters innovation while protecting consumers.
• Competitiveness and Trade: We advocate for a sector that offers a level playing field, with reduced trade distortions under a rules-based trading system. This includes driving investment for innovation and productivity, and ensuring robust competition law compliance.

Exclusive Member Benefits and Professional Development

Becoming a member of the AFGC is a strategic investment in a company's future. It is a unique opportunity to gain and share industry knowledge while being part of the collective conversation when we advocate on behalf of the entire food and grocery industry. Membership opens doors to a wealth of resources and networks that provide a tangible competitive edge.

Members enjoy exclusive access to a range of tailored benefits. These include member-only events and significant discounts for industry-wide summits like APEX: The Industry's Summit, where leaders advance the future of supply, sales, marketing, and sustainable practice. We provide exclusive guides and tools, along with regular updates and critical insights on current issues and regulatory changes. Special training rates are available, including tailored in-house programs, Competition Law Training, and the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Training. The organization also runs the prestigious Future Leaders Forum, a one-day development program designed to cultivate high-potential young leaders, alongside offerings from the Australian Grocery Academy and the High-Performing Leaders Program, ensuring a continuous pipeline of talent and expertise.

Unrivaled Industry Insights and Resources

In a sector marked by rapid change and global volatility, data-driven insight is non-negotiable. The AFGC delivers this through flagship publications and reports that benchmark the state of the industry. Our Sustaining Australia 2030 report lays out the strategic pathway to double the industry's value, while the annual State of the Industry report provides an authoritative economic snapshot. Reports like the recent analysis on long-term workforce resilience from Oxford Economics, and trackers on global supply chain impacts from Middle East conflicts, demonstrate our commitment to providing timely, actionable intelligence.

These resources help members gain insights into complex industry trends, understand regulatory shifts, and benchmark performance against peers. The AFGC also facilitates networks for sharing knowledge, connecting members across the industry to establish and maintain valuable relationships. Through partnerships with leading organizations like GS1 Australia, NielsenIQ, and CHEP, we further amplify the expertise and solutions available to our members, ensuring they are equipped for the future.

Our Canberra Headquarters and National Footprint

The AFGC's primary base of operations is strategically positioned in the national capital to maintain direct and influential dialogue with federal policymakers. Our office is located at Suite 803, Nishi Building, 2 Phillip Law Street, in the vibrant suburb of Griffith, ACT 2601. This central location places us at the heart of government, allowing for effective advocacy on the commercial, economic, regulatory, health, and environmental issues that matter most to our industry. For in-person visits or postal correspondence, this is the main point of contact.

However, our presence is truly national. In a modern hybrid working environment, our team members are located throughout Australia, ensuring we have a direct pulse on regional issues and can engage with member businesses across the country. This distributed model enables the AFGC to understand and represent the diverse landscape of Australian food and grocery manufacturing, from large multinationals to small and medium enterprises. We also maintain an alternative accessible location at Unit 5G/65 Canberra Ave in Griffith, further cementing our deep roots in the ACT and our commitment to being accessible to members and visitors alike.

Connect With Our Team and Operating Hours

Engaging with the AFGC is straightforward and strongly encouraged for any entity within the food, beverage, and grocery supply sector. Our team is dedicated to answering inquiries about membership, advocacy, events, and resources. The primary office phone number is +61 2 6273 1466. While we are a digitally-forward organisation, our traditional operating hours for the Canberra office, based on standard business practice, are typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, though the team is often working well beyond these hours to represent the industry.

For comprehensive information and the latest news—including federal budget analyses and alerts on sector strain—the official website, www.afgc.org.au, is the definitive resource. Here, you can access reports, register for events, and find out more about the benefits of membership. Professionals and businesses can also follow and engage with the AFGC on LinkedIn and YouTube to watch series like Sustaining Australia TV, which explores how the manufacturing landscape is evolving. The Council operates under ABN 23 068 732 883 and welcomes contact from current and prospective members looking to be part of the collective voice for growth.