How to Find Organic Producers in Australia
In Australia the word organic is not legally protected for domestic sale, so anyone can use it. Only Certified Organic carries an audit. How to tell the difference, and who to check with.
In Australia the word "organic" is not legally protected for produce sold domestically, unlike the United States, Japan and China, where the term is regulated. Anyone here can describe produce as organic without holding any certification. "Certified Organic" is the phrase that carries weight, because it means an approved third party has audited the operation against the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.
How to check whether a producer is actually certified
Ask which body certifies them and for their certificate number, then check it against that body's own register. Every approved certifier publishes one. A grower who is certified will tell you without hesitating, because the audit costs them money every year and they have every reason to say so.
If a stall or a farm gate says organic and cannot name a certifier, that is not proof of anything either way. Plenty of small growers farm without synthetic inputs and never certify, because certification is expensive and aimed at wholesale and export. It does mean the claim is unaudited, and you are trusting the person in front of you rather than a system.
The certifiers the federal agriculture department approves
ACO Certification Ltd (ACO), https://aco.net.au
Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI), https://demeter.org.au
Organic Food Chain (OFC), https://organicfoodchain.com.au
Southern Cross Certified Australia (SXC), https://sxcertified.com.au
These are the bodies listed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as approved certifying bodies. Older articles often name NASAA as well; it is not on the department's current list.
What PaddockMap can and cannot tell you
33 listings on PaddockMap describe themselves as organic somewhere in their own name or description, across 7 states and territories. 8 of those use the phrase "certified organic".
We have not verified any of it. PaddockMap records what a business says about itself and checks that the business exists and is trading, not what it is certified to do. Treat the list below as a starting point for a question you then ask the grower, and check the certifier's register rather than taking our word or theirs.
Sources
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, organic approved certifying bodies
- ACO Certification Ltd
- Bio-Dynamic Research Institute
- Organic Food Chain
- Southern Cross Certified Australia
Last updated 2026-09-06.
Listings that describe themselves as organic (33, unverified)
- Belmondos Organic Market, Noosaville
- Crystal Organics, Yandina
- Hinterland Feijoas, Belli Park
- K2 Organic Beef, Kandanga
- Manly Food Co-op, Manly
- Marrickville Organic Food & Farmers Market, Marrickville
- Northey Street Organic Farmers Market, Windsor
- Paris Creek Farms, Meadows
- Baranbali Organic Farm, Maleny
- Broadmeadow Farmers Market, Broadmeadow
- Butchers of Noosa, Sunrise Beach
- Byron Farmers Market, Byron Bay
- CERES Fair Food, Brunswick East
- CERES Organic Grocery, Brunswick East
- Cooroy Wholefood Co-op, Cooroy
- Eumundi Meats, Noosaville
- Fresh Box, Palmview
- FreshFruitFast, Sunshine Coast
- Good Harvest, Coolum Beach
- Kalamunda Farmers Market, Kalamunda
- Kookaburra Organics, Maleny
- Maleny Sunday Market, Maleny
- Montville Coffee, Montville
- Nambour Town Square Market, Nambour
- Peak Organics, Peak Crossing
- Perth City Farm, East Perth
- Randwick Community Organic Garden, Randwick
- Sandy Creek Organic Farm, Beerwah
- Sunshine Coast Organic Meats, Forest Glen
- The Food Co-op Canberra, Acton
- West End Markets (Davies Park Market), West End
- Willie Smith's Apple Shed, Grove
- Witta Market, Witta
Frequently asked questions
How do I find organic food producers in my area?
Search your suburb on paddockmap.com.au and ask the growers you find which body certifies them. In Australia the word organic is not legally protected for domestic sale, so the useful question is not whether a producer says organic but whether they are Certified Organic and by whom. The federal agriculture department approves the certifiers, and each one publishes a public register you can check.
Is the word organic regulated in Australia?
Not for produce sold domestically. Unlike the United States, Japan and China, Australian law does not reserve the word organic, so a product can be labelled organic without certification. "Certified Organic" is different: a producer using it must be able to produce the certificate, and misusing it engages Australian Consumer Law.
Who certifies organic produce in Australia?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry approves the certifying bodies. They are ACO Certification Ltd (ACO), Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI), Organic Food Chain (OFC), Southern Cross Certified Australia (SXC). Each publishes a register of the operations it certifies.
Does PaddockMap verify organic certification?
No. 33 listings describe themselves as organic and 8 use the phrase certified organic, but PaddockMap records what a business says about itself. We check that a business exists and is trading, not what it is certified to do. Check the certifier's register before relying on an organic claim.