23/04/2026
Are you READY? New seafood labelling rules will come into effect from 1 July 2026. This new information standard will affect hospitality businesses who sell seafood for immediate consumption such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, and takeaway outlets. Under the changes, businesses will be required to label seafood dishes with country of origin information using the Australian-Imported-Mixed (AIM) model.
A 12-month transition period is now underway to give businesses time to apply the changes.
Key information
From 1 July 2026, hospitality businesses must clearly label seafood using the AIM model:
• A – Australian
• I – Imported or
• M – Mixed (a combination of both).
How to Comply
To meet the new requirements, businesses must ensure the origin of their seafood is clear to customers before they order, both in-store and online. Examples of where to display origin information include:
• printed menus
• menu boards
• clear signage at your business premises
• websites and apps.
Labelling must follow one of these three methods:
• single letter AIM labels (with the inclusion of a legend), e.g. a single ‘M’ for mixed origin
• detailed AIM labels (the text must include the word ‘Australian’, ‘imported’ or ‘mixed’), e.g. ‘Contains imported seafood’
• a single origin statement for your entire business (if your businesses uses both Australian and imported seafood you cannot use this method), e.g. ‘All Australian sourced seafood’.
All labelling must be clear, accurate and written in English.
Additionally, businesses will be required to keep records on the origin of their seafood for at least three months after the seafood was last available for sale. Examples of a record could be an invoice or receipt, emails from suppliers or photos of packaging that display the country of origin.
Penalties for non-compliance
From 1 July 2026, businesses that fail to comply with the new labelling rules may face penalties under the Australian Consumer Law.
Key Advice for NSW Businesses
If you are designing new menus or flyers in 2026, it is highly recommended to integrate the A, I, or M indicators now to ensure you are compliant by the July deadline. For non-seafood items, you are free to omit the origin unless you want to use "Australian Grown" as a specific marketing advantage.
The NSW Food Authority will be the primary body monitoring compliance, so keeping records from your suppliers is essential to verify your claims.
