Wine Australia is facilitating an independent review of the Wine Australia Regulations 2018 (Regulations) ahead of its scheduled sunsetting on 1 April 2028.
The review will inform advice to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on whether the Regulations remain fit for purpose, are still required, and whether any changes should be considered.
Wine Australia is inviting quotes from qualified consultants to complete the review of the Regulations. The role requires strong policy or legal expertise, stakeholder engagement experience and clear reporting capability. Experience conducting similar reviews is important, and knowledge of the wine sector would be an advantage.
Download the request for quote (RFQ). RFQ closes on 7 July.
Information for industry
The Wine Australia Regulations support the operation of the Wine Australia Act 2013 and govern how wine and grape products are described, labelled and exported, helping protect the reputation of Australian wine, implement Australia’s international obligations and support overseas market access.
The export controls contained in the Regulations have underpinned the success of the Australian wine industry for nearly 100 years, evolving over time to contemplate technological improvements, remove redundant provisions, simplify language and improve ease of navigation and administration.
The review will assess how the Regulations are working for industry and where they need improvement. It will examine how the Regulations work in practice, including export controls, label integrity and market access and whether they can be improved to contemplate technological improvements, remove redundant provisions, simplify language and improve ease of navigation and administration.
What do the regulations provide?
The Wine Australia Regulations prescribe controls to ensure the quality of grape products that include Australian wine and are exported; to implement Australia’s international obligations; and to ensure Australian wine that is exported complies with importing country requirements.
The Regulations set out the requirements for the description and presentation of wine that is made in Australia for domestic consumption and export, and for wine imported into Australia. The requirements contain conditions for use of terms including grape varieties, registered geographical indications and vintages. The Regulations also prescribe exemptions from the offences for false and misleading description and presentation of wine in Part VIB of the Act. The Regulations also set out rules for the determination of foreign country GIs.
To give effect to Australia’s obligations under relevant international trade agreements, the Regulations contain a number of provisions that enable Wine Australia to regulate the use of GIs on wine and grape products.
Wine Australia administers the Regulations in accordance with the Act and its Statement of Intent (February 2026).
Why is a review needed?
The Legislative Instruments Act 2001 requires that regulations sunset ten years after they are registered. The Regulations are due to sunset on 1 April 2028.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requires the review determine whether the Regulations are fit for purpose and are still required. The review is not a decision on changes to the Regulations.
The upcoming sunsetting of the Regulations provides the Australian wine industry an opportunity to consider whether any changes are required to be made to the Regulations. Additionally, a review enables the wine industry to express whether any improvements can be made to streamline Wine Australia’s administration of the Regulations.
This will be the first formal sunset review of the Regulations, since the last iteration of the Regulations, the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Regulations 1981 (Cth), sunsetted in April 2018. The explanatory statement for that review is available.
How can industry engage?
Industry consultation will be a core part of the review. Further information on methods of participating will be determined after a reviewer is appointed.
Indicative timeline
- 8 June 2026 – Wine Australia release RFQ
- 7 July 2026 – RFQ responses due
- July 2026 – Appointment of independent Reviewer.
- July – September 2026 – Development and implementation of consultation activities.
- 31 Dec 2026 – Finalised Review provided to DAFF
- 2027 – DAFF considers Review ahead of sunsetting of the Regulations
- 1 April 2028 – Wine Australia Regulations 2018 due to sunset.