New packaging standards Australia are on the horizon—and they matter. With the national reform of packaging regulation under the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) underway, the way packaging is designed, produced and managed is changing. For a full-service provider like Carewell Group, which offers packaging, industrial & safety supplies, logistics and 3PL, this means both challenge and opportunity.
Why change is happening
Australia’s current co-regulatory framework for packaging—through the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM)—has been in place for decades, but it’s increasingly clear it won’t deliver the ambition needed. The government’s review found it “no longer fit-for-purpose”. dcceew.gov.au+2packagingnews.com.au+2
Here are key indicators:
- A large number of businesses don’t participate, or take minimal action. naturpac.org+1
- Packaging recovery rates are well below targets, especially for plastic packaging. packagingnews.com.au+1
- State and territory frameworks are inconsistent, creating complexity. packagingnews.com.au
In response, the government opened a consultation in 2024 about reforming packaging regulation. consult.dcceew.gov.au+1 The goal: ensure all packaging available in Australia is designed to be recovered, reused, recycled and re-processed safely. dcceew.gov.au
What the new standards (and reform) could look like
While full regulation is still being developed, several likely elements of new packaging standards Australia have emerged from consultation and discussion:
- A possible Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, where producers (brand owners, manufacturers, importers) bear responsibility (and cost) for end-of-life packaging. In the consultation summary, around 65% supported this option. dcceew.gov.au+1
- Mandatory national requirements on packaging: for example, minimum recycled content, design for recyclability, bans or phase-out of “problematic materials” (e.g., oxo-degradable plastics, certain black-pigments, difficult-to-recycle composites). dcceew.gov.au
- Clear recyclability labelling obligations on packaging. dcceew.gov.au+1
- A grading or assessment system for packaging design (for recyclability, recovery, reuse) to support transition to circular economy. Food Packaging Forum+1
- More consistent national standards for collection, sorting and recovery infrastructure (including kerbside systems) so that packaging labelled recyclable actually is recyclable. packagingnews.com.au
What this means for Australian businesses
For businesses involved in packaging supply, logistics, industrial operations—or those that rely on packaging heavily—the implications are significant. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Design & material choices become critical
With new packaging standards Australia moving toward design for recovery, choices of packaging material, construction, recyclability and end-of-life pathway will matter more. Packaging that is difficult to recover or recycle may carry higher costs (or face restrictions). For Carewell Group, your role in supplying trays, mailers, wraps, tapes, bags means you’ll need to ensure these formats are aligned with future standards.
Supply-chain and lifecycle view becomes essential
It’s not just about what happens at the time of packaging—it’s about the full lifecycle: manufacture, use, collection, sorting, recycling. The new standards emphasise circular economy thinking. Businesses will increasingly need data and traceability. For those in logistics and 3PL (like you), there’s opportunity to integrate these lifecycle considerations (storage, transport, return/reuse streams) into service offerings.
Reporting, fees and accountability may increase
With EPR and national mandatory requirements, businesses may face new reporting obligations, fee structures (eco-modulation), and stricter accountability. Early preparation means fewer surprises.
Competitive advantage for early adopters
Businesses that proactively align with the future standards will benefit: stronger brand reputation, ability to meet client requests for sustainable packaging, fewer retrofit costs down the track. Carewell Group can position itself as a leader in “future-ready” packaging solutions.
Risk of delay or inaction
Waiting until regulation is finalised may mean scrambling to redesign packaging, facing supply-chain disruption, system compatibility issues, higher costs. The direction is clear: sooner preparation = more control.
What businesses can do now (pragmatic steps)
Since the new packaging standards Australia are still being finalised, there’s no reason to wait before acting. Here are steps to take now:
- Audit your packaging portfolio
Map all packaging and materials used and supplied: trays, mailers, polybags, wraps, tapes, etc. For each format ask: what material(s) are used? What is the end-of-life recovery path? Is it truly recyclable or reusable? What recycled content is present (or possible)? - Engage with suppliers and design teams
Talk to material and manufacturing partners about recycled content, compatibility with recovery systems, design for recycling, potential future regulation. Start redesigning packaging where necessary (simpler materials, mono-materials, fewer layers, easier separation, clearer labelling). - Monitor the regulatory reform
Stay tuned for final regulatory framework by DCCEEW. Track which option is chosen (EPR, mandatory national requirements, or hybrid) and the timelines. Recognise when transition periods might apply. Use this knowledge to build roadmaps and cost-planning. - Embed circular economy thinking into operations and services
Since packaging standards are shifting, integrate reuse, recovery and design optimisation into your supply chain, logistics and 3PL offerings. Look for ways your storage, transport, distribution services can support circular flows (returns, reuse, recycled materials, lighter packaging). - Prepare internal systems and data
Start capturing data: packaging volumes, material types, recycled content, recovery pathways. Having this data gives you flexibility when reporting or compliance obligations arrive. Also, it creates value for clients—showing you’ve done the work. - Communicate value to clients and stakeholders
Use your leadership as a selling point: “We’re preparing for the new packaging standards in Australia.” Offer clients transition-planning services: assessments, design optimisation, supply-chain alignment. Position yourself not just as supplier but as advisor.
Why it matters (bigger picture)
The shift to new packaging standards Australia is not just regulatory—it’s strategic. It ties into broader themes of resource efficiency, circular economy, waste reduction, carbon emissions, brand sustainability, and supply-chain resilience. Some broader benefits:
- Fewer materials wasted, better use of resources, less landfill.
- Protection of brand reputation in a more sustainability-aware market.
- Opportunity to reduce cost via smarter packaging design and logistics.
- Better alignment with consumer expectations and regulatory trajectory.
For Carewell Group, your mission of delivering excellence, constant innovation and preserving the environment aligns directly with this change. By leaning into the new standards early, you can reinforce your value-proposition and help clients navigate the transition.
Final thoughts
New packaging standards Australia are coming—and they’re more than just a regulation. They signal a shift in how packaging is viewed: from disposable afterthought to strategic asset in a circular economy. For businesses in packaging, logistics and industrial supply chains, this is not just about compliance—it’s about future-proofing.
Take the reins early. Audit, engage, redesign, embed. The regulation may not yet be fully finalised, but the direction is clear—and aligning ahead of time gives you choice, not pressure.
If you’d like, I can draft a Checklist for New Packaging Standards Compliance for your team (or your clients) with key actions, readiness steps, and timelines. Would you like that?
