New Seafood Labelling Laws Improve Transparency for Australian Diners
From 1 July 2026, Australians ordering seafood in restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaway outlets will have greater access to information about where their seafood comes from.
New Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) requirements now require hospitality businesses serving seafood for immediate consumption to indicate whether the seafood is:
A – Australian
I – Imported
M – Mixed origin
The new requirements apply across dine-in, takeaway and food delivery services and are intended to provide consumers with clearer information at the point of purchase.
Supporting informed consumer choice
Country of origin is an important consideration for many Australians when purchasing food. While mandatory Country of Origin Labelling has been in place for packaged seafood sold in retail settings for several years, until now there has been no equivalent requirement for seafood purchased from hospitality businesses.
The new laws help address this gap by giving consumers access to consistent origin information regardless of whether they are buying seafood from a supermarket or ordering it from a restaurant, café or takeaway outlet.
Providing clear information allows consumers to make choices that align with their own preferences and values. For some people this may include supporting Australian seafood producers, while others may be interested in sustainability, traceability, food provenance or simply understanding more about the food they are eating.
What this means for the food and hospitality industry
For hospitality businesses, the changes represent another step towards greater transparency across the food supply chain.
While many businesses have voluntarily promoted the origin of their seafood for years, the new requirements establish a consistent approach across the industry and provide greater clarity for consumers.
The changes also highlight the growing importance of robust supply chain management and traceability systems. Businesses will need to know the origin of the seafood they purchase and ensure menus, menu boards or other point-of-sale information accurately reflects that information.
FNA's perspective
At Food & Nutrition Australia, we support initiatives that improve transparency and help consumers make informed food choices.
Providing clear and accurate information about food enables consumers to make purchasing decisions that reflect their individual preferences, values and priorities. Whether those decisions are based on nutrition, sustainability, provenance, supporting local producers or other considerations, transparent labelling is an important foundation for informed choice.
As interest in food origin continues to grow, measures that improve access to reliable information help strengthen trust between consumers, food businesses and the broader food system.
The new seafood Country of Origin Labelling requirements are another step towards greater transparency and informed decision-making across Australia's food industry.
Key Facts
When did the new laws commence?
The new Country of Origin Labelling requirements for seafood sold through hospitality businesses came into effect on 1 July 2026.
Which businesses are covered?
The requirements apply to hospitality businesses serving seafood for immediate consumption, including:
Restaurants
Cafés
Pubs and clubs
Takeaway food outlets
Food delivery services
What information must be provided?
Businesses must identify the country of origin of seafood using the following designations:
A – Australian
I – Imported
M – Mixed origin
This information must be clearly displayed on menus, menu boards or other point-of-sale material so customers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Why were the changes introduced?
The new requirements aim to improve transparency by providing consumers with country of origin information when purchasing seafood from hospitality businesses, bringing this more closely into line with the information already available for packaged seafood sold in retail outlets.
Where can businesses find more information?
Businesses can access guidance on the new requirements through their relevant state or territory food authority or the Australian Government resources on Country of Origin Labelling.