Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory)
Major supermarkets bound by mandatory Code with civil penalties from April 2025.
Who must comply
Major supermarkets above threshold + their suppliers.
What triggers it
Mandatory commencement April 2025.
When due
Continuous.
Evidence required
Code-compliant supplier agreements; dispute resolution records; ACCC + Code Reviewer engagement.
Max penalty
Civil penalties up to ~$10M for serious code breaches
Effective from
1 April 2025
Summary
Food and Grocery Code of Conduct mandatory from April 2025 (was voluntary). Applies to Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Metcash (above turnover thresholds). Sets supplier protections, retaliation prohibitions + ACCC complaint pathway. Civil penalties up to $10M for serious breaches.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related obligations
- CWLTHNotify ACCC of acquisitions meeting mandatory merger thresholdsFrom 1 January 2026, mandatory merger notification regime kicks in.
- CWLTHFranchising Code of Conduct (mandatory industry code)Mandatory Code regulating franchise sale, disclosure, dispute resolution.
- CWLTHDairy Code of Conduct (mandatory)Mandatory Code governing milk supply agreements between dairy farmers + processors.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory)?
- Major supermarkets above threshold + their suppliers.
- What triggers Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory)?
- Mandatory commencement April 2025.
- When is Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory) due?
- Continuous.
- What is the maximum penalty for Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory)?
- Civil penalties up to ~$10M for serious code breaches
- What evidence is required for Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (now mandatory)?
- Code-compliant supplier agreements; dispute resolution records; ACCC + Code Reviewer engagement.
Source: https://accc.gov.au/business/industry-codes/food-and-grocery-code-of-conduct. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.