About the Grain Sustainability Framework

The Grain Sustainability Framework (GSF) is the Australian grains industry’s structured approach to measuring, monitoring and reporting sustainability performance at a national level.

It provides transparent, credible data across environmental, social and economic indicators, supporting accountability, market access and long-term industry resilience.

gsf_landscape_2
gsf_landscape_10

Why a Grain Sustainability Framework

Expectations are changing. Consumers, markets, investors and regulators increasingly require evidence that food, fibre and fuel are responsibly produced.

Global concerns relating to climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation and water use have placed agriculture under greater scrutiny. At the same time, international trading partners and major food companies are seeking more transparency and consistent data to meet their own environmental and social commitments.

The GSF responds to this environment. It provides a structured reporting mechanism that supports transparency, safeguards market access and demonstrates continuous improvement across the Australian grains industry.

Explore how the GSF was built
gsf_landscape_3

Purpose

The purpose of the GSF is to support the long-term sustainability of the Australian grains industry by using credible data to measure, monitor and report national performance across environmental, social and economic indicators.

The GSF reports performance over time to highlight strengths, identify areas for improvement and demonstrate progress.

gsf_landscape_4

Definition

A sustainable Australian grains industry delivers trusted, high-quality grain through practices that are locally grounded, globally recognised and economically prosperous.

It safeguards people, soil, water, biodiversity and the atmosphere, while supporting growers, communities and future generations.

Reporting Boundary

The grain value chain is complex, spanning multiple stages, stakeholders and customers. The GSF is currently prioritising on-farm sustainability reporting, reflecting the critical role of farm-level practices in driving sustainability outcomes.

By starting behind the farm gate, the GSF ensures that the foundation of the value chain is robust, measurable, and aligned with global sustainability expectations.

This phased approach enables the industry to demonstrate its credentials, meet evolving market demands and prepare for future whole-of-value-chain reporting.

Operating Principles

Integrity

Demonstrating ethical conduct and consistent values, ensuring actions and communications are honest, responsible and aligned with stated commitments.

Relevance

Ensuring the GSF is valuable to customers, aligned with stakeholders and practical for growers.

Accountability

Committing to measurable outcomes and transparent reporting across the industry.

Continuous Improvement

By responding to current and emerging science, evolving technologies, and shifting stakeholder expectations, and by encouraging innovation, feedback, collaboration, and adoption, the GSF and the grains industry stay forward-looking and impactful.

GSF Themes

The GSF is structured around four overarching themes shaped by materiality assessment, stakeholder consultation and GSF Steering Group evaluation.

Under each theme are relevant topics, which form the basis of the reporting.

Planet

Grain production that demonstrates environmental stewardship and enduring landscape function.

noun-sprout-7656113

People

Safe, supported, and connected people and communities.

GSF_People 1

Product

Delivering grain that meets market expectations and supports Australia's market access and reputation globally.

noun-grain-bag-4706993

Prosperity

Strengthening the long-term profitability and adaptability of the grains industry.

noun-hand-8235172

Topics under each theme were identified and prioritised using a materiality study conducted in 2024, supported by stakeholder consultation across the grain value chain and evaluation by the GSF Steering Group in 2025.

Explore the Topics

Next Steps

The 2026 Annual Report includes baseline and trending data for 12 of the 21 identified topics. Further development is underway to enable robust reporting across the remaining topics.

The GSF will continue to evolve through:

1

Periodic materiality reassessment

2

Expanded data collection and refinement

3

Ongoing stakeholder engagement

4

Consideration of assurance and reporting maturity

This structured approach supports continuous improvement while maintaining transparency and clarity.

See the latest from GSF

Subscribe to receive updates from the Grain Sustainability Framework including news and reports.

GSF_Report_Download_TRANSPARENT

2026 Annual Report

The 2026 Annual Report provides a streamlined view of the Grain Sustainability Framework reporting framework and the first set of baseline and trend data.

Supporting detail including topic definitions, data tables, and methodology is available throughout this website.