Public consultation on the discussion paper is closed.
How you had your say
We conducted consultation on the National Food Security Strategy – discussion paper from 13 August to 1 October 2025.
To help develop the strategy, we asked for feedback. This feedback will help us determine the scope of the strategy.
Who engaged
We received 408 submissions to the discussion paper, either via the Have Your Say platform or email.
Where permission to publish was provided, 318 submissions can be viewed (opens in a new window) on this webpage.
90 submissions have not been published because:
the submitter had categorised their submission as confidential or labelled the submission to indicate it was not for publication; or
it was a duplicate submission, was blank or did not contain relevant content; or
the submitter has not responded to a request for permission to publish (in the case of emailed submissions).
Respondents represented a variety of different stakeholder groups from across the food system including:
Peak body associations
Famers and producers
Retailers
Manufacturers
Not-for-profit and community organisations
Research and academia
Local and state government
Members of the public
What you said
The discussion paper posed a series of questions as a guide for submissions. Stakeholders shared a wide range of views on the challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s food security. In depth analysis is ongoing, but some early themes arising from the questions are provided below.
Timeframe
Many submissions indicated a preference for the strategy to work towards a long-term horizon, but with short to medium term actions.
Guiding principles
Support was provided for the principles outlined in the discussion paper. In addition, a number of submissions called for:
Governance: the importance of harmonising existing and interrelated policies to ensure a whole of government approach.
Transparency and accountability: ensuring policies are evidence-driven, transparent and undergo monitoring and evaluation.
Equity and inclusion: considering the human right to food a central principle of the strategy with equitable and inclusive policy design and prioritisation.
Key priority areas and whole of system considerations
There was general agreement to the key priority areas and whole of system considerations posed in the Discussion Paper. However, a number of submissions recommended reframing and or some reprioritisation. Early themes emerging from submissions for consideration in the strategy include:
Producer productivity: ensuring the viability of producers through workforce, research, development and extension and fair market practices.
Nutritional security: recognising food security does not guarantee nutritional security and the importance of health outcomes in designing the strategy.
Supply chain resilience and market access: strengthening supply chains to better withstand disruptions, securing critical inputs, and maintaining open trade and market access.
Climate change and ecological stewardship: recognising Australia’s natural capital and calls for action on emission reduction, climate adaptation, and waste reduction.
First Nations food systems: supporting food sovereignty and self-determination, traditional knowledge sharing and access to culturally relevant foods.
Equitable access: Understanding food security is unequally experienced among the Australian population and the need to consider the systematic drivers of this inequality.
Diversified and localised food systems: Calls for upscaling existing place-based initiatives, empowering local food systems and diversifying food environments for greater resilience.
Actions
Many submissions highlighted initiatives they are undertaking to address food security, demonstrating the range of actions across the food system. We hope to use this information to get a better understanding of the current state of Australia’s food system. Suggestions for future actions to support the strategy are being considered and may be explored through further consultation.
What happens next
Continuing analysis will provide the evidence to inform and make decision on the scope of the strategy. Due to the breadth and depth of submissions received, we are undertaking a thorough qualitative review to ensure perspectives are appropriately considered. The webpage will be updated with further analysis as it becomes available.
To stay informed on the development of the National Food Security Strategy including future engagement opportunities, visit our Feeding Australia: A National Food Security Strategy (opens in a new window) page.