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About Us

AWTA Ltd (Australian Wool Testing Authority) is the largest wool testing organisation in the world.

As a consolidated group, AWTA comprises of 3 operating divisions in Australia (AWTA Raw Wool, AWTA Product Testing and Agrifood Technology), its wholly owned subsidiary NZWTA and its joint venture, JinAo Testing Company.

View our latest Corporate video...

Read more about AWTA Ltd

image description
Our Divisions
Sampling, testing and certification of wool and textiles
Independent materials testing services
Analytical testing provider to the grain, food and feed industries
Independent and objective wool certification services
Testing of Chinese products and imported raw materials
Accurate and rapid analysis of feed and fodder

About

Policies

Protecting Your Privacy

AWTA Ltd values its client's privacy and strives to protect the information it holds and uses about individuals who provide it with personal information.

AWTA Ltd's Privacy Policy can be accessed via the link below.

Download: AWTA Ltd Privacy Policy

Whistleblower Policy

Download: Whistleblower Policy

Terms and Conditions for AWTA Ltd Services

Summary

Before requesting any of the services associated with the downloadable documents below, it is your responsibility to ensure that you familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions associated with those services. By requesting any of the services, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to be bound by the appropriate Terms and Conditions.

We may amend the terms below at any time by notifying you, including in any one or more of the following ways:

  • Printing the amended terms on our Test Request forms.
  • Referring to the amendments and/or printing the amended terms in a newsletter or Fees List.
  • Posting the amended terms on this website.

Your continued use of the testing services or consulting services after such notice and/or amendment will constitute acceptance of the variation and the appropriate terms in general.

Documents available for download:

Product Testing Terms
FeedTest Terms
FeedTest Agency Terms
Fleece Measurement Terms
Pesticide Terms 
Agrifood Terms

Terms for use of this website

Ownership and Access

By accessing the website and utilising its contents you expressly agree to these terms.

This website is owned by Australian Wool Testing Authority Limited (“AWTA Ltd”).

AWTA Ltd grants you a non-exclusive limited licence to access the site subject to these terms for use.

Any resale or commercial application of the website and its contents is prohibited.

Copyright

The material provided on this website is owned by AWTA Ltd, which retains the copyright therein. You may use such material for your personal reference only. Except for the temporary copy held in the cache of the electronic device used to access and navigate the website, a single back-up copy and a single permanent copy for your personal reference, the material may not be otherwise used, copied, reproduced, published, stored in a retrieval system, altered, on-sold, transmitted in any form or by any means in whole or in part (except where such use constitutes fair dealing under the Copyright Act (Commonwealth of Australia)).

Content Disclaimer

All material forming part of our website (including in any AWTA Ltd portals) is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate. It is provided for guidance purposes only and should not be used for commercial purposes, including trading of any commodities or goods. AWTA Ltd, our officers and staff make no representation or warranty as to the suitability of materials on this site for any purpose whatsoever, the timeliness, reliability, accuracy or completeness of the material and we accept no responsibility or liability arising in any way, including for negligence, for errors in, omissions from, or use of, that material. To the extent permitted by law, AWTA Ltd excludes all liability whatsoever to you arising out of or in any way connected with your use of the website, including without limitation, for any loss of profits, loss of business revenue, failure to realise expected profits or savings, overhead costs, loss of goodwill, loss of reputation, loss of value in any intellectual property, damages or liquidated sums payable pursuant to other agreements, other economic losses or any consequential or indirect losses of any kind howsoever arising and whether caused by breach of statute, breach of contract, negligence or other tort.

Trademarks and Logos

This website contains trademarks and logos owned by AWTA Ltd. You may not use or reproduce any trademark or logo (or part thereof) in any manner without the prior written authorisation of AWTA Ltd.

Linking to this website

The Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA Ltd) (the owner of www.awta.com.au) welcomes administrators and managers of websites to place a link or links on their sites to specific pages within our site. All we ask of you is to adhere to the following conditions. By using text to link to www.awta.com.au you accept these conditions of use.

Address

You may link from your website to any page within our site, provided that the link is appropriately identified as a link to our site.

Links to www.awta.com.au MUST open within a new window, not within a window or page frame on your site.

Text

You must use the words "Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd" or “AWTA Ltd” for your link to the selected page(s) of www.awta.com.au. Alternatively, you may use the title of the document(s) or page(s) to which you are linking provided the AWTA Ltd website is identified as the source.

Trademarks and Logos

You may not use any AWTA Ltd trademarks or logos (in whole or in part) in any manner without first obtaining our written authorisation.

You must not use any other trademark, logo icon, text or artwork as, or as part of, your link to www.awta.com.au.

You may place your link and the associated text to suit your needs on your website as long as:

  1. The link and associated text appear clearly and distinctly from any other link, text or graphics.

  2. The link is not used in any way to represent or imply falsely, deceptively or confusingly that either AWTA Ltd endorses or is affiliated with or related to any third party (including you) or product.

  3. Neither you nor the material on your website will disparage AWTA Ltd or its goods or services.

  4. Your website, and any material on it, conforms to accepted standards of public decency and good taste. It must not expose AWTA Ltd to any risk of liability under any criminal or civil law.

Disclaimer

You agree to use, and to link to, www.awta.com.au at your own risk. AWTA Ltd will not be liable for any loss or damage from any cause (including negligence) to your website and system, or to people linking to us from your website(s), caused by or in connection with a link to www.awta.com.au. Any such loss or damage will be your responsibility.

Indemnity for Linking to this Website

You agree to indemnify AWTA Ltd and keep it indemnified against all actions, claims, suits, proceedings, demands, damages, costs or liability made against AWTA Ltd arising in any manner from a breach by you of these terms.

AWTA Ltd reserves the right, solely at its discretion, to request removal of your link or to review your link at any time.

More Information

If you have any questions or comments about creating a link to us, please contact our webmaster:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Postal:

Website Manager
Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd
PO Box 240
NORTH MELBOURNE   VIC   3051

Phone: +61 (03) 9371 4100
   

 

AWTA Executive Team

The Board delegates responsibility for the operation and administration of the Company to the Managing Director who, together with the executive team, is accountable to the Board.

Senior executives, their staff and technical specialists in Head Office support the Managing Director.

AWTA Ltd is organised for management and reporting purposes into functional units. Management responsible for those units must account for their performance within a framework of Strategic Plans, Budgets, Position Descriptions, targets, standards and policies.

Michael Jackson, Managing Director

As Chief Executive, the Managing Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for planning, directing and the overall control of the management, administration and profitability of AWTA Ltd, thereby ensuring that the Company achieves all of its primary objectives effectively.

As a Director on the Board, he is accountable to the Member/Guarantors for the success and future direction of the Company. He is required to take the leading role in policy formulation and review, and to implement all such policies by acting within the broad scope of any guidelines determined by the Board.

Peter Walsh, Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary

The Chief Financial Officer is accountable for the planning and control of the financial and administration functions to enable AWTA Ltd to meet its objectives efficiently. 

In the role of Principal Accounting Officer and Public Officer for taxation purposes, he is accountable for meeting the requirements of the relevant Acts of Parliament.

In the role of Company Secretary, he is accountable for meeting the requirements of the various Acts of Parliament and, in particular, the Corporations Law.

Alexandra Klimovics, General Counsel & Company Secretary

The General Counsel is accountable for the planning, provision and control of industrial, legal and personnel services to enable AWTA Ltd to meet its objectives efficiently.

In the role of Company Secretary, she is accountable for meeting the requirements of the various Acts of Parliament and, in particular, the Corporations Law.

Ian Ashman, General Manager - Strategic Projects 

The General Manager - Strategic Projects is accountable for developing, implementing and coordinating major projects that cover all divisions to meet the strategic objectives of the Company.

Nick Ignatenko, Chief Information Officer  

The Chief Information Officer is accountable for AWTA computer and information technology systems to meet current and future operations, administration and management needs.

Brendon van Rensburg, General Manager - Raw Wool

The General Manager - Raw Wool is accountable for optimising business relationships with existing and potential users of raw wool services to ensure market share is maximised, new services are efficiently introduced and customer satisfaction is high. He is accountable for planning, directing and controlling all Sampling and Laboratory Operations within AWTA Ltd ensuring they are integral to the efficiency and integrity of Australian wool selling systems.

In addition, he is responsible for planning and coordination of overseas liaison, in conjunction with the Managing Director.

Doreen Fernandez, General Manager - Agrifood Technology

The General Manager - Agrifood Technology is accountable for planning, co-ordinating and controlling AWTA Ltd operations in the Agrifood Technology Division, to achieve the objectives of the Company.

Sean Bassett, Divisional Manager - AWTA Product Testing

The Divisional Manager - AWTA Product Testing is accountable for planning, co-ordinating and controlling AWTA Ltd operations in the Product Testing Division, to achieve the objectives of the Company.

Tim Steere, Sampling Operations Manager - Raw Wool, Eastern Australia

The Sampling Operations Manager - Eastern Australia is accountable for planning, co-ordinating and controlling all sampling operations in Eastern Australia to achieve the objectives of AWTA Ltd. Responsible for co-ordinating and undertaking effective client liaison and promotion activities within the region.

Steven Kar, Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager is accountable for developing, implementing and coordinating sales, marketing and associated communication strategies to grow business revenue of the Company.

AWTA Board

Appointment of Directors

AWTA Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee. As described in the Company's Articles of Association, each Member Guarantor is entitled to appoint a Director to the Board. Additionally, the Member Guarantors may appoint two Independent Directors. The Board may appoint a Director having special scientific and/or technological qualifications. The Chief Executive of the Company is also a Director.

The following organisations or their nominees are the Member/Guarantors constituting the Company:

Directors

 

Chair

Gordon Dickinson

  • Appointed as an independent director by the members of AWTA Ltd on 18 March 2005
  • Appointed as Deputy Chair on 15 April 2005 and as Chair on 21 October 2022
  • Chair of Remuneration & Appointments Committee
  • Chair of Rubicon Water Ltd and Nareen Station Pty Ltd
  • Director of DFP Management Pty Ltd
  • Trustee of Hamilton Gallery Trust Fund

 

Deputy Chair

Alexandra Gartmann

  • Appointed as an independent director by the members of AWTA Ltd on 21 October 2022
  • Appointed as Deputy Chair on 21 October 2022
  • Chair of Audit & Finance Committee
  • Chair of the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council
  • Non Executive director of Nufarm
  • Director of the Australian Farm Institute and One Basin CRC
  • Member of Selection Commitee of Grains Research & Development Corporation

 

Managing Director

Michael Jackson

  • Managing Director of AWTA Ltd since 21 May 2001
  • Member of Environment & Safety Committee
  • Director of New Zealand Wool Testing Authority Ltd and JinAo Testing Company Ltd
  • Chair of the Australian Wool Education Trust
  • Vice President of the International Wool Textile Organisation

 

David Ritchie

  • Appointed as the nominee director for Wool Scourers and Carbonisers of Australia Group of Australian Wool Processors Council Inc on 25 February 2011
  • Member of Audit & Finance Committee
  • General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Group

 

Scott Williams

  • Appointed as the nominee director for Wool Textile Manufacturers of Australia Group of Australian Wool Processors Council Inc on 1 June 2023
  • Member of Audit & Finance Committee
  • Executive Director of Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors Inc
  • Executive Director of Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia Inc
  • Principal of Forest Hill Consulting
  • Director of Central Highlands Water
  • Director of the Sovereign Hill Museums Association Ltd

 

John Colley

  • Appointed as the nominee director for National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia Inc effective 1 May 2021
  • Member of Remuneration & Appointments Committee
  • Director of National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia
  • Managing Director of AWN Food & Fibre Holdings Pty Ltd
  • Director of AWN Rural Pty Ltd, Premium Wool (WA) Pty Ltd, Dyson Jones Wool Marketing Services Pty Ltd, Australian Pastoral Investments Pty Ltd, AWN Pastoral Pty Ltd, AWN Property Pty Ltd, Colley Pty Ltd, Arlia Pty Ltd and Jemina Pty Ltd
  • Alternate Director of the Australian Wool Exchange Ltd

 

Josh Lamb

  • Appointed as the nominee director for Australian Council of Wool Exporters Inc on October 2020
  • Chair of Environment & Safety Committee
  • President of Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors Inc
  • Managing Director Endeavour Wool Exports Pty Ltd
  • Director of Nelyambo Wool Pty Ltd

 

Steve Harrison

  • Appointed as the nominee director for WoolProducers Australia Ltd on 14 November 2022
  • President WoolProducers Australia Ltd
  • Director of Australian Wool Exchange Ltd
  • Principal of Bindawarra Merino Stud

 

Gary Turner

  • Appointed as the nominee director for Private Treaty Wool Merchants of Australia Inc on 20 October 2023
  • Member of Environment & Safety Committee
  • Managing Director of Reeashbro Pty Ltd
  • Managing Director of Reeashbro (Wool) Pty Ltd
  • Director of Stocturn Holdings Pty Ltd

 

Michelle Humphries

  • Appointed as the nominee director for Australian Wool Innovation Ltd on 20 October 2023
  • Director of Australian Wool Innovation Ltd
  • Director of Livestock Breeding Services Pty Ltd
  • Director of Brookvale Jerilderie Pty Ltd
  • Director of Nanshore Pty Ltd
  • Director of Dunchurch Pty Ltd

Corporate History

Chair

Bill Lempriere 1957 - 1964
Ian McLaren 1964 - 1965
Max Scott, (Acting) 1965 - 1966
Lindsay Yeo AO 1966 - 1992
Alan McGregor AO 1992 - 2005
Donald McGauchie AO 2005 - 2022
Gordon Dickinson Since 2022

Chief Executives

Alec Dixie 1958 - 1964
Jim James, (Acting) 1964 - 1965
James Campbell 1965 - 1966
David Ward OAM 1966 - 2001
Michael Jackson Since 2001