This white paper provides an in-depth analysis of Australia’s emerging precision fermentation sector, showcasing the country’s value proposition in producing precision-fermented ingredients. It highlights the progress the sector has made so far, and positions Australia as an attractive destination for the commercialisation and scale of precision-fermented ingredients.

The report reveals that Australia has an opportunity to build on existing sovereign capability across the precision fermentation value chain, including robust research capability, a collaborative ecosystem of companies, a well-established regulatory system, and an emerging commercial landscape.

Key recommendations

• The Department of Industry, Science and Resources consider cellular agriculture within the scope of the 2024 revitalised National Science and Research Priorities.
• The Department of Health & Aged Care increase resourcing to Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), thereby enabling increased capability and capacity to deal with applications for foods produced using gene technology and support the industry to be internationally competitive.
• The Department of Health & Aged Care authorise changes to the FSANZ Act that streamlines approvals for foods produced using gene technology.
• The Department of Health & Aged Care remove or significantly reduce the cost barriers associated with submitting food safety assessments for precision-fermented ingredients to FSANZ.
• The Department of Industry, Science and Resources adopt cellular agriculture technologies (including precision fermentation) in the government's innovation agenda.
• The Department of Industry, Science and Resources explicitly reference cellular agriculture technologies (including precision fermentation) in documents like the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Co-investment Plans.
• Federal funding be provided for pilot and commercial-sized facilities suitable for precision fermentation to enable rapid scaling and production of cellular agriculture products.
• State and Federal Governments consider how to implement fast, flexible incentive packages to encourage investment into precision fermentation facilities.