Why Halal Certification Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Australia's halal industry is worth over $15 billion. Global demand is rising, new regulations from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are tightening import rules, and the ACCC is cracking down on false halal claims. Here is what businesses and consumers need to know.
$15.26B
AUD, 2025
$2.2B
Record in 2025
6.1%
CAGR to 2035
How Does Halal Certification Work in Australia?
Australia's halal certification system is governed by the Australian Government Authorised Halal Program (AGAHP), a three-way partnership established in 1997 between the federal government, Approved Islamic Organisations (AIOs), and registered meat establishments. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) oversees the program, setting the standards that all participants must follow. Only AIOs with an Approved Arrangement with DAFF can certify halal red meat and red meat products for export. Each AIO is accredited for specific international markets, meaning a certifier recognised by Malaysia may differ from one recognised by Saudi Arabia.
For domestic products, halal certification is voluntary but increasingly important. Businesses seek certification to access Muslim consumers (a market growing at 6.1% annually according to Expert Market Research) and to build trust with halal-conscious shoppers. Restaurants, food manufacturers, and retailers can all apply for certification through recognised bodies.
How Big Is Australia's Halal Market?
Australia's halal market was valued at AUD $15.26 billion in 2025, according to Expert Market Research. The sector is forecast to expand at 6.1% annually, potentially reaching AUD $27.59 billion by 2035.
In 2025, Australian red meat and livestock exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region hit a record AUD $2.2 billion, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). Australia is the second-largest halal meat exporter globally, shipping over one million tonnes of meat and offal to more than 160 countries each year.
Domestically, the Muslim population in Australia is approaching one million, driving demand for halal-certified products across food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.
Key Market Figures
$15.26B market (2025)
$2.2B MENA exports (2025)
6.1% annual growth
2nd largest halal meat exporter
Support Muslim Businesses
Why Is 2026 a Turning Point for Halal Exports?
Several of Australia's largest halal export markets are tightening their import requirements in 2026. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation with over 270 million people, is mandating halal certification for all food and beverages by October 2026. Saudi Arabia introduced a new halal import portal in October 2024, adding an additional compliance layer. For Australian businesses, non-compliance means losing access to markets worth billions of dollars. Companies that prepare early will have a competitive advantage as these deadlines approach.
Indonesia deadline: October 2026
Indonesia
Mandatory halal certification for all food and beverages by October 2026. Affects all Australian exporters to the world's largest Muslim-majority nation (270M+ people).
Saudi Arabia
New halal import portal introduced October 2024, adding an additional compliance layer for all food exports to the Kingdom.
Malaysia
JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) maintains strict recognition requirements for foreign halal certifiers.
UAE
ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization) requires halal certification from recognised bodies for all imported food products.
Who Are the Recognised Halal Certifiers in Australia?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) maintains an official list of Approved Islamic Organisations (AIOs) authorised to certify halal products for export. These certifiers are recognised by importing countries and must maintain approved arrangements with the Australian Government. Major certifiers include ICCV (Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria), AFIC (Australian Federation of Islamic Councils), SICHMA, and Halal Australia. Each certifier is accredited for specific international markets, so the right choice depends on which countries you plan to export to. The full and current list is published on the DAFF website.
ICCV (Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria)
Australia's largest halal certification body. Accredited by major importing nations.
AFIC (Australian Federation of Islamic Councils)
Oldest halal certification authority in Australia, established 1974.
SICHMA (Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia)
Focuses on halal meat certification for domestic and export markets.
Halal Australia (Halal Australia Pty Ltd)
Provides halal certification across food manufacturing, restaurants, and logistics.
Verify a Certifier
View the official DAFF listWhat Are the Penalties for False Halal Claims in Australia?
The ACCC confirmed in 2024 that mislabelling a product as halal when it is not constitutes a false or misleading representation under the Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010). This means businesses that make false halal claims face serious penalties. Following amendments in 2022, maximum penalties were significantly increased: up to $50 million for companies and up to $2.5 million for individuals. The ACCC enforces these provisions and has signalled that halal claims are treated with the same scrutiny as any other product representation under Australian Consumer Law.
Up to $50M
For companies making false halal claims
Up to $2.5M
For individuals making false halal claims
How Can Consumers and Businesses Verify Halal Status?
Whether you are a consumer looking for trustworthy halal food or a business owner navigating certification, there are practical steps you can take to verify halal claims and protect yourself. Consumers should look for the certification body's name on product labels and cross-check it against the official DAFF list. Business owners should ensure their certification is current and displayed clearly. Here are the key actions for both groups.
Check the certifier
Look for the certification body's name on the product label and verify it against the DAFF official list. Not all certifiers are recognised for all markets.
Know the difference: certified vs friendly
"Halal certified" means formally inspected by a recognised body. "Halal friendly" means halal options are available but formal certification may not exist. On HalalHQ, we clearly label every restaurant's halal status so you can decide for yourself.
Report false claims
If you believe a business is falsely claiming halal status, you can report it to the ACCC. False halal claims are a serious offence under Australian Consumer Law.
Use community knowledge
Community reviews and local knowledge are valuable. Platforms like HalalHQ combine official certification data with community-verified information to give you a more complete picture of a restaurant's halal status.
Frequently Asked Questions
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