The new seafood CoOL rules now apply. Restaurants, cafes, pubs and other food service businesses must display where their seafood comes from.

The changes aim to help customers make informed choices and support transparency.

What has changed 

From today, businesses that sell seafood for immediate consumption must clearly label whether seafood in their dishes is:

  • Australian (A)
  • Imported (I)
  • A mix of Australian and imported (M).

Businesses must meet the requirement using the Australian, Imported, Mixed (AIM) model. There are a few labelling options to choose from, ranging from single letters with a legend to detailed wording, so customers can easily understand the origin of the seafood they order.

Labels must be easy to see and available before customers place an order. For example, it could be shown on menus, menu boards or online ordering forms.

Who needs to comply

The new rules apply to businesses that serve seafood for immediate consumption - it doesn’t matter if it is served for dine-in, takeaway or home delivery. This includes:

  • restaurants and cafes
  • pubs and clubs
  • takeaways and fast-food outlets
  • hotels and motels that serve food (including room service)
  • food trucks.

Businesses that already provide country of origin information should check that their labels meet the new requirements.

Why this matters

Clear seafood labelling helps customers make informed purchasing decisions. 

The new law also helps to create a consistent labelling approach across the Australian hospitality sector.

How to meet the requirements

Businesses can take simple steps to comply:

  • review seafood menus and offerings
  • confirm the origin of seafood with suppliers
  • update menus, boards or displays with the correct labels
  • train staff so they understand the new rules.

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