Wool Industry Delays 2027 WoolPoll
The federal government confirmed the 2027 WoolPoll will not proceed while a new polling framework is developed.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Agriculture
Live Poll
Should woolgrowers keep paying the 1.5 per cent levy while the new poll is delayed?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed the WoolPoll scheduled for 2027 will not be held. The current wool levy rate of 1.5 per cent remains in place until a new polling arrangement is established.
Why it matters
WoolPoll determines the levy rate paid to Australian Wool Innovation for research, development and marketing, so the delay affects how the industry funds its programs. The change follows the government's modernised primary industries levies legislation, which requires a new polling arrangement before the next poll can proceed.
The wool levy stands at 1.5 per cent of the sale price woolgrowers receive for shorn greasy wool, and it will remain at that rate unless changed under the legislation. The timing of the next WoolPoll, normally held every three years, has not yet been set.
The players
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Australian federal department responsible for agriculture, fisheries and forestry policy, which administers the new primary industries levies legislation and is designing the replacement polling framework.
Australian Wool Innovation
The wool industry research, development and marketing body that receives levy funds determined by WoolPoll and is being consulted on the new arrangements.
The details
The Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel was told on 4 November 2026 that the new WoolPoll arrangement required under the modernised legislation will not be in place for a 2027 poll. The new framework, including nomination of a polling body, is being shaped through consultation with Australian Wool Innovation, woolgrower representative bodies and individual woolgrowers.
Timeline
1 January 2025: New primary industries levies legislation took effect, combining more than 50 acts into five core acts managed by DAFF.
4 November 2026: DAFF confirmed the WoolPoll delay at the Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel.
2027: The scheduled WoolPoll year that will not proceed.
Market Landscape
The delay is a direct result of the modernised primary industries levies legislation, which replaced more than 50 acts with five core acts from 1 January 2025. Because the new framework must be built before any poll can run, the 2027 WoolPoll is being postponed rather than held under the old arrangements.
The current 1.5 per cent wool levy continues to apply to woolgrowers' sales in the meantime. Levy payers should expect updates from Australian Wool Innovation on the timing of the next WoolPoll.
The takeaway
Woolgrowers should keep the current 1.5 per cent levy in mind when planning, as the funding mechanism will not be re-polled in 2027. Staying in touch with Australian Wool Innovation will be the best way to track when the new arrangement takes effect.
Further reading
Explore more Agriculture news for context on how levy and policy changes affect Australian farmers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Countryman.
Live Poll
Should woolgrowers keep paying the 1.5 per cent levy while the new poll is delayed?
