Your Guide to Product Packaging in Australia: What You Need to Know

You’ve put in the work – developing the product, perfecting its design, and making sure it fits your target market. But when it comes to packaging, many business owners and product developers overlook the complexities that come with it. In Australia, packaging isn’t just about protecting your product or making it visually appealing—it’s about meeting strict regulations, ensuring sustainability, and balancing practicalities like cost and functionality. Whether you’re a startup navigating your first launch or a seasoned brand looking to refine your packaging, the path to compliant and effective packaging can be full of unexpected challenges.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get your product packaging right—from the types of packaging materials best suited to your product, to staying compliant with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and managing your design process from concept to production.

Where to Start?

When thinking about product packaging in Australia, it’s essential to first determine what kind of packaging fits your product. There are a variety of materials and designs that you can choose from, but each comes with its own set of considerations. Whether it’s for sustainability, compliance, or functionality, choosing the right packaging sets the tone for your product in the market.

Using advanced Fashion PLM software can streamline your entire process from concept to production.

Types of Packaging

Here are the most commonly used types of packaging in Australia:

• Boxes: Widely used for product packaging, boxes come in various forms such as mailer boxes, product boxes, clamshell boxes, and set-up boxes. Ensure that your box packaging complies with APCO guidelines, which support the use of recyclable or compostable options.
• Tubes: These can be made from cardboard or metal and are popular for packaging items like cosmetics or small products. They offer a premium look while being functional and sustainable.
• Bagasse: This sugarcane-based material offers a sustainable option for custom packaging designs. It’s compostable and becoming more popular for businesses looking to reduce plastic use.
• Pouches: Compostable stand-up and flat pouches are now commonly used in industries like food and health. They offer a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic pouches.
• Labels: Compostable and eco-friendly labels, such as eco-vinyl waterproof labels, are essential for brands aiming to maintain their environmental credentials.
• Bags: For businesses looking to incorporate reusable elements, tote bags made from materials like hessian or hemp are a great option, promoting reusability and sustainability.
• Large Corrugated Boxes: Suitable for heavy-duty products like bikes, refrigerators, or televisions, corrugated boxes provide the necessary protection during shipping and handling.
• Custom Inserts: Made from moulded bagasse or eco-star card stock, custom inserts offer extra protection and visual appeal inside the package.
• Bottles: Sustainable bottles made from ocean plastic, PCR plastic, or glass offer a more eco-conscious choice.

How to Get the Accurate Design to Actual Packaging?

Getting from design concept to final packaging is a crucial step in product development. The challenge is ensuring that the design is practical, cost-effective, and stays true to your brand while meeting regulatory standards. Here are three key elements to focus on:

• Print File:
  Ensure that your print file is created with precision using high-quality templates that accurately reflect your design and packaging dimensions.
• Sampling:
  Always order samples before full-scale production. This step allows you to spot potential issues early on and make necessary adjustments.
• Base Template:
  Use a base template as a starting point to ensure industry-standard specifications, saving time and avoiding costly errors during production.

Packaging Compliance: What You Need to Check

Before you finalise your packaging, ensure it complies with all relevant regulations. Packaging compliance involves meeting Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and industry-specific guidelines. Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:

1. Are you making a country of origin claim?
   Make sure your claim is compliant with the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard.
2. Does your product use electricity, water, or fuel?
   Check if there are specific energy efficiency or rating label requirements that apply.
3. Does your product contain any chemicals?
   Follow the labelling regulations set by Safe Work Australia for hazardous substances.
4. Is your product a cosmetic?
   Ensure it complies with the mandatory standard for ingredient labelling outlined by the ACCC.
5. Is your product a therapeutic good?
   Follow the labelling and packaging standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
6. Are you selling a food product?
   Ensure compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
7. Are you importing or exporting your product?
   Meet trade description standards to avoid delays or confiscations by the Australian Border Force.
8. Are you selling your products in a pre-packaged form?
   Comply with national trade measurement laws, which govern proper labelling of weight, volume, or quantity.
9. Check if your product has safety labelling requirements
   Ensure any safety labelling is aligned with product-specific standards.

Leveraging SupplyScope to Streamline Your Packaging Process

Packaging errors, like printing the wrong file, are more common than you’d expect. We’ve seen this happen often before businesses adopt SupplyScope. With SupplyScope’s Product Information Management (PIM) feature, you can store all packaging data in one place. This ensures everyone, from designers to compliance specialists, has access to the most up-to-date information. This prevents costly errors and keeps your product launch on track.

Additionally, SupplyScope’s Workflow Management feature makes it easier to bring together your entire team. Designers, compliance specialists, and other stakeholders can collaborate on one platform, saving hours spent on chasing feedback and gathering scattered communication. With all information in one place, you’ll streamline the packaging development process, resulting in quicker turnaround times and reduced errors.

APCO Recycled Content Guide

For businesses focusing on sustainability, incorporating recycled materials into your packaging is becoming a necessity. The APCO Recycled Content Guide provides clear and practical information on how to integrate recycled content in your packaging. It also explains the environmental benefits and the growing public expectations for packaging to meet the 2025 National Packaging Targets. This resource is an essential read for any business working towards sustainable packaging practices.