Australian Wool Innovation Limited

About Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is an industry-owned Research and Development Corporation (RDC) for the Australian wool industry. It invests in research, development, extension and demand creation to increase the profitability, sustainability, and international competitiveness of Australian woolgrowers.

As an industry-owned RDC, AWI is an independent corporate entity governed by expertise-based boards. AWI works with the entire supply chain, including:

• Woolgrowers across Australia (levy payers)
• The Australian Government – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Research providers (e.g., CSIRO, universities)
• Manufacturers and fashion brands (via The Woolmark Company)
• Technology companies and circular economy innovators
• International stakeholders across the wool value chain
• Educators and students
• Consumers 

Funding

• Funded primarily through a wool levy paid by Australian woolgrowers.
• Woolgrowers vote every three years on the percentage of the sale price received for their shorn greasy wool they would like to invest.
• The Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides a matched contribution for qualifying R&D activities, capped at 0.5% of the gross national value of wool production.
• The sale of Woolmark licenses is one of the other sources of income for AWI.

Strategic Priorities

AWI invests in research and projects that align with their strategic priorities and annual operating plan. These priorities are listed above and outlined in the AWI Strategic Plan 2025-2028.

1. Grow demand and fibre advocacy
   • Demand creation: Investment in the marketing of Australian wool to increase demand for the fibre
   • Fibre advocacy: international legislation and market share: Boost fibre awareness and emphasise wool’s advantages
   • Product innovation: Partner with manufacturers and brands to carry out R&D, technology transfer and commercialisation of new wool processes and product lines
   • Emerging markets: Pursue the development of potential new processing and manufacturing markets for Australian wool to help reduce the risk of relying on a limited number of markets
2. Sustainable and profitable wool-growing
   • Research, productivity and profitability: Invest in R&D and extension to help woolgrowers increase their productivity and reduce their costs of production, which are key elements for improving woolgrowers’ profitability
   • Environmental and financial sustainability: Progress the Woolmark+ roadmap in response to the increasing consumer and regulatory demands for low-impact products.
   • Wool harvesting: Continue AWI’s multi-pronged training and technological approach to make wool harvesting easier and more cost-effective for woolgrowers and the industry