Michael Jackson is the Managing Director of AWTA, the Australian Wool Testing Authority. In this Wool Academy Podcast Michael explains how wool testing works. In particular he explains what wool tests are applied to each bale of wool and what the...
AWTA's history is synomonous with the transformation of wool production, marketing, valuing and processing from a reliance on subjective appraisal to objective systems of assessment. AWTA Ltd, and its objective Raw Wool measurement services, has played...
From 2 July 2025 AWTA will make wool production data based on State of production rather than State of storage and sampling. Previously, the volume of wool tested, or "Key Test Data" was reported based on the State or location where the wool was stored...
AWTA Raw Wool provides independent and objective wool certification services. Major services provided are sampling, testing and certifying the yield, fibre diameter, vegetable matter content, staple length and staple strength of greasy wool before it...
REX Bennett’s innovation and dedication to improving his clients’ bottom line has bagged him the title of Wool Broker of the Year. The Wangaratta-based Elders representative was shortlisted to present at the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of...
A video demonstrating the features and benefits of using the Wool ComfortMeter is now available. The Wool ComfortMeter is an instrument capable of objectively measuring the comfort of garments when worn next to skin, in particular garments containing...
AWTA offers a wide range of online and electronic services including: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) TOPMARK TM Benchmarking Combined Certificates & Objectively Matched Lots (OMLs) Electronic Certificates including Chinese translations Online...
Average Yellowness is an important characteristic of wool because it is related to dyeing performance and it is not necessarily related to the colour of Greasy Wool. Considerable quantities of wool are typed as H1 (Light unscourable Colour), H2 (Medium...
AWTA will be upgrading the internal laboratory data capture and certification systems in the Melbourne Raw Wool Laboratory effective Monday 4th June 2018. One of AWTA Ltd’s main business objectives is to continuously improve the performance of its...
AWTA Ltd realises that the trading of Australian wool critically depends on the test results we produce. I’d like to assure you that AWTA Ltd is taking all practical steps it can in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia and has in place...
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved AWTA Raw Wool website. The launch of the new website, with a fresh new look and modern design offers quick and user-friendly navigation to essential information on Wool Testing and the...
Due to rain causing minor flooding and traffic delays last night, any wool samples collected from Dubbo, Parkes, Forbes and Grenfell on Tuesday, 13 September 2016 did not meet the Southbound service in time for delivery to the Melbourne wool testing...
Entries are now open for the Australian Fleece Competition, to be held as part of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo Victoria 17-19 July 2015. The competition is a joint partnership between Australian Wool Testing Authority, Landmark &...
AWTA Raw Wool is the largest Wool Test House in the world, and Australia is the world's largest producer of apparel wool. Virtually all wool produced in Australia is now presale tested and AWTA Certificate Database contains all this objectively...
AWTA Raw Wool manufactures or subcontracts the manufacturing of most of the equipment that is used in its laboratories. Much of this is specialised equipment that cannot be obtained from other sources. AWTA is the largest supplier of wool testing...
The monthly comparisons of Total Lots, Bales and Weight tested for June 2025 compared with the same period last season are: -12.0%, -13.7% and -13.7% respectively. The progressive comparison of Total Lots, Bales and Weight tested for July 2024 to June...
The Dark Fibre Testing service offered by AWTA is targeted at white-wool growers who are attempting to manage contamination from exotic sheep breeds, or who wish to monitor the contamination in lots carrying a high risk of contamination. Two...
AWTA China Manager, Mr Robert Wang Robert Wang has retired as an AWTA employee, effective 30 June 2023. Robert has been involved in the wool industry for over 30 years, starting with the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC) in the 1990's and joining AWTA...
Peter & Jayne Lette from Conrayn Merino Stud, Berridale, NSW, have won the prestigious Grand Champion prize at this year’s Australian Fleece Competition. This is the second Grand Champion title awarded to Conrayn Merino Stud, who previously won in...
The analysis identifies and quantifies the residual level APEO (Alkylphenolethoxylates) compounds in semi-processed wools (scoured, carbonised or wool top). Concerns over the toxicity and ecological impact of these compounds have seen restrictions put...
The Board and Management of AWTA have announced that there will be no increase in general raw wool fees for the 2019/20 wool selling season, commencing 1st July 2019. AWTA is acutely aware of the tough seasonal and trading conditions experienced by...
Research & Development plays a major part in the development of AWTA Raw Wool. Based in Melbourne, the Research & Engineering group forms the largest wool measurement and engineering research group in the wool industry. Work conducted by the group...
The sale of fleeces donated by participants of the Australian Fleece Competition have raised more than $11,000 for Diabetes Australia. In its 16th year, the fleeces donated by participants of the Australian Fleece Competition have raised more than...
TOPMARK is a free benchmarking service for processing mills and topmakers around the world. Independent trials have established there is a strong correlation between the predictive formulae used in this service and the processing performance of wool...
AWTA’s Raw Wool operations are always looking for ways to reduce testing costs in order to keep testing fees to customers as low as possible. Electricity is a significant cost in wool testing, particularly in Western Australia, which provided the...
The electronic distribution of data is an integral part of AWTA’s services. Through our Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) facilities, AWTA provide electronic data for virtually every test we undertake. Customers can improve service turnaround and...
Samples of fleece wool that are taken from individual sheep are submitted by sheep breeders and wool growers for the routine measurement of Fibre Diameter (micron) using a Laserscan instrument. This instrument provides other data in conjunction with...
After 23 years of service, Chairman Donald McGauchie retires from the AWTA Ltd Board. Donald McGauchie AO, Chairman of AWTA Ltd retires today after 23 years of service. Donald was appointed as an independent Director in 1999, Deputy Chairman in 2001...
Summary Before requesting any of the services associated with the downloadable documents below, it is your responsibility to ensure that you familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions associated with those services. By requesting any of the...
In an effort to remain financially viable over the years, the wool industry's peak testing organisation, the Australian Wool Testing Authority, has diversified into other industries. And it's a strategy that's paid off given the declining volume of...
General wool testing fees remain unchanged with no increase for the 2017/18 wool selling season commencing 1st July 2017. The total cost for testing a typical 7 bale lot, including a Staple Length & Strength test, will remain at $74.20 ex GST. Click...
General wool testing fees have increased by 1.5% for the 2016/17 wool selling season, effective from 1st July 2016. The total cost for testing a typical 7 bale lot, including a Staple Length & Strength test, will increase by $1.10 from $71.27 to...
General wool testing fees have increased by 2.5% for the 2015/16 wool selling season, effective from 1st July 2015. The total cost for testing a typical 7 bale lot, including a Staple Length & Strength test, will increase by $1.83 from $71.27 to...