Seed certification
Seed Services Australia offers a seed certification service to seed growers and companies.
Seed certification is based on evidence and field inspections to ensure that the genetic identity and purity of a variety is maintained from one generation to the next.
Seed certification schemes
Seed is certified according to national and international standards.
Seed Services Australia offers the following accredited certification schemes:
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA)
- Australian Seed Certification Scheme.
Growing certified seed
Anyone can grow certified seed provided the sowing seed and crop site meets production requirements.
Certified seed growers must be able to:
- select paddocks free of prohibited weeds
- obtain the required generation or class of certified seed for crop establishment
- maintain paddock records
- implement practices for weed control and cleaning of machinery.
Seed certification is voluntary. Growers can opt in or out at any time.
How to apply
- If you are a new grower or have not grown certified seed in the last 5 years, contact us at least 3 weeks before sowing.
- Complete the seed certification application form ( ).
- Post the completed application, all sowing labels, and a farm map to Seed Services Australia.
Existing perennial crops
Growers with existing perennial crops will be mailed an application form in September for perennial clovers, grasses and lucerne. This form will list existing crops and new season sowings eligible for a pre-harvest inspection.
Further information
The Seed Certification Manual ( ) has more information about seed production, processing and testing.