FY26-FY27 Business Plan and Statement of Intent
The APCO Business Plan was released on 01 December 2025. This plan sets a clear and practical pathway for packaging regulation, stewardship and national alignment at a time of rapid change. Developed with extensive member consultation and industry collaboration, the plan strengthens APCO’s role as a system leader and provides businesses with the confidence, clarity and support they need to navigate a more sophisticated regulatory environment.
APCO undertook national consultation with members and stakeholders, and the feedback was clear: there is support for EPR, but only if it is backed by strong, consistent regulation that provides certainty and protects early action. The Business Plan responds directly to this, ensuring APCO’s next phase of work reinforces member leadership and provides the frameworks needed to prepare for what’s ahead.
The plan delivers on the feedback from consultation and outlines a targeted 18-month program of work focused on five core areas:
- Packaging Standards & Design – clearer, more practical guidelines backed by Material Stewardship Committees and updated SPGs that will support better design decisions.
- Australasian Recycling Label – strengthening of the program including enhanced governance and alignment with global best practice.
- Reporting & Packaging Data – simpler processes and better data tools that make reporting easier and more accurate.
- Soft-Plastic Stewardship & EPR – a coordinated industry-led pathway with SPSA and development of a Stewardship Assurance Framework to give members confidence in how they invest in recovery initiatives and support stewardship approaches.
- Government Relations – stronger national advocacy and engagement to reduce inconsistency and ensure member priorities shape future regulation.
Read the full Business Plan to discover how APCO is delivering to make compliance simpler, strengthen national alignment and back member leadership across the system.