Australia care labelling for clothing and textiles: the mandatory standard
Clothing, household textiles, bedding, upholstered furniture and many other textile and leather goods sold in Australia must carry care instructions under a mandatory information standard. Since the transition periods of the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 have ended, suppliers can give the care instructions in English words, with the international care symbols of ISO 3758, or both.
Checked against official sources: 2026-10
At a glance
What the care label must say
The Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 is a mandatory standard enforced by the ACCC. It is based on sections of AS/NZS 1957:1998 and on ISO 3758:2012, the international care labelling code using symbols. After a first transitional period of 6 months and a second of 12 months from commencement on 5 September 2023, goods must comply either with the Australian/New Zealand-based requirements in section 11 or with clause 4 of the international standard in section 12.
In practice, suppliers may give care instructions written in English, use the 5 internationally recognised care symbols, or do both, and may add other languages. Instructions in words must be in English and clearly legible, and include cleaning instructions and, where necessary, maintenance instructions. For articles that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned, the permanent label must include appropriate instructions in words.
Products covered and excluded
- Covered: clothing and apparel, household textiles, furnishings and upholstered furniture
- Covered: bedding, mattresses and bed bases, piece goods and yarns made from textiles
- Covered: plastic and plastic-coated fabrics, suede, skins, hides, leathers and furs
- Excluded: second-hand goods, single-use disposable articles and medical goods
- Excluded: most footwear (hosiery and textile materials for making footwear are covered), and all bags and cases
- Excluded: items such as handkerchiefs, belts, headwear and most non-upholstered furnishings and haberdashery
Permanent labels and alternatives
Care instructions are normally given on a permanent label attached to the article. Certain made-up goods, such as collars, gloves, hosiery, washable nappies and tea towels, may instead carry the instructions on a removable ticket or label attached to the goods, or printed on the wrapper or packaging.
Suppliers must meet the mandatory standard, and fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply, so an overseas manufacturer should agree with its Australian importer whose care label design will be used before production. Using the ISO 3758 symbols together with English words lets one label serve several markets, but check the care symbol rules of each destination, such as JIS L 0001 in Japan.
Step by step
- Check whether your product is covered or excluded under the standard.
- Run care tests and decide the cleaning and, where needed, maintenance instructions.
- Write the instructions in clear English, use the 5 ISO 3758 symbols, or both.
- Attach a permanent label, or for goods such as gloves, hosiery or tea towels, a removable ticket or packaging print where allowed.
- Confirm the label artwork with your Australian importer before production.
Documents you usually need
- Care test results for the fabric and product
- Care label artwork in English and/or ISO 3758 symbols
- Product list showing which items are covered or excluded
- Importer's approval of the label design
- Supplier records of compliance with the information standard
Common problems and how to avoid them
What to do: Use English words, the ISO 3758 symbols, or both; other languages can only be added on top.
What to do: Leathers, skins, hides and furs are covered; add care instructions.
What to do: Under the Australian/New Zealand-based option, the permanent label for such articles must include appropriate instructions in words.
What to do: Most footwear is excluded, but hosiery and textile materials for making footwear are covered.
Sources
- Care labelling for clothing & textiles Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Product Safety Australia
- Care labelling for clothing and textiles mandatory standard Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Product Safety Australia
- Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government
Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.
Port codes by country
Trade notes
Common questions
Are care labels mandatory in Australia?
Yes, for clothing, household textiles, furnishings, upholstered furniture, bedding and other covered goods under the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023.
Can I use care symbols instead of words in Australia?
Yes. Suppliers may use English instructions, the 5 international care symbols of ISO 3758, or both.
Which products are excluded from care labelling?
Exclusions include second-hand goods, most footwear, all bags and cases, single-use disposable articles and medical goods.
Does the care label have to be sewn in?
Usually a permanent label is used, but goods such as collars, gloves, hosiery, washable nappies and tea towels may use a removable ticket or the packaging.
What happens if a product has no care label?
Fines and penalties may apply to suppliers that fail to comply with the mandatory information standard.
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