The National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations

Have your say

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About

The National Code of Practice for Remote Store Operations (the Code) is a non-prescribed voluntary code for remote community stores across Australia, planned to commence 1 July 2025. 

We are seeking your feedback on the implementation of the Code to support its finalisation and inform the support and communication needed to support remote stores meet the standards of the code. 

The Code is currently in draft form and may be subject to change before finalised.

View the draft Code

Background

  • The Code will support food security in remote communities by outlining minimum standards for governance, operations and health promotion in community stores.
  • The Code aims to further progress on Closing the Gap outcomes and contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • The Code will complement the Remote Retail pillar of the National Strategy for Remote Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
  • The Code was designed in partnership with members of the Strategy Project Reference Group and industry experts.
  • Signing up to the Code will demonstrate a store’s commitment to providing food security for the communities they serve. The Code is not intended to replace existing legislation, policy or regulations at local, state or federal government levels, but to bring about increased capacity within the remote grocery store retail industry.
  • The Code is a National Code and separate to the licensing regime currently being developed and implemented in the Northern Territoy. Both Governments have been working together to ensure both the code and NT licensing scheme work together.

Consultation so far 

Key recommendations from the 2020 HORSCIA Inquiry were that ‘the Australian Government, in partnership with the States and Territories and First Nations people, develop a strategy for food security and nutrition for remote First Nations communities’, and that ‘the Australian Government institute a national scheme of licensing and inspection of remote community stores’.

As a result, the National Strategy for Food Security in Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (the Strategy) has been developed.

Strategy Goal: achieve equitable food security for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a focus on addressing social determinants of health.

The Strategy is a result of a partnership between the Commonwealth government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health peak organisations, and state and territory governments, and included in its development (throughout 2024):

  • 21 face-to-face community consultations in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, with 378 participants
  • 10 face-to-face regional forums, with 128 participants
  • 44 online submissions
  • 3 online public consultations, with 27 participants.

The Strategy identifies seven pillars of food security which reflect advice from, and experience of, these remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. One of these pillars is ‘remote retail’, where remote stores and other food outlets are responsive to, and meet the needs of community. 

The Code was included in the Strategy discussion paper released in May 2024. During consultations, community members gave strong feedback that:

  •  Community stores play a vital and pivotal role in ensuring access to essential goods and services.
  • There are aspirations for greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community member involvement in the governance, management, and local staffing of remote community stores. 

The development of the Code supports this aspiration for improved standards for remote stores.

How to sign up

Once the Code is finalised it will be published on the NIAA website, with relevant guidance material and template/information on how to sign up to the Code. 

Find out more

For more information on NIAA’s approach to Food security please visit: Food security in remote First Nations communities | NIAA

To find out more please contact us via: remotefoodsecurity@niaa.gov.au

Have Your Say

Through the Have Your Say consultation process, NIAA is interested in testing the information in the Code, as well as identifying areas where support is needed to enable remote stores to adhere to the Code. Feedback will be used to finalise the Code and inform support and training available to help stores meet and exceed the standards set in the code.

Privacy 

Please refer to the Website Privacy Notice, which describes what kind of information is being collected and how it will be used.

Would you agree that the standards in the Code would improve satisfaction of the Store in your community?
Would you agree that the standards in the Code would improve the likelihood of healthy purchases in your community?
How easy would it be for your Store to meet the standards set in the Code rules?
How easy would it be for your store to meet the Governance Standards outlined in the Code?
How easy would it be for your store to meet the Operations Standards outlined in the Code?
How easy would it be for your store to meet the Health Standards outlined in the Code?
How much support would be required to help your Store follow the Code rules?
What kind of support would you require to follow the Code rules?
Please check all that apply.
How likely is it that your store will sign up to the Code?

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