Exemption from parts of the wheat port code

��ԭ�� approach to the wheat port code ceasing

The Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct (the code) will cease on 1 October 2026.

Before the code ceases and until there is more certainty about its future:

the ��ԭ�� will pause assessment of exemption applications from ‘new entrants’. New entrants are any port terminal service providers who have entered the market since July 2025.
the ��ԭ�� will not prioritise ensuring compliance by new entrants with the reporting obligations under the code, in particular the requirements to submit port loading statements to the ��ԭ��. Given the code will cease soon, it appears this would be an unnecessary regulatory burden for new entrants.

Existing port terminal service providers who are already complying with the code should continue operating under their current arrangements. The ��ԭ�� will continue monitoring these arrangements.

Read the Sunsetting of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct - ��ԭ�� approach to new entrant port terminal service providers ( PDF 210.94 KB )

Exemptions by the ��ԭ��

We can grant exemptions from parts of the wheat port code

The Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct, often referred to as the Wheat Port Code of Conduct or wheat port code, allows the ��ԭ�� to decide that a port terminal service provider is an exempt service provider for a specified port terminal facility.

Exempt service providers don’t have to comply with the obligations in Parts 3 to 6 of the wheat port code. They must still comply with the obligations in Parts 1 and 2 of the code.

In deciding whether to grant a port terminal service provider an exemption, we must consider 10 matters listed in subclause 5(3) of the wheat port code.

Since introducing the code, the ��ԭ�� has granted exemptions relating to more than 15 port terminal facilities. See wheat port code access exemptions for a list of these exemptions.

We can review exemptions we’ve previously granted

Possible reasons for reviewing an exemption that we’ve previously granted include:

changes in the market
becoming aware of new information that was not considered in making the original decision, or
expected market outcomes did not occur following the decision to exempt, such as exporters not being able to gain fair and transparent access to port terminal services at the facility following the original decision.

We can revoke exemptions

We can also revoke an exemption that we’ve previously granted, if, after considering the 10 matters listed in subclause 5(3) of the wheat port code, we are satisfied that the reasons for granting the exemption no longer apply.

To date, the ��ԭ�� has not revoked an exemption from the wheat port code.

Applying to the ��ԭ�� for an exemption

Port terminal service providers can apply to the ��ԭ�� to be an exempt service provider.

We publish guidelines with:

instructions on how to apply for an exemption
the process we use when deciding to make and revoke exemptions
expected timeframes to make a decision.

See Guidelines on the ��ԭ��’s process for making and revoking exemption determinations.

Exemptions by the Minister to cooperatives

The Minister for Agriculture can decide that a port terminal service provider is an exempt service provider.

The Minister must be satisfied that the port terminal service provider is a cooperative that has:

grain-producer members who represent at least a two-thirds majority of grain-producers within the grain catchment area for the port concerned
sound governance arrangements that ensure the business functions efficiently and allows members influence the management decisions of the cooperative.

To date, the Minister has made one exemption. On 17 November 2014, the Minister found that Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited’s port terminal facilities at Albany, Esperance, Geraldton and Kwinana satisfactorily met the criteria for exemption.

A copy of the Minister’s Notice of Determination of Exemption is available on the .

Wheat port code exemption applications

See a complete list of wheat export projects.

CHSB Bulk Terminal wheat port exemption assessment

On 3 October 2025, CHSB Bulk Terminal Pty Ltd applied to the ��ԭ�� to be an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its port terminal facility at the Port of Geelong.

Plum Grove Logistics wheat port exemption assessment

On 11 March 2025, Plum Grove Logistics Pty Ltd applied to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its port terminal facility at Geraldton.

Commodity Ag wheat port exemption assessment

On 31 May 2023 the ��ԭ�� released a final determination document confirming that it has determined Commodity Ag to be exempt service provider of port terminal services in relation to its port terminal facility at Albany. The exemption was made by notifiable instrument.

T-Ports Wallaroo wheat port exemption assessment

On 4 November 2022, T-Ports Pty Ltd applied to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its port terminal facility currently under construction at Wallaroo.

Pinkenba wheat ports exemption assessments

On 26 August 2022 Bulk Cargo Services Pty Ltd applied to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its port terminal facility at Pinkenba, Queensland.

Port of Portland wheat port exemption assessment

On 3 September 2021, Port of Portland Pty Limited applied to the ��ԭ�� to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its port terminal facility at Portland, Victoria.
On 3 May 2022 the ��ԭ�� released a final determination document confirming that it has determined Port of Portland Pty Limited to be an exempt service provider of port terminal services at its Portland facility. The exemption was made by notifiable instrument.

ADM Trading Australia wheat port exemption assessment

Following pre-lodgement discussions, in January 2021 ADM Trading Australia applied to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services provided through a terminal facility at Port Pirie, South Australia.

Cargill Port Adelaide wheat port exemption assessment

On 30 October 2019, Cargill provided a written application to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services provided by means of its port terminal facility at Port Adelaide, South Australia.

LINX Port Adelaide exemption

On 11 October 2017, the ��ԭ�� granted exempt service provider status to LINX Cargo Care Group at its Berth 29, Port Adelaide facility. Exempt service providers don't have to comply with Parts 3 to 6 of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct.

T-Ports Lucky Bay wheat port exemption assessment

On 28 March 2019, T-Ports provided a written application to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services provided by means of its port terminal facility, which is currently being developed at Lucky Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.

Riordan Grain Services Port of Portland wheat port exemption assessment

On 26 October 2018 the ��ԭ�� released an Issues Paper to commence a public consultation process on the application submitted by Riordan Grain Services.

GrainCorp Port of Portland wheat port exemption assessment

On 29 November 2018, GrainCorp provided a written application to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services provided by means of its port terminal facility at the Port of Portland in Victoria.

Riordan Grain Services Port of Geelong wheat port exemption assessment

On 29 May 2017, Riordan Grain Services submitted an application to be exempted from Parts 3 to 6 of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct. The ��ԭ�� sought additional information from Riordan Grain Services and a revised application was lodged on 31 May 2017.

Semaphore Port Adelaide wheat port exemption assessment

On 28 July 2017, the ��ԭ�� released a final determination granting exempt service provider status to Semaphore at its port terminal facility at Osborne Berth 1, Inner Harbour, Port Adelaide .

Patrick Port Adelaide wheat port exemption assessment

On 1 April 2016 the ��ԭ�� released a final determination granting an exemption to Patrick at its Port Adelaide port terminal facility from Parts 3 to 6 of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct.

Port Kembla wheat ports exemption assessments

A mandatory code on bulk wheat terminal access commenced on 30 September 2014.

Port of Brisbane wheat ports exemption assessments

On 24 September 2015 the ��ԭ�� released final determinations granting exemptions to both GrainCorp and Queensland Bulk Terminals at their respective bulk wheat port terminals at the Port of Brisbane.

Bunbury wheat port exemption assessment

On 24 September 2015 the ��ԭ�� released a final determination granting an exemption to WAPRES at its Bunbury port terminal facility.

Newcastle wheat ports exemptions assessments - NAT and Qube

On 30 July 2015, the ��ԭ�� exempted Newcastle Agri Terminal Pty Ltd's and Qube Holdings Limited's respective bulk wheat terminals at the Port of Newcastle under the mandatory code on bulk wheat terminal access.

Victorian wheat ports exemption assessments

A mandatory code on bulk wheat terminal access commenced on 30 September 2014, replacing the previous access undertakings regime administered by the ��ԭ��. The Wheat Port Code of Conduct regulates bulk wheat port terminal operators to ensure that exporters have fair and transparent access to terminal facilities.

GrainCorp Newcastle exemption

The ��ԭ�� has granted an exemption for GrainCorp’s Carrington terminal at the Port of Newcastle under the new mandatory code on bulk wheat terminal access.

Viterra wheat port exemption assessment

On 2 July 2019, Viterra provided a written application to the ��ԭ�� seeking to be determined an exempt service provider of port terminal services provided by means of all six of their port terminal facilities located in South Australia.

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