October 2026

September was particularly busy with international engagements and impactful initiatives shaping the future of standards.

We recently received news from Peter Roberts OAM, Australian High Commissioner regarding AU$4 million in funding under the Australia-Fiji Vuvale Union Treaty to support standards and quality infrastructure. To initiate Standards Australia’s involvement, Jesse Riddell, Head of International and Kamala Truelove, Head of International Strategy, Partnerships and Impact, met with Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and senior officials to discuss how we can best align with their specific priorities. By helping to improve local regulation and facilitate trade, we will contribute to standards that support increased trust in everyday products and processes.

In September, I also attended the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) Immersion Week and Global Leaders Forum. It was a great opportunity to engage with innovators and give support to the Australia-India Standards Trade Enabling Project, strengthening ties between our nations.

I also recently joined Brad Vermeer, Chief of Staff and Karen Batt, Chief of Engagement, Standards and International Relations along with our Board members in New Zealand to meet with Standards New Zealand. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with our trans-Tasman partners, including the Prime Minister, to reinforce the role of standards in supporting economic growth and trade.

Having recently wrapped up the ISO Annual Meeting on 2 October, I am carrying this collaborative focus forward after working alongside global stakeholders and decision-makers on shared priorities and practical outcomes. Our active participation at this level is important: it ensures Australia has a strong voice in shaping international standards, allows us to bring Australian perspectives and expertise to global discussions, and helps us anticipate developments that will affect our economy and community. This engagement will continue at the IEC Annual Meeting in Hamburg on 16–20 November.

Back home, Standards Australia continues to bring global best practices to our local community. This month we published the new edition of the globally recognised framework for quality management systems requirements, AS/NZS ISO 9001:2026 just two days after the international release. This standard is designed to help organisations naturally embed quality into every aspect of their work, supporting smoother processes and better performance and, ultimately, satisfied customers.

We also celebrated the conclusion of our NEXTgen 2026 program. Over six months, our 24 graduates gained hands-on experience to develop a deep understanding of what it takes to shape standards and effectively contribute to a technical committee. This important program continues in 2027 with an increased intake of 50 places. Applications close on Friday 23 October – you can apply here.

Together, these programs show how standards continue to strengthen regional capabilities, building trust and long-term resilience across our communities. I invite you to follow Standards Australia on LinkedIn and continue to read our emails to stay up to date.

Thank you for your continued support and for delivering meaningful impacts for Australia.

Members of the Standards Australia executive team and Board recently visited New Zealand to reinforce the role of standards in trans-Tasman economic growth and trade, and strengthen the relationship between our national standards bodies.

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Standards Australia has recently published AS/NZS ISO 9001:2026 for use in Australia and New Zealand, the new edition of the internationally recognised framework for quality management system requirements. ISO 9001:2026 was published internationally on 16 September, and Standards Australia formally adopted it just two days later. This marks the fastest adoption of an International Standard in Standards Australia’s history. The adoption maintains alignment between Australia and global best practice in quality management systems.

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Strengthening standards capability across Fiji will help remove compliance friction, protect local communities and create reliable pathways for regional commerce. It helps to deliver less risk, smoother projects and more certainty for businesses across the Pacific.

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Learn more about our international initiatives and how to get involved.

Check out the latest standards development in your industry.

Explore emerging themes and projects that advance safety and drive economic growth in Australia and across the region.

Help us keep Australians safe! Our public comment phase provides an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to make valuable contributions.

Draft standards open for comment