The Australian wool clip, which is primarily Merino, is recognised world-wide for its high quality. Aspects that differentiate Australian wool from that sourced from other countries are:

• Australian Merino wool is well suited to apparel end-use with 83% of the clip less than 24 µm, and 35% less than 20µm.

                                                2008/09 Total Australian clip - micron range

• Australian wool accounts for approximately 50% of the global apparel wool market.
  
  
• The Australian wool industry is committed to the provision of quality assurance processes to ensure the efficient delivery of Australian wool, superior in quality to that sourced elsewhere. Specifically:
  • • Continued efforts by the Australian wool industry to diminish all forms of contamination; for example through careful breeding, flock management and clip preparation. Initiatives include the dark and/or medullated fibre risk (DMFR) scheme and exclusive use of nylon bales.
    • A national registration scheme for wool classers that ensures that Australian wool is prepared for sale in a consistent manner that meets an industry standard. For more information on the AWEX Woolclasser Code of Practice visit http://www.awex.com.au
    • A standardised wool appraisal system (AWEX ID) to take into account other non-measured factors that may influence the performance of the wool in processing.
    • High level of objective specification of Australian wool together with AWEX ID, facilitates realistic price determination and prediction of processing performance.
    • 85% of Australian wool is sold by auction. The auction system utilises registered woolclassers, AWEX ID appraisal on the show floor and objective specification, thus allowing buyers to purchase wool in a straightforward and competitive manner.