Under its enabling legislation, the Wool Services Privatisation Act 2000, and Statutory Funding Agreement (SFA) AWI must conduct an independent poll of levy payers every three years to determine the amount of levy to be collected from woolgrowers. The levy poll must be conducted in accordance with the Wool Services Privatisation (Wool Levy Poll) Regulations 2003.

Known as “WoolPoll”, the poll gives levy payers the chance to set the rate of wool levy they will pay for the following three years, by voting for their preferred levy rate option. Under the regulations three to five options must be presented to levy payers, including a zero rate. The levy rate that receives the most votes is recommended to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and reflected in relevant primary industries excise legislation.

The poll also asks levy payers to endorse the strategic direction of AWI’s investments – that is, the proportion of levy funds that will be invested in industry research, development and marketing (RD&M) activities for the next three years.

The outcome of the WoolPoll – the levy rate and the proportion of funds to be spent on RD&M – is used to negotiate a new SFA with the Federal Government, which governs AWI’s expenditure and operations for the next three-year period.

The outcome of the poll also forms the basis of AWI’s Strategic Plan (PDF 7.69Mb), which outlines the key investment priorities and activities for the next three years. The plan is based on woolgrower and government priorities for expenditure, which AWI seeks through a robust consultation process during development of the plan.

At the 2009 WoolPoll woolgrowers voted to continue paying a 2% levy to AWI, with 50% to be spent on research and development and 50% on marketing.

The next WoolPoll will be conducted in 2012.