Pure Australian tea tree oil is a premium essential oil distilled from the native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. Valued globally for its use in cosmetics, health care, and home care products, it is one of Australia’s most recognised natural products. Tea tree plantations thrive particularly in northern New South Wales and the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland with these regions providing the ideal growing conditions for sustainable tea tree oil production, supporting a strong and competitive Australian tea tree industry.
Tea Tree Oil A new co-funded industry project aims to use nanotechnology to develop a tea tree oil biopesticide that provides prolonged, safe and residue-free flystrike protection for sheep.
3 min read
TEA TREE OIL / 30.07.24 Known for its skin conditioning and antibacterial properties, tea tree oil (TTO) is widely used in the cosmetics industry. A recent review and proposed re-classification of TTO by the European Union Review of Active Chemicals (RAC) as a 1B reproductive toxin, could see the likely ban of products containing TTO within the European Union.
2 min read
TEA TREE OIL / 23.04.24 An investigation characterising the components of essential oil distilled from Australian tea tree will underpin the integrity and value proposition of the local product, and pave the way for access to premium international markets.
5 min read
TEA TREE OIL / 11.03.24 Tea tree oil is relatively well-known for its ability to treat a range of bacterial and fungal infections. However new research has confirmed the homegrown essential oil could also be a valuable tool in the fight against respiratory viruses in humans and livestock.
4 min read
Consumer demand for natural products such as Australian tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is driving researchers to investigate their efficacy against respiratory viruses in humans...
Publication / 52 Pages
The primary objective of the Identifying revenue opportunities for AgriFutures Australia’s rural industries project was to identify potential new and alternate revenue sources within 28...
Publication / 2 Pages
This blueprint serves as a resource for those interested in the tea tree oil industry and provides essential fast facts alongside the fundamental themes highlighted...
Publication / 2 Pages
This publication contains information for the tea tree industry on the use of drones to survey for weed pressure and create spray maps, drone mapping tea tree die back in far north QLD and using drones to identify sprinkler faults in tea tree plantations. It also contains information on the use of EM mapping to assess fallow blocks for tea tree planting.
Fact sheet / 20
Message from the Research Manager, Stephen Taylor As we head into a new research, development and extension (RD&E) period for the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil...
Publication / 36 Pages
You know you pay a tea tree oil levy, but did you know the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program is responsible for managing and investing...
Publication / 6 Pages
Understanding the physical properties of the different soils across your farm and using management practices that maintain a good soil structure, are important for growing...
Publication / 4 Pages
Tea Tree will uptake available chemical nutrients from the soil, in varying amounts, according to stage of tree development and seasonal conditions. While the base...
Publication / 4 Pages
Healthy soils are the foundation for growing a good Tea Tree crop. Undertaking management practices that create the right environment for biological beneficials to thrive...
Publication / 3 Pages
Trees require varying quantities of different nutrients at certain stages of development. If any essential nutrient is not available when required, growth and physiological functions...
Publication
Chemistry Centre (WA)
December 2022 - June 2023
RM Consulting Group Pty Ltd
October 2022 - May 2023
Bite Communications Pty Ltd
June 2022 - May 2027
Curtin University
March 2022 - March 2023
University of New England
August 2020 - August 2021
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
August 2020 - February 2021
Southern Cross University
June 2020 - July 2021
Southern Cross University
September 2019 - May 2020
University of New England
September 2019 - August 2020
The Franklin Institute of Wellness
July 2019 - June 2021
P Guinane Pty Ltd
May 2019 - April 2023
Tony Larkman
March 2019 - October 2019
ATTIA Ltd
March 2019 - May 2020
ATTIA Ltd
March 2019 - July 2020
Flourish Communication
September 2017 - March 2018
ATTIA Ltd
December 2015 - June 2016
ATTIA Ltd
March 2015 - June 2020
The Crown in right of the State of NSW acting through the Department of Primary Industries
October 2014 - August 2017
The Crown in right of the State of NSW acting through the Department of Primary Industries
May 2013 - November 2017
AgEconPlus Pty Ltd
December 2012 - May 2013
Southern Cross University
May 2012 - August 2015
University of Western Australia
July 2011 - March 2015
Australian National University
May 2011 - May 2012
North East Agricultural Services
October 2010 - August 2012
University of Western Australia
September 2010 - November 2010
Australian National University
May 2010 - November 2010
University of Western Australia
October 2009 - August 2011
The Crown in right of the State of NSW acting through the Department of Primary Industries
July 2009 - April 2014
University of Western Australia
July 2009 - September 2011
OLD ABN-The State Of Queensland Acting Through The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
October 2008 - September 2010
Australian National University
April 2008 - September 2008
University of Western Australia
October 2007 - June 2011
The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
September 2006 - December 2017
New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment for and on behalf of the State of NSW - Inactive
July 2006 - April 2010
Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia
June 2006 - September 2008
Australian National University
May 2006 - May 2007
P Guinane Pty Ltd
March 2006 - January 2007
University of Western Australia
September 2005 - May 2008
The AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program invests in targeted tea tree oil research to strengthen the Australian tea tree oil industry. The program addresses challenges such as foreign and adulterated tea tree oil products, supports the long-term sustainability of production, and identifies and manages key regulatory risks.
Its focus is on building a prosperous and competitive tea tree oil industry in Australia through three core objectives:
The AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program RD&E Plan outlines and balances key research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities to drive industry productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
New AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program RD&E Plan coming soon.
Australian primary industries that choose to invest in the levies system prescribe the amount of levy or charge applied to a commodity under the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999, Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999, National Residue Survey (Customs) Levy Act 1998 and the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Act 1998.
Levy and charge revenue can be directed to biosecurity preparedness and emergency plant pest and animal disease responses, residue testing, marketing and research and development. It is the decision of a primary industry to determine the proportion of how a levy or charge is directed to each of these activities.
The Levy is collected and distributed via the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. For more information, visit their website here.
AgriFutures Australia also receives Commonwealth matching funding based on 0.5% of the aggregate GVP of all AgriFutures Australia’s levied industries (Arena 3) or half of AgriFutures Australia’s eligible expenditure – whichever is the lesser. This includes expenditure in non-levied industries Arenas 1, 2 and 4 irrespective of their funding source.
AgriFutures Australia’s Board allocates the Commonwealth matching funding to each levied industry program. The respective programs will receive 50c per dollar of eligible expenditure (subject to availability of Commonwealth matching funding).
The total program budget comprises of the R&D levy allocation, Commonwealth matching funding (allocated by the AgriFutures Australia Board) and third party contributions (where appropriate). The AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program income and expenditure for the previous financial year can be found in the most recent Annual Report via our Corporate Publications page.
Continued investment in tea tree oil research is critical to improving supply, stimulating global demand, and ensuring effective adoption of RD&E outputs. By focusing on innovation and sustainability, the program supports the growth of a strong and competitive Australian tea tree oil industry.
We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders in tea tree oil production—from growers to processors and exporters—to identify key research priorities and direct program investments where they will deliver the greatest impact. The program also works closely with the Tea Tree Oil Advisory Panel, drawing on industry expertise to guide investments that strengthen productivity, profitability, and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Learn about the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Advisory Panel
Learn more about ATTIA Ltd
If you’re passionate about tea tree oil research, growing tea tree or tea tree oil production, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a tea tree grower, researcher, or interested in being involved in the industry, reach out to the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program.
For Project related inquiries:
Caitlin Ginn
Acting Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Tea Tree Oil Program
0437 809 730
For industry and strategic issues and inquiries:
Stephen Taylor
Acting Senior Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries (Tea Tree Oil Program)
0448 810 222
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