Pure Australian tea tree oil is an essential oil distilled from plantations of Melaleuca alternifolia and can be used in cosmetics, health care and home care products. Tea tree is tolerant of coastal acid sulphate soils and most plantations are located in the coastal region of northern NSW and the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland.
Tea Tree Oil 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
TEA TREE OIL / 14.04.23 Agritech has taken enormous steps in recent times – but on-farm uptake hasn’t advanced at the same pace. Determined to match strides, AgriFutures Australia hosted the inaugural Innovation Intensive Tour in February 2023.
5 min read
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
The Scoping study of integrated pest management (IPM) in tree oil plantations (AgriFutures, March 2021) reports that management of the tea tree psyllid (Trioza melaleucae...
Publication / 1 Page
There are three key factors that impact the result of a spray applications: pH, bicarbonate concentrations, and hardness. Each of these effects the performance of...
Publication / 2 Pages
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 research to address issues associated with foreign and adulterated tea tree oil products, increase the long-term sustainability of production, and the identification and management of regulatory risks. The Program is focused on the development of a prosperous Australian tea tree oil industry with three key objectives:
The AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program RD&E Plan identifies and balances the research, development and extension priorities and outcomes to promote industry productivity, profitability and sustainability.
Download the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program RD&E Plan.
AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program RD&E Plan coming in 2024.
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 the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website
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 graphs below represent the levy breakdown and the annual Program investment.
View the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Program income and expenditure for 2020-21 statement.
Read more about your levy
A continued investment into tea tree oil research will improve supply, increase demand and to provide effective extension of RD&E outputs. We are committed to working closely with all those involved in tea tree oil production to identify research priorities and make Program investments which will have the greatest impact on the industry.
We work closely with Advisory Panels in our larger levied industries to identify research priorities and make Program investments.
Learn about the AgriFutures Tea Tree Oil Advisory Panel
Visit Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA)
For Project related inquiries:
Stephen Taylor
Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries – Tea Tree Oil Program
0448 810 222
Caitlin Ginn
Coordinator, Levied & Emerging Industries – Tea Tree Oil Program
0437 809 730
For industry and strategic issues and inquiries:
Ellen Buckle
Senior Manager, Levied & Emerging Industries (Tea Tree Oil Program)
0477 364 227
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