​National Wool Declaration

NWD

The National Wool Declaration (NWD) is an industry-supported, voluntary tool that allows Australian wool growers to declare the mulesing status of their wool clip and other key traits. Introduced in 2008, it has become the globally recognised standard for sharing trusted, consistent animal welfare-related information of Australian wool.

By declaring mulesing status, growers contribute to a more transparent supply chain, strengthen buyer confidence, and support access to premium and brand-aligned markets.

To uphold trust in the NWD, AWEX administers the NWD Integrity Program (NWD-IP), a set of desktop reviews and on-farm audits that verifies the accuracy of declarations.

This independent, industry service is delivered by AWEX to support the integrity of Australian wool from grower to customer.

Why the NWD Matters

✓ Provides transparency - Delivers clear, standardised information to buyers at point of sale.

✓ Supports market access - Many brands have sourcing requirements or preferences for non-mulesed wool.

✓ Enables informed buying - Helps buyers assess wool lots quickly and confidently.

✓ Reinforces industry credibility - High levels of NWD adoption signal a commitment to transparency across the supply chain.

About the National Wool Declaration

What is Declared?

The NWD includes the following declaration types:

NWD Mob Declaration Types:

  • Non Mulesed (NM) – Sheep in this mob have not been mulesed or treated with Liquid Nitrogen.
  • Analgesic &/or Anaesthetic (AA) – Sheep in this mob have been mulesed & treated with a registered analgesic &/or anaesthetic product.
  • Liquid Nitrogen (LN) – Sheep in this mob have been treated with Liquid Nitrogen.
  • Mulesed – Sheep in this mob have been mulesed without the use of a registered analgesic &/or anaesthetic product.

NWD Property Declaration:

  • Ceased Mulesing (CM)
    1. No lambs born on this property in the last 12 months have been mulesed, &
    2. No mulesed ewes or wethers have been purchased in the last 12 months.

Why Ceased Mulesing exists:

This declaration supports wool growers who are transitioning away from mulesing, allowing recognition whilst older, previously mulesed sheep remain in the flock and continue to produce wool.

What is Mulesing?

Mulesing is a surgical husbandry procedure performed on sheep, most commonly Merinos, to help prevent breech flystrike, a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by blowflies laying eggs in moist or wrinkled skin.

During mulesing, specially designed mulesing shears are used to remove folds of skin from around the breech (back end) of lambs. The resulting scar tissue is smoother and less prone to moisture and soiling, making it less attractive to blowflies.

Mulesing is typically performed on lambs between 2 and 12 weeks of age, often in combination with other routine husbandry procedures. Pain relief is now widely used and strongly encouraged across the industry.

While mulesing has been an effective method of flystrike prevention in high-risk environments, the industry continues to invest in and promote alternatives, including genetic selection for plain-bodied sheep, and improved management practices.

AWEX acknowledges that many wool growers are actively transitioning away from mulesing, and the broader industry supports long-term efforts to reduce reliance on the practice.

View the latest National Wool Declaration
Auction Data
NWD_Integrity_Program_Logo_Reversed_RGB

To protect the value of the NWD and ensure it remains a trusted tool, AWEX administers the NWD Integrity Program (NWD-IP).

AWEX_NWD_IntegrityProgram

This program includes:

1. Desktop Audit: Validates the correct MS is published (~1500 Declarations p/a)
2. Desktop AA or LN verification: Validates mobs declared as AA or LN (~400 Verifications p/a)
3. On Farm Inspection: Validates mobs declared as NM (or LN), or properties declared as CM (~225 inspections p/a)

From June 2025, AWEX engaged AUS-MEAT to deliver NWD-IP On Farm Inspections on its behalf.

National Wool Declaration (NWD) Resources

What’s New in NWD V10.0

Effective 1 July 2024

The 2023 review of the National Wool Declaration involved extensive industry consultation. AWEX acknowledges the constructive feedback received from organisations and individuals.

The approved key changes to the NWD V10.0 are:

  1. The retention of LN in the NWD, using the current definition.
  2. The current definition (NWD V10.0) of CM be retained with the addition that eligibility for CM is defined within the NWD Definitions/Supporting Explanations viz.
    • Ceased Mulesing (CM):
      • No lambs born on this property in the last 12 months have been mulesed^.
      • No mulesed^ (or AA) ewes or wethers have been purchased in the last 12 months.
        Note: For a property to be eligible for CM status, the answer to both CM property questions must be “NO”.
  3. The definition of NM be changed from “No sheep in this mob have been mulesed or treated with liquid nitrogen” to:
    “Sheep in this mob have not been mulesed or treated with liquid nitrogen.”

IMPORTANT

Industry stakeholders developing documents or stationery must not change any of the definitions or supporting explanations in the NWD V10.0. This is to ensure consistency of the NWD and maximise the integrity of all Australian declarations, and to provide our customers with clarity on each NWD category enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions.

Selling agents are encouraged to adopt NWD V10.0 as soon as they next print shearing stationery.

Downloadable Forms



NWD Standalone Versions

Classer's Specification with NWD

Customisable Word versions available upon request.
Contact us to include your broker logo.

Supporting Materials



Need help or want to customise forms?


Contact AWEX Integrity Services

integrityservices@awex.com.au

(02) 9428 6100

​​​​Frequently Asked Questions

Completing the NWD allows you to clearly communicate the mulesing status of your wool at sale, including whether pain relief was used. This helps buyers assess your wool accurately and may improve market access or pricing opportunities, particularly where specific mulesing information is required. Providing a declaration also avoids your wool being listed as Not Declared (ND) in the sale catalogue.

The NWD must be completed and signed by the owner or manager of the property. A wool classer may fill in the form’s details, but only under clear direction from the owner/manager. By signing the NWD, the owner/manager agrees to participate in the NWD Integrity Programme (NWD-IP), which includes possible selection for audit. Selling agents, buyers, shearers, or other representatives cannot sign the NWD.‎ Signing confirms that the information provided is accurate and truthful.

Mistakes can happen. If any issues are identified before the sale, AWEX administration staff will contact your selling agent, who will in turn reach out to you so the information can be corrected before the wool is sold. Using the WoolClip app is recommended, as it helps improve accuracy and traceability and reduces the chance of errors.

NWD forms can be accessed through your selling agent, AWEX directly, or downloaded from the AWEX website at https://www.awex.com.au/National-Wool-Declaration/

You can use WoolClip, AWEX’s online platform and mobile app, to submit your NWD. Simply log in to the app or website at www.woolclip.com.au

When declaring mulesing status, assess each mob carefully and declare the category that accurately reflects the sheep’s treatment. If a mob contains a mix of sheep with different statuses, use the lowest status in the hierarchy: NM > LN > AA > M > ND.
For example:
• If a mob contains both NM and AA sheep, declare the mob as AA.
• If a mob contains LN and M sheep, declare it as M.

Initial Contact: A Third Party auditor will contact you a few weeks before a planned visit to arrange a suitable time.
The Audit Itself: The auditor will need to physically examine a sample of the mob to verify its mulesing status. This involves running the sheep through a race so the auditor can check for scars consistent with mulesing.