The AFSA has recognized the importance of promoting professional conduct and a professional image for its members. Codes of Practice and the Fertcare training and accreditation program are the industry standards for operators, and give customers confidence in the service they can expect to receive.

The overall aim of the Codes of Practice is to minimize the detrimental impact of the fertiliser on land, water and air resources, whilst ensuring a sustainable and profitable future for both the fertiliser industry and agriculture in general.

The Australian Government National Landcare Program has provided significant funding for these initiatives, in recognition of their importance to improved natural resource management across Australia. Fertcare has been developed in partnership with the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia.

The Fertcare program is delivered at a range of levels. For people involved in fertilizer logistics, the program includes modules for Product Knowledge, Transport, Storage and Spreading. These modules are based on the AFSA Codes of Practice, and are delivered in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Fertcare also includes the accreditation of fertilizer spreading machinery. Accu-Spread is a testing and accreditation program that ensures a spreading machine can apply fertilizer evenly across the paddock – maximizing productivity and minimizing environmental damage. It allows operators to determine how wide and how evenly their machinery is spreading.

Lists of Accu-Spread accredited machines and Fertcare accredited business can be found in the following files.
List Accu-Spread Spreaders      Fertcare Licensed Business List

Further information about Fertcare, including contact information for Fertcare trainers and Accu-Spread testing officers can be found at www.fertcare.com.au.  

	Storage Protect the environment, prevent product contamination and exercise duty of care. Read Code of Practice.
	Transport Ensuring trucks are clean to prevent contamination, reducing spillage, ensuring drivers are operating safely and minimising risk. Read Code of Practice.
	Spreading Minimising environmental damage, nutrient runoff and demonstrating duty of care. Testing spreaders for accurate delivery and even application. Read Code of Practice.
	Product Knowledge Appropriate advice pertaining to soil management and crop production. Read Code of Practice.