What is NIASA? Why consider NIASA for your business? How does NIASA accreditation work? NIASA Best Management Practice Guidelines Find an NIASA accredited business NIASA Administration Contact us to find out more Industry Development Officers National Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia Committee

NIASA (Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia) is a national scheme for production nursery (growers) and growing media (potting mix) businesses which operate in accordance with a set of national 'best practice' guidelines.

Any wholesale/production nursery or growing media/potting mix manufacturer in Australia can join NIASA if they implement the NIASA Best Practice Guidelines. Membership is totally voluntary and participants are not required to belong to a Nursery & Garden Industry Association.

NIASA can help your business by improving customer confidence and improving your business's efficiency through best management practice.

• As a NIASA business you can be certified under the additional programs of EcoHort and Biosecure HACCP



• Customers know that the product they buy from a NIASA accredited business has been produced under industry recognised best management practices that have been audited at least annually.



• Accredited media manufacturers have an immediate marketing advantage for supply to NIASA production nurseries, which prefer accredited suppliers.



• Many government departments and large landscape contractors now prefer to buy from NIASA nurseries. It is recognised and supported by many State/Territory Departments of Agriculture.



• The Industry Development Officer or NIASA Technical Officer is available for information, interpretation and advice on crop hygiene and management practices, environmental, staff, government regulations and continuous improvement issues.



• The implementation of the Guidelines is a way of involving staff, as a team, in achieving Best Practice standards.



• Joining NIASA also projects a positive public image due to the guidelines requiring a demonstrated commitment to efficient and environmentally conscious water management, plant nutrition and pest management.

The NIASA Best Practice Guidelines can be used as a reference for the professional operation of production nurseries and growing media supplier businesses. They are also used as the mechanism for assessment to gain and maintain NIASA accreditation status.

The guidelines describe industry 'Best Management Practices', spelling out technical and management requirements. They are reviewed regularly and updates are available for purchase. They have been divided into four major sections plus the appendices:

Crop hygiene The prevention of root disease Disease pest and weed control Crop management practices Nutrition and environment control General site maintenance Professional image and appearance Staff facilities and safety measures Training and continuous improvement Environmental performance Product quality and meeting customer expectations Water Management Efficient irrigation Waste water re-use Sediments and litter Nutrients in waste water Contamination of waste water with plant protection products Appendices including: Information for suppliers of growing media and growing media ingredients Sampling and detecting major plant pathogens inputted plants Potting mixes, soil and water supplies, disinfestation procedures for nursery growing media Sample recording sheets Information on inground production

To complement the introduction of the new Water Management chapter, the Nursery Industry Water Management Best Practice Guidelines have been updated and are available for download here. They also form Appendix 13 in the 3rd edition of the NIASA Best Practice Management Guidelines, updated in 2005.

The NIASA Best Practice Guidelines have been developed over a period of years by respected industry representatives and researchers. Guidelines are regularly reviewed, ensuring they cover relevant and current production and environmental issues.

To purchase the NIASA Best Practice Guidelines and available updates click here.

To obtain a list of Nurseries and Growing Media Suppliers accredited under the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA) click on the PDF below. The listing is in alphabetical order on a State-by State basis according to the location of the business. NIASA accredited nurseries and growing media suppliers (24 Kb) For an up-to-date list of NIASA accredited business, click here to contact the relevant State or Territory Nursery & Garden Industry Association.

The scheme members are responsible for the administration of NIASA. State/Territory NIASA Committees consist of representatives from a wide range of businesses. They accredit applicants on the basis of the Industry Development Officer's reports whilst ensuring complete confidentiality of the applicants by use of a numbering system. Sensitive information given to the Industry Development Officer is kept confidential.

The National Accreditation Committee administers the scheme nationally on behalf of the Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA). They facilitate implementation of NIASA and coordinate promotion, marketing and technical improvements or updates to the NIASA Best Practice Guidelines.

Don't hesitate - contact the Industry Development Officer in your state or territory to find out more about how you can benefit from the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia.