The Complete Barcode Guide for Australian Food Manufacturers

Posted: February 04, 2026

Categories: Packaging

The Complete Barcode Guide for Australian Food Manufacturers

Adding barcodes to food packaging is not just about compliance. Barcodes prepare products for retail shelves, enable smooth point of sale scanning, support traceability, and help meet the operational requirements of supermarkets, distributors, and foodservice customers across Australia.

For food manufacturers supplying retail, wholesale, or foodservice channels, getting barcodes right from the start reduces delays, prevents rejected deliveries, and supports long term growth.
This guide explains what Australian food manufacturers need to know about barcodes, from choosing the right type to printing, placement, and rollout.

Why Barcodes Matter for Food Manufacturers

Barcodes make food products retail and distribution ready. They link each product to pricing, inventory, and logistics systems used throughout the supply chain.
For food manufacturers, barcodes support:

Accurate point of sale scanning
Correct pricing and product identification
Inventory and stock control
Efficient receiving at distribution centres
Product traceability across production, transport, and retail

Most major Australian retailers and distributors require barcodes that follow GS1 standards. Without compliant barcodes, products may face delays, rework, or rejection.

Which Barcode Goes on Food Packaging

The correct barcode depends on how the product is sold and handled.

Fixed Weight Products

Examples include packaged snacks, frozen foods, dry goods, confectionery, sauces, and ready meals sold at a fixed weight and price.
These products use an EAN 13 barcode linked to a GTIN. This barcode is scanned at retail checkouts and connects the product to pricing and product data in the retailer’s system.

Very Small Packs

For very small packaging where space is limited, an EAN 8 barcode may be used. These are issued only when size constraints are confirmed and approved.

Variable Weight Products

Products sold by weight, such as fresh foods, deli items, proteins, or prepared foods packed and weighed at production or store level, may use GS1 DataMatrix barcodes.

These two dimensional barcodes can encode multiple data points, making them suitable for short shelf life and variable weight products.

What Information the Barcode Carries
The barcode format determines what information is encoded.

EAN 13 Barcodes
These carry the product’s GTIN only. All pricing and product details are stored in the retailer or distributor system and linked to that number.

GS1 DataMatrix Barcodes

These can encode multiple data elements, including:

Product identification
Net weight
Best before or use by date
Price
Batch or lot number

This supports traceability, recalls, and efficient checkout for variable products.

How to Get Barcode Numbers in Australia

Food manufacturers must obtain barcode numbers directly from GS1 Australia.

Businesses can apply for individual GTINs or a Company Prefix.

A Company Prefix allows the allocation of multiple GTINs across product ranges and packaging levels. This option is generally better for manufacturers planning to expand their range.

GTINs should never be reused for different products or major product changes.

Avoid purchasing barcodes from third party resellers, as these can cause ownership and compliance issues with retailers.

Printing Specifications That Prevent Scan Failures

Correct printing is essential for reliable scanning.

For EAN 13 barcodes:

Print within the recommended size range
Do not reduce or cut the height
Maintain clear quiet zones
Ensure strong contrast between bars and background
Include human readable numbers

For GS1 DataMatrix barcodes:

Use GS1 compliant formatting
Encode correct data fields
Ensure symbol size suits the packaging material
Include readable text where required

Always test print samples on the final packaging material before full production.

Where to Place Barcodes on Food Packaging

Barcode placement has a major impact on scan success.

General placement guidelines:

Place on the back of the pack where possible
Position in the lower right area
Keep clear of edges, folds, seals, and windows
Avoid curved, wrinkled, or textured surfaces

Packaging specific examples:

Bags and pouches should place barcodes away from seals and gussets
Flow wrap products should use vertical bar orientation
Rigid packs should avoid corners and moulded edges
Multipacks must only display the outer pack barcode

During transitions, one dimensional and two dimensional barcodes may appear together and should be positioned close to each other.

Retailer and Distributor Requirements

Large retailers and distributors may apply additional barcode and labelling rules.

Fixed weight consumer packs generally require EAN 13 barcodes. Variable weight items may require GS1 DataMatrix barcodes depending on category and customer.

Outer cartons and pallets must also be labelled correctly to support receiving and traceability.

Verification reports are often required before new products are approved for supply.

Cartons and Pallets for Distribution

Barcodes are required at multiple packaging levels.

Cartons typically use ITF 14 barcodes linked to a GTIN 14. These cartons also display product descriptions, quantities, and handling information.

Pallets use GS1 128 labels with SSCC numbers. These labels link to delivery documentation and improve warehouse efficiency.

Correct logistics labelling reduces delays and errors at distribution centres.

Barcode Verification Prevents Costly Issues

Barcode verification checks print quality, size, contrast, and data structure.

Many retailers require verification before approving new products. Identifying issues early avoids relabelling, rejected deliveries, and delayed launches.

A Practical Barcode Rollout Plan for Food Manufacturers

A structured approach makes barcode implementation easier: