What this class covers
ANZSIC class 3602 categorises Australian businesses primarily engaged in wholesaling fresh, chilled, or frozen meat, poultry, and smallgoods. This classification applies to specialist distributors who focus specifically on these protein products rather than general grocery lines. These businesses typically operate as intermediaries between producers (abattoirs, processors) and retailers (butchers, supermarkets, restaurants) or other wholesale customers.
Common examples include: a specialist beef wholesaler supplying premium cuts to high-end restaurants; a frozen poultry distributor providing chicken products to supermarket chains; a smallgoods specialist wholesaling bacon, ham and sausages to independent butchers; a rabbit meat supplier serving niche markets; or a combined meat and poultry distributor serving the hospitality industry. These operations must have wholesaling as their primary activity rather than retailing directly to consumers.
This classification is used across Australian government systems including business registration, tax reporting, industry statistics collection, and regulatory compliance. It helps identify businesses operating in the specific protein wholesale sector for policy development and industry analysis.
Primary activities in plain English
Businesses in this class primarily engage in:
- Wholesaling fresh, chilled or frozen meat (excluding canned products)
- Distributing poultry products including chicken, turkey and other fowl (excluding canned)
- Wholesaling smallgoods such as bacon, ham and sausages
- Supplying rabbit meat to commercial customers
- Operating as specialist meat, poultry or smallgoods distributors
These activities involve bulk sales to businesses rather than direct consumer retail, and typically require specialized cold storage and logistics capabilities.
Exclusions and nearby codes
ANZSIC 3602 has specific exclusions that fall under other classifications:
Businesses wholesaling canned meat, poultry and smallgoods are classified under ANZSIC 3609 (Other Grocery Wholesaling). This distinction separates fresh/frozen protein products from preserved canned goods.
Operations that wholesale meat, poultry and smallgoods as part of a broad grocery range fall under ANZSIC 3601 (General Line Grocery Wholesaling). This exclusion ensures that businesses primarily focused on protein products are separated from general grocery distributors who carry these items among many others.
Retail butchers and supermarkets selling directly to consumers would be classified under retail trade divisions rather than wholesale classifications.
Practical guidance
When registering your business with the Australian Business Register, you'll need to select your main business activity. ANZSIC 3602 corresponds to Business Industry Code (BIC) 36020, which should be used for ABN registration and Business Activity Statements.
Businesses in this classification typically need to register for GST if turnover exceeds $75,000 annually, and must comply with food safety regulations including HACCP plans and cold chain management requirements. Workers' compensation premiums may be influenced by this classification, as meat wholesaling involves specific risks including manual handling and cold environment work.
Industry grants or assistance programs may use this classification to identify eligible businesses. When completing tax returns or dealing with government agencies, consistent use of this classification helps ensure accurate reporting and compliance.