The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has authorised the commercial release of safflower genetically modified for high oleic acid composition.
In a statement, the regulator said the GM safflower and products derived from the GM safflower may enter the market for use in industrial oil production and animal feed.
"There is no intention to use the GM safflower in human food," it said.
According to the regulator, the risk assessment and risk management plan (RARMP), as well as the licence, were finalised with input received from the the public, state and territory governments, Australian government agencies, the environment minister, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and local councils.
The finalised RARMP has concluded the commercial release poses "negligible risks to people and the environment" and does not require specific risk treatment measures. General licence conditions have been imposed to ensure ongoing oversight of the release, it said.
The finalised RARMP, a summary of the RARMP, the licence, and questions and answers about the decision, are available online.