The Australian Wagyu Association was the first Wagyu Registry Association formed outside of Japan. In 1989, with the first live import of a Wagyu heifer into Australia. In the following years, the genetic material of more than 200 distinct animals was imported via the USA and Canada from Japan to begin the foundations of the global Wagyu herd.

The Australian Wagyu Association maintains the largest registry of Wagyu cattle outside of Japan. The Australian Wagyu Association herd retains unique integrity in pedigree and prefectural linkage to the Japanese herd.