Australian Made Handmade Dolls — What Certification Really Means

Upper Dhali® is officially certified as Australian Made — a milestone that confirms not just where my dolls are created, but how they are made.

After more than a decade of proudly creating handmade dolls in Australia, receiving formal accreditation through the Australian Made, Australian Grown certification marked an important moment for my business — and for the trust I continue to build with customers here and around the world.

What Australian Made Certification Really Means

The Australian Made certification is one of the most recognised and trusted symbols of genuine Australian manufacturing. To be approved, businesses must meet strict criteria under the Australian Consumer Law and comply with the Australian Made Code of Practice.

This process requires clear documentation, evidence of local manufacturing, and ongoing compliance — it’s not a label that can be claimed lightly.

Why This Matters for Upper Dhali®

I’ve proudly shared that my handmade keepsake dolls are Australian-made since I founded Upper Dhali® in October 2012.

While that commitment has never changed, formal certification provides something more — an independent, internationally recognised confirmation that my work meets Australian Made standards.

From this point forward, each Upper Dhali® doll is accompanied by the official green-and-gold Australian Made swing tag — a small detail that represents a significant achievement.

Australian Made — By the Numbers

An insight shared by the Australian Made Campaign highlights just how selective this accreditation is:

“The Australian Made logo is used by more than 2,600 businesses across over 16,000 products sold in Australia and export markets worldwide.”

Upper Dhali® is the only dedicated handmade doll brand included among them.

Recognition Along the Way

Receiving Australian Made certification followed earlier industry recognition, including the SHE-com Editors’ Choice Silver Award for Handmade Australian Product of the Year.

Each milestone reflects a consistent focus on craftsmanship, quality, and meaningful handmade work — values that have shaped Upper Dhali® from the very beginning.

Why Australians Love Australian Made

Supporting Australian-made products goes beyond a logo. For many people, it represents shared values and conscious choices:

• Quality: Australian products are held to high manufacturing and consumer standards.
• Supporting local industry: Buying locally helps sustain skilled jobs and small businesses.
• Lower environmental impact: Reduced transport distances can lessen the carbon footprint.
• Uniqueness: Australian makers often create products that reflect our culture and creativity.
• National pride: Supporting Australian Made strengthens our collective identity.

I’d love to hear why Australian Made matters to you. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Until next time,
Lou