Australia
Australian-Made Foam: What It Means for Your Cushions
Where our foam is made, how to read a foam grade, indoor vs outdoor foam, and why we say "Australian-made foam" rather than "Made in Australia".
On this page
Quick answer: Foam for every Australian Fabrica Kraft order is made in Australia by our foam partner, an Australian family-owned business. Your covers are sewn in our own workshop in India. That's why we say "Australian-made foam", not "Made in Australia" cushions: Australian Consumer Law has clear rules about origin claims, and we'd rather tell you exactly where each part comes from.
When you buy a cushion, most of what you're paying for is hidden inside it. The fabric gets all the attention, but the foam decides whether the cushion still feels supportive in five years or sags in one. Here's what "Australian-made foam" means for your cushions, how to read foam grades, and why we're careful with the words "Made in Australia".
Who makes our foam?
Our foam partner in Australia is a family-owned Australian business that delivers Australia-wide. It cuts and supplies the foam for our Australian orders, so your cushion is filled locally and only the cover travels from our workshop. Our suppliers are listed on our supply chain transparency page.
Using a local foam partner means:
- Foam doesn't cross an ocean. Foam is bulky and mostly air. Making it close to you means less packaging and less freight.
- Grades suited to local conditions, including quick-drain outdoor foam for humid summers.
- Faster replacements. If a cushion needs remaking, the foam is already here.
How to read a foam grade
Australian foam is usually sold by a grade code such as 31-190. The first number is the density and the second is the firmness.
| Part of the code | What it measures | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| First number (e.g. 31) | Density, in kilograms per cubic metre | How much material is in the foam. Higher density lasts longer. |
| Second number (e.g. 190) | Firmness (hardness) | How firm it feels when you sit. Higher is firmer. |
The key point is that density and firmness are different things. A low-density foam can be made to feel firm, but it breaks down and loses support faster than a higher-density foam of the same firmness. When you compare cushions, ask for the density, not just "firm" or "soft".
Indoor foam vs outdoor foam
Regular indoor foam absorbs water like a sponge, which leads to mould and faster breakdown if it gets wet. Outdoor (reticulated) foam has an open-cell structure that lets water run straight through, so it drains and dries quickly.
- Alfresco, pool and boat cushions: choose our quick-drain Dryfast foam.
- Indoor seats, window seats and lounges: choose high density foam for everyday comfort, or Luxury foam for thin, firm dining seats.
- Back cushions: Super Soft foam, which is made for backs only and never for seats.
Our foam thickness guide in mm helps you choose the right depth.
Why we don't say "Made in Australia"
Under Australian Consumer Law, a "Made in Australia" claim means the product had its last substantial transformation in Australia, and "Product of Australia" means all significant parts come from Australia and nearly all processing happens here, as the ACCC explains. Since 2017, substantial transformation means the finished product must be fundamentally different from its components (Australian Made).
Our covers are cut and sewn in our own workshop in India, and Warwick fabrics come from the Australian textile house. Putting a cover on Australian foam doesn't change where the cover was made. So the honest description of a Fabrica Kraft cushion in Australia is:
- Foam: made in Australia by our foam partner
- Cover: sewn in our own workshop in India
- Fabric: Sunbrella, or Warwick, depending on what you choose
We think that's more useful than a vague flag on the label. If you ever see a cushion brand claiming "Made in Australia", it's fair to ask where the cover was sewn.
What this means when you order
- You choose your fabric, foam and size online, in millimetres.
- We sew your cover in our workshop and cut your foam in Australia.
- Covers ship to you with no import duty, because Indian-made goods enter Australia duty-free under the India–Australia trade agreement, and we prepay the GST. See import duty and GST on cushions.
- Delivery is free anywhere in Australia. If foam arrives vacuum-packed, give it 12–18 hours to expand before fitting the cover.
Every cushion is cut within 6 mm (maximum ±25 mm) of your size and remade free if we miss that. Standard shapes take 2–3 weeks to make. Start with custom outdoor cushions or Warwick cushions, and compare fabrics in Sunbrella or Warwick.
Signs your cushion foam is worn out
- It doesn't spring back. Press the middle of the seat; if the dent stays for a few seconds, the foam has lost its support.
- You can feel the frame. On a bench or chair, sitting through to the timber or slats means the foam is too soft or too thin.
- It smells musty. Indoor foam that has been wet often holds moisture and mould, even when the cover looks clean.
- The cover looks baggy. When foam shrinks, the cover wrinkles and the corners go empty.
Already have cushions? Replace just the foam
If your covers are fine but the cushions have gone flat, you don't need new ones. Order foam only, cut to the size of your covers, or new covers for foam that still springs back. Our guide to replacing, re-foaming or re-covering helps you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is your foam made in Australia?
Yes. Foam for Australian orders is made in Australia by our foam partner.
Are your cushions made in Australia?
No. The foam is Australian-made, but the covers are sewn in our own workshop in India, so we don't describe the finished cushion as Made in Australia.
What foam density is good for a seat cushion?
Higher density lasts longer. Ask for the density number, not just how firm it feels.
Can I order foam only?
Yes. Every builder lets you order foam only, the cover only or the complete cushion.
