Nutrient Reference Values

Nutrient Reference Values

Australia and New Zealand

The Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs) are a set of evidence-informed recommendations that outline the intake levels of essential nutrients considered adequate to meet nutritional needs and prevent harm in healthy people. 

History of the NRVs

The current set of NRVs were published in 2006. They were developed by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (the Department) and the New Zealand Ministry of Health (NZ MoH). Updates were made to fluoride recommendations in 2016 and sodium recommendations in 2017. In 2019, NHMRC commenced a rolling, priority-driven review of nutrients.

The NRV update process is guided by a methodological framework. This framework has recently been revised and is currently out for public consultation.

For more details on the history and development of the NRVs, see the NHMRC NRVs publication page. 

Current work

Iodine

Updated NRVs currently open for public consultation.

Selenium

Updating upper level of intake (UL) – public consultation anticipated early 2026.

Sodium

Updating NRVs – public consultation anticipated mid-2026.

Vitamin B6

Revising upper level of intake (UL) – public consultation anticipated mid-2026.

Governance

NRV reviews are overseen by a Steering Group (comprising NHMRC, the Department and the NZ MoH). A Steering Group Advisory Committee advises the Steering Group. Nutrient specific experts are engaged to advise on the review of each nutrient. 

Learn more about the Advisory Committee and expert working groups.