Country of origin labels for processed foods will be mandatory under a plan to be put to federal cabinet.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has overcome resistance in cabinet to bring in the labels, which consumer groups say are essential.
The issue made headlines in the wake of the recent hepatitis A outbreak from Chinese frozen berries.
A number of federal ministers raised concerns about the extra cost to consumers and businesses, as well as foreign trade implications, when the issue came up in cabinet on Monday.
But Mr Macfarlane says he has received the backing of the prime minister and cabinet to go ahead with a proposal which he will finalise by August.
"While it will be a difficult and complicated process and there will be costs all around, consumers do have the right to know where their goods are processed and where the makeup of those goods come from," Mr Macfarlane told ABC radio on Friday.
There was no point in the scheme being a voluntary code, as some sections of industry had sought, he said.
"There's no point having `Made in Australia from local and imported goods' - that tells people nothing."
While the information could be put into barcodes which could be read by smartphones, it should also be visible on labels.
Between now and August, the government will work with food producers and supermarket chains to test different methods.
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