The Australian Pome Fruit Improvement Program Ltd (APFIP) was established in February 1997 by the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association Inc (AAPGA) for the benefit of the Australian pome fruit (apple and pear) industry. In late 2002 AAPGA became Apple & Pear Australia Limited (APAL).

APFIP is a not-for-profit company with a board of five directors who work in the pome fruit or nursery industries. A levy is paid by apple growers to fund APFIP's activities, which are managed by a General Manager.

To assist APFIP's establishment, the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation (HRDC a government statutory organisation with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Australian horticulture), provided interim funding equal to the levy contribution made by apple growers. In February 2001 HRDC became Horticulture Australia Limited an industry owned company; it now administers and provides the matching funding to the grower levy for APFIP’s ongoing operations. 

APFIP works cooperatively with all pome fruit industry sectors in Australia and has the following objectives;

• To facilitate an efficient entry in Australia of pome fruit propagation material with characteristics that will benefit the commercial potential for pome fruit production in Australia;
  
• To develop and promote independent evaluation of pome fruit propagation material for the pome fruit industry in Australia;
  
• To develop and promote standards for pome fruit material that will assist the international competitiveness of the Australian pome fruit industry.