Is it permissible to eat packaged halal certified meat (chicken/beef) available at our local grocery stores here in Australia. E.g.Steggles /Hazeldenes. They have products that are certified by AFIC (Australian Federation of Islamic Councils). Would it be sufficient to trust the certificate and assume it is halal if these companies are not owned by Muslims? What is the ruling for store bought halal certified items?

If it’s well known that such certifications are given with trust and supervisions that are carried out on a regular basis to ensure that the process of halal is being followed by these companies, mind you most slaughter men are Muslims and you have itminan (meaning satisfaction in the heart) then yes