Learn more about what we’ve heard so far and how to stay involved. Keep checking this page for updates as the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) is developed.
APS principles for partnership and engagement
The Australian Public Service (APS) is expected to meet certain standards for engagement and participation.
The consultation process through to 2027 will be consistent with the APS Charter of Partnerships and Engagement. This will include being clear about how information and views will be used, providing opportunities for diverse voices to be heard, and ensuring that decision making is underpinned by science and evidence.
There is a comprehensive governance structure responsible for the AAWS renewal, with final oversight by Australia’s Agriculture Ministers, through the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM).
The second round of consultation
Australian Animal Welfare Strategy: consultation summary 2025
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A second round of consultation on the renewal of the AAWS commenced from March 2025. These consultations used a variety of methods to engage groups of different sizes across a diverse range of stakeholders, to gain insights and support development of components of the strategy.
This included a survey conducted through the department’s Have Your Say platform, which was open for input from 17 March 2025 to 14 April 2025.
We sought your feedback on whether the actions identified under the previous AAWS remain important for a renewed, modern and future-focused AAWS. As part of this round of consultation, we also held a stakeholder roundtable, workshops and interviews with a broad range of stakeholders from across Australia’s animal welfare system. The department also conducted a series of culturally appropriate First Nations stakeholder engagements.
The roundtable, workshops and interviews sought input on the renewal of the AAWS, including the animal group chapters under development during 2025, Livestock and Production, and Aquatic Animals.
We have published a summary of feedback received on this page and the department’s Have Your Say page.
This consultation supports our objective to build on successes of the lapsed strategy, while reflecting contemporary animal welfare science and evidence and recognising modern challenges and opportunities.
The first round of consultation
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry conducted a first round of consultation on the renewal of the AAWS from 8 March 2024 to 8 July 2024.
Feedback received through this first round of consultation is helping to shape the development of the AAWS.
Australian Animal Welfare Strategy: consultation summary report
This report provides a thematic analysis of the stakeholder feedback received through the first round of consultation on the renewal of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).
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This first consultation included the release of a discussion paper through the department’s Have Your Say platform, which was open for input from 8 March to 30 June 2024.
The Have Your Say invited input through both survey and submissions, and was open to all Australians to share views and insights on the following aspects of the renewed AAWS:
- vision for the strategy
- work streams
- challenges and opportunities for animal welfare in Australia.
As part of the consultation process, the department held meetings with a broad range of stakeholders from across Australia's animal welfare system.
The department also commissioned a series of focus groups and interviews. These sought learnings from individuals involved in the lapsed AAWS, and input from key stakeholders on the renewal of the AAWS and development of a National Statement on Animal Welfare, which will underpin the renewed AAWS.
Renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy: discussion paper 2024
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Australian Animal Welfare Strategy: stakeholder engagement list
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Upcoming consultation opportunities
The AAWS will be developed and released in chapters from 2025 to 2027. Read more about the 6 animal groups and the parameters for each chapter.
Consultation will be ongoing. We will test insights and priorities throughout the development process.
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