Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

The Australian Government is working together with states and territories to develop and implement nationally consistent standards and guidelines for farm animal welfare. The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines update and replace the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, for particular animal industries. The standards are designed to be implemented in state and territory legislation. The standards are accompanied by voluntary guidelines that set out recommended practice for the care and husbandry of animals.

The standards and guidelines are being developed under the direction of the Animal Welfare Task Group (AWTG) a multi-jurisdictional representative group that reports to the Agriculture Senior Officials’ Committee. The development of national animal welfare standards and guidelines through the collaborative mechanism of the AWTG is intended to provide clarity and consistency and facilitate the understanding of animal welfare requirements across industry, the community and trading partners.

The development of standards and guidelines includes a consultative process, and a Regulation Impact Analysis. Once developed, it is up to each state and territory government to implement the standards, as appropriate for their jurisdiction. The guidelines are a useful reference for people responsible for the care and management of animals and may be used in industry quality assurance programs or other initiatives.

Current Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines (and Model Codes of Practice)

Species or category	Current Standards and Guidelines or Model Code of Practice	Status	Replaces
Land transport of Livestock	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock * The Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock include provisions for all species previously covered in the suite of Model Codes for livestock transport.	Endorsed – September 2012	Draft Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Land Transport of Sheep. Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Cattle; Horses; Pigs; Poultry; Rail transport of livestock; Road transport of livestock.
Cattle	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle	Endorsed – January 2016	Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Cattle, 2004
Sheep	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep	Endorsed – January 2016	Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Sheep, 2006
Livestock at saleyards and depots	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots	Endorsed – February 2018	Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Animals at Saleyards
Exhibited Animals (including crocodilians)	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals	Endorsed – March 2019	n/a
Poultry	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry (developed by an Independent Poultry Panel)	Endorsed – July 2023	Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry; Farming of Ostriches; Husbandry of Captive Bred Emus
Horses	Review of Horses under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock	Underway	n/a
Pigs	2008 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs	No current work	n/a
Rabbits	1991 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Intensive Husbandry of Rabbits	No current work	n/a
Deer	1991 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Farming of Deer	No current work	n/a
Goat	1991 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Goat	No current work Note: Animal Health Australia (AHA) together with the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA) developed the Australian Industry Standards and Guidelines for Goats in 2015. The industry standards and guidelines are voluntary and undergo a review by GICA and AHA annually.	n/a
Buffalo	1995 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Farmed Buffalo	No current work	n/a
Camel	2006 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Camel	No current work	n/a
Feral Animals	1992 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Feral Livestock Animals	No current work	n/a

Current Updates

Industry Sector	Current Standards and Guidelines or Model Code of Practice	Replaces	Proposed review of Standards and Guidelines
Land Transport of Livestock – suitability for Horses	Review of Horses under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock	n/a	Ministers continue to work towards national endorsement of amendments to the standards
Livestock at Processing Establishments	Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Slaughter Establishments	2001 Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Livestock at Slaughter Establishments	Public consultation is planned for 2025

Model Codes of Practice

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines have replaced some of the model codes of practice. For other industries, the model codes remain useful guidance on animal welfare and are legislated in some jurisdictions.