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Department of Agriculture

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  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Export
  4. Controlled export goods
  5. Exporting live animals
  6. Animal welfare in livestock exports
  7. Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock updates

Sidebar first - Export

  • Animal welfare in livestock exports
    • Livestock export welfare reviews
      • Northern Hemisphere summer review
      • Heat and cold stress in Bos taurus cattle
    • Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock updates

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock updates

The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) outlines the minimum animal health and welfare conditions that exporters must meet when exporting livestock. The current version that exporters must comply with is ASEL 3.3, which commenced on 30 November 2023.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders and reviewing the ASEL regularly. This ensures the standards remain fit for purpose and reflect the latest science and best practice.

ASEL review

We are currently undertaking a review to update ASEL to version 4.0. This review considers a range of matters identified by stakeholders as high priority matters and includes reviewing bedding levels, fodder requirements, pregnancy-related requirements, on-board veterinary medicines and equipment and several air standards. The review is divided into tranches to minimise the impact on stakeholders.

Public consultation on the first tranche of matters under consideration has closed. A consultation summary and submissions permitted for publication can be viewed on the Have Your Say page. Public consultation on the second tranche of matters commenced on 28 April. Consultation will be open for 6 weeks and will conclude on 9 June 2026. Visit Have Your Say for more details and to provide feedback.

Feedback on other ASEL matters can be provided at any time to ASELReview@aff.gov.au. Emerging matters will be recorded and considered in future ASEL updates. 

Key changes to ASEL versions

Key changes are summarised in the table below.

ASEL versionKey changes
3.3
November 2023
  • All the circumstances when an accredited veterinarian or stockperson must accompany a voyage
  • Clearer instructions for identifying livestock in laboratory test reports
  • Clarification for when an additional clear day is required for livestock in registered establishments
  • A requirement for exporters to have a contingency plan for the humane recapture of escaped livestock
  • The removal of the ineffective near and far market definitions
  • Changes to reserve feed requirements for consignments less than 15 days
  • More flexibility around penning requirements for juvenile alpaca exported by air
  • Clarification of registered establishment’s record-keeping requirements
  • More flexibility around penning requirements for horned sheep and horned cattle
  • More flexibility around the marking and removal of rejected animals in registered establishments
3.2
November 2021
  • Clarified definitions, certification requirements, and segregation of animals
  • More flexibility in pen space and record-keeping for sheep in registered establishments
  • More flexibility in penning animals together
  • Expanded use of approved blood tests in pregnancy diagnosis
  • Addition of a notification requirement for loading of foreign fodder
  • More flexibility in allocating air crate space.
3.1
March 2021
  • Text aligned with Export Control Act 2020 and Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021
  • Australian Government Accredited Veterinarians (AAVs) changed to accredited veterinarians
  • Registered premises changed to registered establishments
  • Operators (of a of registered establishment) changed to occupiers
  • New definition of near and far markets.
3.0
November 2020
  • New definition of voyage length
  • New general and species-specific requirements for Standards 1, 3, 5 & 6
  • Reduced the notifiable mortality rate
  • Increased preparation time for some livestock at registered premises
  • Updated management plans for sea and air exports.

See more

  • Export Control Act 2020
  • Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021
  • Live Animal Export Advisory Notices

Contact us

GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
For ASEL questions or feedback email aselreview@aff.gov.au.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

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Page last updated: 07 May 2026

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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