Australia is one of many countries that exports livestock by sea and air all over the world.
Our definition of livestock includes sheep, goats, cattle, deer, buffalo and camelids.
The livestock export industry provides over $1.6 billion to our economy. Many rural and regional communities rely on the trade to provide valuable income and employment to their region.
Our role
As the regulator, we enforce high standards. These standards reflect the values of our livestock export industry and the Australian community. This includes regulating against our strict Australian legislative and animal welfare requirements. We ensure consignments exported meet importing country requirements.
Every 6 months we report to Parliament under the Export Control Act 2020. The reports include data on livestock mortalities for every sea voyage.
We are committed to maintaining a strong and efficient regulatory framework. See more about our live animal export reforms.
Animal health and welfare
Australia leads the world in animal welfare. We are an active member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
We have a unique regulatory system, unlike any other country that exports livestock. We require exporters of livestock for human consumption (known as feeder and slaughter livestock) to have arrangements in place with supply chain partners. This ensures humane treatment and handling of livestock is provided from the time they arrive in the importing country up to and including the point of slaughter.
Your role
See more
- Reforming live animal exports
- Regulating live animal exports
- Compliance investigations
- Forms
- Micor
- Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
Stay informed
Subscribe to Export Advisory Notices (EANs) and Market Access Notices (MANs). EANs will notify you of any changes to requirements. MANs will notify you of any market specific changes.