To export livestock, you must have a livestock export licence. An export licence is valid for 5 years (unless a different expiry date is set on the licence).
You must also have an approved arrangement and an approved export program or an exemption from these requirements as a small and infrequent exporter.
If you intend to export feeder or slaughter livestock, you must have an approved Export Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) in place.
If you are a new exporter, you may make a joint application for your:
- livestock export licence
- approved arrangement
- approved export program.
Find out how to become a livestock exporter.
To renew your livestock export licence, you must submit your application between 180 and 120 days before the licence expiry date.
For example, if your licence is due to expire on 8 July, your renewal application must be made between 9 January and 10 March.
If you do not apply to renew within this time, you must apply for a new licence.
Apply
To renew your export licence, complete the Application to renew a livestock export licence form.
Submit
Submit your form to livestockexp@aff.gov.au
Assessment
We will conduct a fit and proper person test on the holder of the export licence. To support this process, you must provide an individual National Police Certificate for:
- the holder of the livestock export licence
- each person listed on the export licence as a person who manages or controls the export operations.
The National Police Certificate must be issued by the Australian Federal Police and be dated no more than 6 months prior to the renewal application date.
We assess applications in accordance with our client service standards. We will inform you of your application status if there are delays.
See our service standards.
You may apply to vary parts of your export licence, such as:
- changes to persons who participate in the management or control of your export business
- the species exported
- the mode of transport.
Apply
Complete the relevant sections of the application to vary a livestock export licence, approved arrangement, or approved export program form.
Submit
Submit your form and supporting documents to livestockexp@aff.gov.au.
Assessment
If you are varying your licence to add a new person in management or control, you will need to attach a National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police within the last 6 months for each person.
We assess applications in accordance with our client service standards. We will inform you of your application status if there are delays.
See our service standards.
We charge time-based fees to assess export licence applications, including new applications, variations and renewals.
See our charging guidelines.
We will only engage with you on matters that constitute management or control of an export business if you are listed on the livestock export licence. You must be listed on the licence as a person who participates in that business’ management or control.
Management or control
A person is someone who participates in the management or control of an export business if they have the authority to direct:
- an important or substantial part of the export operations
- another person who can direct an important or substantial part of those export operations.
Directing export operations
Activities we consider to involve directing an important or substantial part of the export operations include:
- renewing the licence
- varying the licence, the AA, or the AEP
- submitting a notice of intention (NOI) to export or applications for ESCAS
- varying a NOI or ESCAS
- applying for a health certificate or export permit
- providing information about a consignment for certification or confirmation of compliance
- providing independent performance audit reports for an exporter’s approved ESCAS
- making declarations about an exporter’s approved ESCAS
- providing supporting information or documents to us for any of the above activities
- providing any further information we request about the activities of an exporter, including as part of an investigation
- representing and making decisions on behalf of a business during the export process.
Export licence and business structure
Any person who undertakes any such activities should be identified on the export licence as a person in management or control. Review your business structure to ensure your licence includes the required people.
If someone is not currently identified on your export licence as being in management or control, you may need to vary the licence to include them.
Contact us
For any general enquiries, please contact the live animal export office.