Accredited veterinarians (AAVs) ensure the health and welfare of livestock before and during export.
AAVs have professional oversight to ensure animal health and welfare standards are met. This provides confidence to stakeholders including the:
- Australian Government
- exporter
- relevant authority of the importing country
- Australian public.
The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) sets out health and welfare standards. This includes when an AAV needs to accompany livestock on an export voyage.
We enforce the ASEL standards under our regulatory framework.
What they do
AAVs help prepare animals for export and may accompany livestock on the voyage.
AAVs use the exporters Approved Export Programs (AEP) to carry out specific export operations.
- An AEP is a document approved by us alongside an exporter’s approved arrangement (AA). It includes procedures that the importing country or Australian export legislation require.
- Exporters have AEPs specific to the market, species, and class of the consignments they export. All consignments being prepared for export require an AAV.
There are 2 types of AAVs: pre-export (land based) AAVs and shipboard AAVs.
Pre-export AAVs
Pre-export or land based AAVs:
- treat and test livestock entering the pre-export establishments or premises
- treat and test livestock to the importing country requirements
- inspect livestock for signs of disease and fitness to travel.
Shipboard AAVs
Shipboard AAVs:
- perform livestock management activities
- monitor the health and welfare of livestock on the voyage
- prepare daily and end-of-voyage reports.
Reports must comply with ASEL and any directions we give.
Further information on pre-export and shipboard AAV roles and responsibilities can be found in the roles and responsibilities of AAVs document.
Roles and Responsibilities of AAVs
This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of AAVs during pre-export operations and on-board livestock vessels.
It also explains the roles and responsibilities of other members of the supply chain in relation to an AAV’s role.
This includes the roles played by:
- exporters
- registered establishment operators
- accredited stockpersons
- independent observers
- our regional veterinary officers.
Download
Roles and Responsibilities of Accredited Veterinarians (AAVs) (PDF 418 KB)
Roles and Responsibilities of Accredited Veterinarians (AAVs) (DOCX 944 KB)
Apply to be an AAV
Find out what you need to do if you want to become an accredited veterinarian.
Information for AAVs
If you are one of our accredited veterinarians, here is information you need to know.