Exporters must meet our minimum animal health and welfare conditions to export livestock. These are outlined in the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL). ASEL applies to cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, deer, and camelids (including alpaca).
We enforce ASEL under our regulatory framework.
We regularly review ASEL requirements. Find out more about ASEL updates and reviews.
Download ASEL
Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock
If you require a fully accessible version of these files, please email ASELReview@aff.gov.au.
Use our quick-find reference tables to locate more departmental webpages, documents and information relevant to livestock exports.
In some cases, you can apply for approval of alternate export arrangements under ASEL. These approvals apply to a specific consignment only. Apply when you submit a notice of intention to export livestock.
Download policies
- AAVs and stockpersons on sea voyages – applying for alternative arrangements (PDF 189 KB)
- AAVs and stockpersons on sea voyages – applying for alternative arrangements (DOCX 240 KB)
- Breeder cattle by sea – applying for a validity extension for pregnancy testing (PDF 195 KB)
- Breeder cattle by sea – applying for a validity extension for pregnancy testing (DOCX 236 KB)
- Livestock by sea – applying to load foreign sourced fodder (DOCX 453 KB)
- Penning of immature bulls and steers under ASEL (DOCX 235KB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
The ASEL rejection criteria are conditions and criteria that make animals ineligible for export. We have developed guidance material to promote their understanding and consistent application.
The guidebooks aim to:
- outline the rejection criteria and provide clarification and technical information to promote consistent application
- improve welfare outcomes through better management before loading
- provide guidance on livestock that are unsuitable for export or to enter the export supply chain.
Read the relevant guidebook in conjunction with the ASEL. Note that that importing country requirements may also apply.
We encourage feedback, photos and videos to improve the guidebooks. You can email us your questions, feedback and media to aselreview@aff.gov.au.
Download the guidebooks
- ASEL rejection criteria guidebook for cattle and buffalo (PDF 5.4 MB)
- ASEL rejection criteria guidebook for cattle and buffalo (DOCX 43.92 MB)
- ASEL rejection criteria guidebook for sheep and goats (PDF 5.51 MB)
- ASEL rejection criteria guidebook for sheep and goats DOCX (45.71 MB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
We have created calculators and policy guides to help you meet ASEL requirements.
Downloads
- ASEL Air Crate Space Allocation Calculator (XLSX 30 KB)
- Calculating onboard feed and water provisions under ASEL (PDF 239 KB)
- Calculating onboard feed and water provisions under ASEL (DOCX 241 KB)
- Voyage length calculations under ASEL (PDF 198 KB)
- Voyage length calculations under ASEL (DOCX 234 KB)
- Voyage reporting requirements under ASEL (PDF 175 KB)
- Voyage reporting requirements under ASEL (DOCX 235 KB)
- Water deprivation time for livestock exported by air to support compliance with ASEL (PDF 173 KB)
- Water deprivation time for livestock exported by air to support compliance with ASEL (DOCX 238 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Contact us
You can contact us at one of our live animal export offices.