What are we delivering, and why is it important for animal welfare in Australia?
What are we delivering?
The government is strengthening a national approach to animal welfare by investing $5 million over 4 years (2023-2027) to renew the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).
The Australian Government is working closely with states and territories to take a joint leadership approach to renewing the AAWS.
The budget for this commitment was announced as part of the May 2023 budget. It provides for the development of a strategy that:
- Provides a vision for the welfare of all animals
- Outlines the challenges and opportunities for animal welfare in Australia
- Defines practical actions for meaningful improvements in Australia’s animal welfare system.
In March 2024, Australian and state and territory agriculture ministers committed to jointly leading the renewal of the AAWS, informed by broad stakeholder engagement and a principles-based framework.
To underpin the development of the AAWS, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment through the National Statement on Animal Welfare.
The renewed AAWS will be delivered in tranches or ‘chapters’ across six animal groups, with the strategy expected to be finalised by mid-2027. See Roadmap to renewal.
Renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy 2023-24 Budget factsheet
Why is it important?
The renewed AAWS will:
- Establish a national framework, bringing together key stakeholders on issues of national significance
- provide a forward direction to address industry, community and international expectations
- maintain Australia’s commitment to modern, sustainable, evidence and science-based animal welfare practice
- demonstrate Australia’s strong animal welfare standards, which will support increased access to overseas markets, and strengthen the reputation of our animal and agricultural industries with trading partners.
Guided by the principles-based framework agreed to by all Agriculture Ministers in 2024, the AAWS will:
- promote national consistency across its key priorities and actions to provide certainty to industry and consumers
- promote good animal welfare outcomes across its key priorities and actions
- be trusted by the community, consumers, industry and trading partners
- establish key priorities and actions that deliver sustainable improvements for the welfare of all animals
- consider contemporary animal welfare science with priorities that meet current challenges and opportunities
- establish a pathway for improved measurable animal welfare outcomes
- contribute to Australia’s sustainable international trade credentials, maintaining and securing future market access by showcasing and maturing Australia's national approach to animal welfare
The lapsed AAWS
The original strategy, which lapsed in 2014, was an overarching national framework that identified priorities, coordinated stakeholder action, and improved consistency across all animal use sectors.
Reflecting its complexity, the strategy took five years to develop, commencing in June 1999. The AAWS was finalised in 2004, with endorsement by the then Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Primary Industries Ministerial Council in May of that year.
The strategy’s first national implementation plan was endorsed in 2006.
In 2010, the strategy was updated after stakeholder consultation and an independent review. At its conclusion, the strategy was in its implementation phase, supported by a range of working groups.
The renewed AAWS will build on successes of the lapsed strategy while reflecting contemporary animal welfare science and evidence and recognising modern challenges and opportunities.