Exhibited Animals
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals were endorsed in April 2019 by the Agriculture Ministers (AGMIN). They are expected to be regulated into law by State and Territory governments shortly.
- Exhibited Animals – General
- Exhibited Animals – Crocodilian
- Exhibited Animals – Koala
- Exhibited Animals – Macropod
- Exhibited Animals – Ratite
- Exhibited Animals – Wombat
- Exhibited Animals – Decision Regulation Impact Statement
Progress report
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals were endorsed in April 2019 by the Agriculture Ministers (AGMIN).
They are expected to be regulated into law by State and Territory governments. The implementation dates for the Exhibited animal standards by State and Territory are:
| Australian Capital Territory
Updated: Nov 2020 |
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals are currently on the ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committees timeline for review this year. |
| New South Wales
Updated: Nov 2020 |
New South Wales intends to adopt the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals into legislation subject to normal policy development processes. |
| Northern Territory
Updated: Oct 2019
|
In the Northern Territory, the Exhibited Animals Standards will be adopted under the Animal Welfare Regulations subject to legislative processes and timeframes. The date of implementation is currently unknown. Compliance and enforcement activity will be undertaken by the Department of Primary Industry Animal Welfare Inspectors. |
| Queensland
Updated: Nov 2020 |
Queensland supports the adoption of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals for the consistent application of these standards across jurisdictions. Queensland intends to implement the Exhibited Animals standards as a compulsory code requirement under the Exhibited Animals Act 2015, subject to legislative processes and timeframes. The date of implementation is currently unknown. |
| South Australia
Updated: Oct 2019 |
The date of implementation is currently unknown. |
| Tasmania
Updated: Nov 2020 |
The Exhibited Animals S&G are currently being considered by the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice to the Minister on whether to regulate part or all of the standards component in early 2021. |
| Victoria
Updated: Nov 2020 |
As of 1 October 2019, Victoria has applied a condition requiring compliance with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Exhibited Animals (General and associated relevant taxon standards) to all pest animal approved (collection) zoo permits. These permits authorise the keeping of declared pest (exotic) species in privately owned zoos and wildlife parks.Victoria intends to adopt the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals into legislation subject to normal policy development processes. In adopting the standards into regulation, Victoria will avoid duplication or lowering of existing animal welfare requirements. It is anticipated that national standards and guidelines agreed to by Victoria will be adopted through the new proposed Animal Welfare Act. This legislation is currently under development. |
| Western Australia
Updated: Nov 2020 |
Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals have not been regulated in Western Australia to date.No decision has been made regarding the timing for the implementation of these standards. However, if implemented, it will be following the completion of regulations for the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock, Saleyards and Depots, Sheep and Cattle. |
State/territory animal welfare legislation
The state and territory governments are responsible for the regulation of animal welfare in Australia. Each state and territory have an animal welfare Act outlining their animal welfare legislation. If your state/territory have not implemented standards and guidelines (see above), please refer to the below legislation.
Page Updated: December 2020