Exhibited Animals

The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals

The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals have been endorsed (April 2019) by the Agriculture Ministers (AGMIN). They are expected to be regulated into law by State and Territory governments.

• 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 have been endorsed (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:

South Australia

The date of implementation is currently unknown.

Northern Territory

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 Department of Primary Industry Animal Welfare Inspectors.

New South Wales

New South Wales intends to adopt the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals into legislation subject to normal policy development processes.

Western Australia

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals have not been regulated in Western Australia to date. Until now, limitations of Western Australia’s Animal Welfare Act 2002 prevented their implementation in this State. However, the amendment of the Act in November 2018 will allow the Standards and Guidelines to be regulated. No decision has been made regarding the timing for the regulation of these standards. However, if regulated, it will be following the completion of the regulation of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land transport of livestock, Saleyards and Depots, Sheep and Cattle.

Victoria

As of 1 October 2019, Victoria will apply 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.

Queensland

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.

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) will consider the standards and guidelines in early 2020. Advice on their implementation in Tasmania will then be provided to the Minister.

Australian Capital Territory

A progress report is yet to be provided.

 

Page Updated: Sept 2019