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.

Progress report

Australian Capital Territory Updated: Nov 2020	The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Exhibited Animals is 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 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.

Page Updated: Nov 2020