Saleyards and Depots
Progress report
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots were finalised in February 2018 by the Agriculture Ministers (AGMIN).
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots are expected to be regulated into law by state and territory governments. The estimated implementation dates for the Saleyard and Depots Standards by state and territory are:
| Australian Capital TerritoryUpdated: Nov 2020 | The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots will be implemented in the ACT as a code of practice under the Animal Welfare Act 1992. The ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) is currently reviewing the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots and will advise the Minister regarding the manner in which they believe the standards and guidelines should be implemented.It is anticipated that if approved as a code of practice, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Saleyards and Depots will be implemented within the next 18 months.The ACT agrees that having nationally consistent legislation and documented minimum standards enforced across Australia is a positive step. Where Commonwealth and Territory legislation exists, the welfare of the animals should be the priority and higher standards should apply. |
| New South WalesUpdated: Nov 2020 | New South Wales intends to adopt the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Livestock at Saleyards and Depots into legislation subject to normal policy development processes. |
| Northern TerritoryUpdated: Oct 2019
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In the Northern Territory, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Saleyards and Depots will be adopted under the Livestock 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 and Resources Veterinary Officers and Livestock Biosecurity Officers. |
| QueenslandUpdated: July 2021 | Queensland regulated the Australian Animal Welfare Standards for Livestock at saleyards and depots as a code of practice requirement under the Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012 on 1 July 2021. A code of practice under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 is a mandatory code. |
| South AustraliaUpdated: Dec 2020 | The date of implementation is currently unknown. |
| TasmaniaUpdated: Nov 2020 | The Saleyards and Depots 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. |
| VictoriaUpdated: Nov 2020
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Victoria intends to adopt the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines Livestock at Saleyards and Depots 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 AustraliaUpdated: Nov 2020
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On 3 October 2020, the Animal Welfare (Transport, Saleyards and Depots) (Cattle and Sheep) Regulations 2020 (Transport Regulations) came into effect in Western Australia. The Transport Regulations implement the standards set out in the Land Transport Standards and Guidelines and the Saleyards and Depots Standards and Guidelines to the extent they relate to sheep and cattle. Consideration will be given to introducing regulations that apply to the remaining classes of livestock following the completion of regulations implementing the Standards and Guidelines for Sheep and Cattle.Western Australia has also adopted the Saleyards and Depots Standards and Guidelines as a code of practice under its Animal Welfare Act 2002. This means that, where a person has been charged with cruelty, compliance with the Saleyards and Depots Standards and Guidelines can be used as a defence to the charge and non-compliance must be taken into consideration by the court. |
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