Understanding Subordinate Animal Welfare Legislation in Australia: Assembling the Regulations and Codes of Practice

Simple Summary In Australia, animal welfare protection is a state and territory responsibility. Having eight separate state and territories results in eight separate animal welfare legal frameworks, all which contain a primary piece of legislation and secondary or subordinate forms of legislation. These subordinate forms are known as regulations and codes of practice and are lower-ranking laws that are given powers under the primary legislation. Subordinate laws contain crucial details that govern everyday human-animal interactions and industry practices, for example companion animals used for breeding. There has been no review of the animal welfare-focused subordinate laws in Australia. This study has assembled each animal welfare regulation and code of practice in force in Australia as a reference for practitioners working in specific animal-related areas to easily identify relevant documents pertaining to welfare and understand the nature of their responsibilities in terms of compliance with these documents. A total of 201 pieces of subordinate legislation were identified and presented through the following utility categories of animals: companion, production, wild/exotic, entertainment. The benefits of housing the information identified from this study on an online database for animal industries to use are discussed. The state-based approach to regulating animal welfare in Australia is thought to create national dis-uniformity in that each state and territory legislates and operates inconsistently. The animal welfare legal framework in each of the eight Australian jurisdictions is made up of a primary statute and subordinate legislation, where subordinate animal welfare legislation, in the forms of regulations and codes of practices, are lower-ranking laws that are given power under the jurisdiction's specific animal welfare statute. Since a review of animal welfare statutes identified broad patterns between the jurisdictions, this study is intended to be complementary by collating the subordinate legislation to provide a more comprehensive understanding of animal welfare laws in Australia. Using targeted search strategies stemming from the eight enabling animal welfare statutes, this study identified 201 pieces of subordinate legislation in force between 28 March 2022 and 5 April 2022. The scope of subordinate legislation is depicted through the following utility categories of animals: companion, production, wild/exotic, entertainment. Whilst subordinate legislation differed between the jurisdictions, it was common for similar welfare concerns or topic areas to be protected in higher-order legislation (statutes or regulations). Additionally, many jurisdictions were found to have similar shortcomings, all which likely could be managed through a mechanism of national data collection.

Automated summary

In Australia, animal welfare protection is the responsibility of each state and territory, resulting in eight separate legal frameworks. These frameworks consist of primary legislation and subordinate legislation, which contain crucial details for regulating human-animal interactions and industry practices. This study provides a comprehensive reference of all animal welfare regulations and codes of practice in Australia, allowing practitioners to easily access relevant documents and understand their responsibilities. The benefits of storing this information on an online database for the animal industry are also discussed. The state-based approach to animal welfare regulation in Australia leads to inconsistency and this study aims to provide a better understanding of the overall animal welfare laws by collating subordinate legislation. A total of 201 pieces of subordinate legislation were identified, covering companion, production, wild/exotic, and entertainment animals. Despite differences between jurisdictions, similar welfare concerns are protected in higher-order legislation. National data collection could help address common shortcomings across jurisdictions.