Animal Welfare Guidelines - Emus

​​​​​These ​Animal Welfare Guidelines include information on:
  • Scope and intention of the guidelines
  • Duty of care
  • Housing
  • Equipment
  • Protection from hazards
  • Food and water
  • Handling and yard facilities
  • Special requirements
  • Hatchery management
  • Humane slaughter

Animal Welfare Guidelines - Husbandry of Captive Bred Emus (91 KB)


The keeping of emus in Tasmania is regulated by the Animal Farming (Registration) Act 1994 and the Animal Farming (Registration) Regulations 2015, which list emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) as a 'prescribed animal'.

  • Up to and including four (4) emus may be kept without registration.

  • To be registered to keep five (5) or more emus, an applicant must meet conditions of registration under the Animal Farming (Registration) Act 1994 including:
    - keeping of records necessary to establish the ownership of each prescribed animal farmed;
    - standard and construction of fencing used to contain the prescribed animals;
    - identification of the prescribed animals;
    - the disposal of prescribed animals and their products.

For further information about registration contact ​AnimalWelfare.E​nquiries@nre.tas.gov.au.

​For information about conditions that apply to the importation of emus into Tasmania please contact Wildlife Services on email Wildlife.Services@nre.tas.gov.au​ or tel. 03 6165 4305.



​To report animal cruelty:
RSPCA Inspectorate
Phone: 1300 139 947
Email: reportit@rspcatas.org.au​