​​​​Under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, Animal Welfare Guidelines are to include guidelines for the education and guidance of persons involved in the care and management of animals. Animal Welfare Guidelines are therefore advisory in nature. They are intended to help people involved in the care and management of animals adopt high standards of husbandry.

The Animal Welfare Guidelines are based on the Australian Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, or the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC). Alternatively, where there is no suitable national model, Animal Welfare Guidelines are deve​loped in Tasmania, in consultation with industry and animal welfare groups.

Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait

The Animal Welfare Guidelines - Transport of ​Livestock Across Bass Strait were developed in Tasmania by the Bass Strait Livestock Shipping Committee, comprising shipping, transport and livestock industry representatives from Tasmania, Victoria, and State and Commonwealth regulatory agencies.

 Animal Welfare Guidelines - Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait (PDF 746Kb)

 Summary of the Guidelines (PDF 178Kb)

 Required declaration form (PDF 19Kb)

​​​​​​​For information about land transport of livestock please refer to our webpage Animal Welfare Guidelines - Land Transport of Livestock, and also the Animal Welfare (Land Transport of Livestock) Regulations 2013​.