Biosecurity Operations Branch responds to complaints relating to alleged breaches of the:
How can I make a complaint or report?
Contact Biosecurity Operations Branch by using the report it form:
This can be done for everything related to animal welfare, animal biosecurity, animal traceability, chemical misuse or unlawful supply of meat or seafood produce.
Making a complaint about animal welfare
For complaints that involves
Less than 5 sheep, goats, cattle, alpacas, lamas, pigs
Any number of companion animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, horses
Less than 20 poultry (including ducks, chickens, geese, etc)
Contact the RSPCA (Tas) on by telephoning 1300 947 247 or by emailing reportit@rspcatas.org.au.
For complaints that involves
5 or more sheep, goats, cattle, alpacas, lamas, pigs
20 or more poultry (including ducks, chickens, geese, etc)
Contact Biosecurity Operations Branch by completing and submitting the report it form.
Making a complaint about carcass disposal
For a complaint relating to an incident where an animal carcass (deceased animal) has not been hygienically disposed of,
Contact Biosecurity Operations Branch by completing and submitting the report it form.
Making a complaint about the unlawful processing or supply of meat
For a complaint relating to an incident where an animal carcass (deceased animal) has not been hygienically disposed of,
Contact Biosecurity Operations Branch by completing and submitting the report it form.
Complaints Process
What happens once your compaint is lodged?
When we receive your complaint, we will do an initial review to see if any additional information is needed. If so, we may choose to contact you (if you leave your details).
If we have enough information, and an investigation is warranted, your complaint will be assigned to one of our skilled authorised officers to look into it further.
Will my name be released as the person who submitted a complaint?
Biosecurity Tasmania, as part of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, is bound by and/or subject to the following legislation and policies:
Personal Information Protection Act 2004
NRE Tas Personal Information Protection Policy
Right to Information Act 2009
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2002
Integrity Commission Act 2002
State Service Act 2000
Employment Directions
NRE Tas Compliance and Enforcement Policy
All personal information is held confidentially unless required by one of the above documents that requires your details be released.
You should always consider that you may be called upon by a court to give evidence if required.
When will I hear back?
If a complaint is submitted anonymously, you will not hear from us in relation to the information you submitted.
If a complaint is submitted with an email address, you will receive a response advising that your complaint was submitted successfully, and from the investigating officer when it is allocated for investigation.
Will I be updated on the progress of a complaint?
If a complaint is submitted anonymously, you will not receive any confirmation or further updates about the information you submitted.
Unless required to gather further information, you will not be provided with any updates on how the investigation is progressing. The Department is not able to provide information relating to ongoing investigations.
Once an investigation is complete, you will be notified by email advising that the investigation has been completed.
You should always consider that you may be called upon by a court to give evidence if required.
When a complaint is finalised
Some complaints may not warrant further investigation at the time of reporting, however an investigation is warranted, a complaint will be investigated fully to determine what has occurred.
All complaints will be the subject of a finding and you will be notified of the outcome.