Implementing Poultry Welfare Standards

The Poultry Welfare Standards are one of a suite of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines that aims to harmonise national animal welfare legislation, providing clarity and consistency for industry, consumers and trading partners.

The national standards and guidelines were finalised by an independent panel after extensive community and stakeholder consultation, as well as a cost benefit analysis. As part of their development, biosecurity, food security and impacts to consumers were all considered.

The Poultry Welfare Standards, and Victoria’s poultry regulations once introduced, apply to everyone responsible for the care and management of poultry. This includes commercial producers, backyard poultry owners and poultry fanciers. The Poultry Welfare Standards do not cover the transport and slaughter of poultry, as these are covered under separate standards and guidelines.

The Poultry Welfare Standards apply to all poultry species. ‘Poultry’ are defined as the bird types reared or bred in captivity and include:

• chickens
• ducks
• geese
• guinea fowl
• ostriches
• partridges
• pheasants
• pigeons
• quail
• turkeys.

Note: requirements for emus will remain under the existing Code. For more information, view the Code of Practice for the Husbandry of Captive Emus.

Timeline

1. In 2023, Australia’s agriculture ministers endorsed the Poultry Welfare Standards.
2. Since 2023, Agriculture Victoria has engaged with industry and producers on how Victoria will implement the national standards. In 2023, the Victorian Government committed to implementing the Poultry Welfare Standards into legislation.
3. In 2025, new poultry welfare regulations are being drafted for Victoria’s legislation. Agriculture Victoria is providing information and guidance about changes being introduced.
4. From early 2026, new poultry welfare requirements will be mandatory (legally required) in Victoria. Poultry producers and owners must comply with the new regulations once they are legislated.

Agriculture Victoria is continuing to work with producers, owners and industry on how best to implement changes. This includes new space allowance and furnishing requirements for cages. Further materials and resources will be provided to support producers and owners to prepare for changes.

Other Australian state and territory governments will implement the Poultry Welfare Standards under their respective animal welfare Act or regulations. The intention is for jurisdictions to implement the standards as soon as possible; however, amending legislation can take time.

Requirements until early 2026

• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 sets out the mandatory (legal) requirements for all poultry species.
• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2016 sets out the mandatory (legal) requirements for keeping and housing chickens.
• The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock include mandatory (legal) requirements for the transport of poultry.

Recommendations until early 2026

The Victorian codes of practice provide guidance for all poultry species. These include:

• Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Poultry.
• Code of Practice for the Husbandry of Captive Emus.
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals on Private Game Reserves Licensed to Hunt Game Birds.

Further information on other legal requirements for poultry is available on the Poultry welfare webpage.

Requirements from early 2026

• New poultry welfare regulations will come into effect, replacing the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2016. These regulations will introduce new mandatory (legal) requirements for the welfare of all poultry species in Victoria.
• The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock for the transport of poultry will remain in place.

Recommendations from early 2026

• The guidelines set out in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry will provide the recommended practices.
• Most existing codes of practice for the care and management of poultry will be retained. The Victorian Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Poultry will no longer apply.

Note: many of the current recommendations will now become mandatory (legal) requirements under the new regulations.