Livestock management legislation and regulations
There are several pieces of legislation that govern the management of livestock. Each piece of legislation contains important regulations and guidelines about the management of livestock and their welfare in Victoria.
Legislation
The Livestock Management Act (2010) was gazetted in January 2010. The act provides the legislative framework for integrating, in a consistent manner, nationally agreed standards relating to aspects of livestock management and for demonstrating these standards are met.
You must also be aware of these other important Acts relevant to managing livestock:
Standards and guidelines
Nationally consistent standards and guidelines for the welfare of livestock are being developed cooperatively by government and livestock industries, under the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).
In Victoria, these standards are being incorporated as regulations under the Livestock Management Act 2010 making them mandatory and enforceable.
Read about the standards and guidelines for the welfare of livestock.
You can find further information on these and other standards and guidelines:
Land transport standards
Standards and guidelines that ensure the welfare of livestock during land transport. They cover the transport of livestock by road and rail, and by livestock transport vehicle aboard a ship:
- Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines — Land Transport of Livestock
- Land Transport Standards Information Note
- Bobby Calf Transport Standards and Guidelines
- Land Transport Standards — Saleyards
- Land Transport Standards — Agents
Pig welfare standards and guidelines
Systematic risk assessments
The Livestock Management Act requires all livestock operators to comply with prescribed livestock management standards applicable to their particular livestock operation.
The Act also requires livestock operators to conduct a systematic risk assessment of the prescribed livestock management standards within six months of these Standards being adopted into regulations.
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - (general standards SA 1 to SA 6) (WORD - 111.5 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Alpaca specific standards (WORD - 48.0 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Cattle specific standards (WORD - 51.5 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Deer specific standards (WORD - 48.5 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Emus & Ostriches (Ratites) specific standards (WORD - 49.0 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Goat specific standards (WORD - 43.0 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Horse specific standards (WORD - 59.5 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Poultry specific standards (WORD - 54.0 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Sheep specific standards (WORD - 41.5 KB)
- Sample Template for Land Transport Standards - Pig specific standards (WORD - 49.0 KB)
- Sample Template for the Pig Welfare Standards (WORD - 104.0 KB)
Examples of risk assessments
- Example Land Transport Standards - Dairy Farmer (WORD - 45.5 KB)
- Example Land Transport Standards - Commercial Carrier (WORD - 47.0 KB)
- Example Risk Assessment for Pig Welfare Standards (WORD - 101.5 KB)
Approved compliance arrangements
The Livestock Management Act minimises regulatory burden by providing a co-regulatory mechanism to recognise existing government and industry compliance arrangements (e.g. quality assurance (QA) programs) that operate to achieve high standards for livestock management and that demonstrate compliance and monitoring of the prescribed standards.