New requirements for poultry producers and owners

By early 2026

• Any new cage infrastructure for chickens must have furnishings. These include:
  • perches or platforms
  • nest areas
  • abrasive devices or an area for scratching. In Victoria, cages must have either scratch areas, claw shortening devices or substrate (such as litter).
• Any new cage infrastructure for hens must also meet new space allowance requirements:
  • Meet a minimum height to allow hens to stand naturally
  • Have a minimum floor space of 1,000 cm² for a single chicken
  • Have a minimum floor space of 750 cm² per chicken when there are 2 or more in a cage
• There will be new space allowance and furnishing requirements for most poultry species. This is to allow birds to perch, nest and scratch.
• Most poultry species must be provided with substrate for foraging, scratching and pecking.
• Ducks must have access to water facilities to preen and clean their eyes and nostrils.
• Any new infrastructure for breeder ducks must have facilities to allow ducks to dip their heads or shower.
• All poultry have new requirements for the minimum light intensity and periods of darkness. This includes a minimum of 6 hours of darkness a day, with some exceptions.
• Producers with poultry housed in sheds must monitor and record ammonia levels. Corrective action must be taken if levels exceed the permitted amount.
• Induced moulting will be banned for all poultry, except under specified circumstances.
• Infrared beak trimming will only be permitted within a specified timeframe from hatching.
• Hot blade beak trimming will be banned, except in specified circumstances and under veterinary advice.

From 2032 to 2036

• By 2032, all breeder ducks must have access to facilities to allow ducks to dip their heads or shower.
• All cages must have furnishings and meet new space requirements. The national standards propose that all cages meet the new requirements by 2036. Conventional cages will no longer be permitted. More information about the implementation of these requirements in Victoria will be available shortly.

The above is an overview of the key requirements in the Poultry Welfare Standards that are being introduced in Victoria. For all standards, view the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry.

Note: the amount of change will differ for each producer and owner, based on their current infrastructure and practices. The standards allow for a choice of egg production systems for producers, including larger cages with furnishings (also known as furnished cages), barn and free range.

More information and guidance on Victoria’s new regulations will be available shortly.

Agriculture Victoria will continue to support poultry producers, owners and industry to prepare for changes.

Further materials and resources are being developed to provide more information and guidance. Materials will be available on our website and in email updates. Find out how to register for email updates at the bottom of this page.

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 set out the mandatory (legal) requirements for keeping and housing chickens.
• The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Land Transport of Livestock include 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.