Australian

Standards for the

Export of Livestock
3.3
© Commonwealth of Australia 2023

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attributed as: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
2023, Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3,
Canberra, November. CC BY 4.0.

ISBN 978-1-76003-489-4

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trade/export/controlled-goods/live-
animals/livestock/australian-standards-livestock..

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone 1800 900 090
Web agriculture.gov.au

Disclaimer
The Australian Government acting through the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has exercised due care and
skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this
publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, its employees and advisers, disclaim all
liability, including liability for negligence and for any loss,
damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a
result of accessing, using or relying on any of the information or
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The ASEL 3.3 update
The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) sets
out the minimum animal health and welfare standards exporters
must meet throughout the export supply chain. The ASEL is given
effect under the Export Control Act 2020 and is referenced in the
Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. Exporters must comply
with the ASEL to be permitted to export livestock from Australia.
The ASEL applies to exports of cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, deer,
and camelids.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has

committed to undertaking regular consultative, user-centric
updates and reviews of the standards, to ensure they are fit-for-
purpose and based on science, evidence and best practice.

The 2023 update addressed matters raised by internal and

external stakeholders and has resulted in a new version of the
standards, ASEL 3.3. The changes incorporate analysis of voyage
reports, review of scientific literature, and internal and external
consultation including feedback received during public
consultation in June, July and August 2023. ASEL 3.3 implements
changes that maintain or improve animal health and welfare
outcomes, update definitions and improve clarity and usability.
Emerging or more complex matters that may have significant
regulatory impact will be addressed in future reviews, in
consultation with industry and other stakeholders.
 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Contents
Definitions ................................................................................................. xi
Introduction.......................................................................................xxviii
Purpose .................................................................................................. xxviii
Compliance ........................................................................................... xxviii
Application...............................................................................................xxix
1 Standard 1 Sourcing and preparation of livestock for
export by sea ..................................................................................... 1
1.1 General and all species requirements ................................. 1
1.2 Buffalo sourcing and export criteria .................................... 7
1.3 Camelids sourcing and export criteria ..............................12
1.4 Cattle sourcing and export criteria .....................................12
1.5 Deer sourcing and export criteria .......................................18
1.6 Goat sourcing and export criteria .......................................18
1.7 Sheep sourcing and export criteria ....................................22
2 Standard 2 Land transport of livestock ................................ 26
2.1 General and all species requirements ...............................26
3 Standard 3 Management of livestock in registered
establishments .............................................................................. 27
3.1 General and all species requirements ...............................27
3.2 Buffalo management requirements ...................................36
3.3 Camelids management requirements ...............................37
3.4 Cattle management requirements ......................................37
3.5 Deer management requirements ........................................39
3.6 Goat management requirements.........................................39

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

3.7 Sheep management requirements ......................................40

3.8 Monitoring and reporting requirements .........................44
4 Standard 4 Vessel preparation and general management
for export by sea ........................................................................... 48
4.1 General and all species requirements ...............................48
5 Standard 5 Loading and onboard management
requirements ................................................................................. 55
5.1 General and all species requirements ...............................55
5.2 Buffalo loading and management requirements ..........63
5.3 Cattle loading and management requirements .............68
5.4 Goat loading and management requirements ...............84
5.5 Sheep loading and management requirements.............88
5.6 Monitoring and reporting requirements .........................91
6 Standard 6 Air transport of livestock ................................... 96
6.1 General and all species requirements ...............................96
6.2 Alpaca requirements ............................................................. 107
6.3 Buffalo requirements ............................................................ 111
6.4 Camel requirements .............................................................. 117
6.5 Cattle requirements ............................................................... 120
6.6 Deer requirements ................................................................. 126
6.7 Goat requirements.................................................................. 129
6.8 Llama requirements .............................................................. 135
6.9 Sheep requirements............................................................... 135
6.10 [deleted]...................................................................................... 140
6.11 Monitoring and reporting requirements ...................... 140
Appendix A: Pastoral zones............................................................. 142

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Appendix B: 15°S and 26°S parallels............................................ 144

Appendix C: Portable livestock units........................................... 145

Tables
Table 1 Rejection criteria for all species by sea ...................................... 3
Table 1a Buffalo body condition score ....................................................... 8
Table 2 [deleted] ................................................................................................13
Table 2a Non-dairy breed cattle body condition score .....................14
Table 3 Goat body condition score .............................................................19
Table 4 Sheep body condition score ..........................................................23
Table 5 Minimum pen space allocation for buffalo exported by sea
...................................................................................................................................64
Table 6 Feed requirements for buffalo .....................................................65
Table 7 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for buffalo
...................................................................................................................................66
Table 8 Additional minimum veterinary medicines and equipment
for pregnant buffalo..........................................................................................68
Table 9 Minimum default pen space allocation for cattle loaded at
a port north of latitude 26°S…………………………………………………… 70
This version of the title of Table 10a remains in force up to, and
including, 2 April 2024
Table 10a Alternative minimum pen space allocation for cattle
loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an exporter is
approved to use the alternative pen space – near
markets………………………………………………………………………………… 72
This version of the title of Table 10a comes into force on 3 April
2024

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Table 10a Alternative minimum pen space allocation for cattle

loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an exporter is
approved to use the alternative pen space – short-
haul…………..…………………………………………….…………………………….. 72
This version of the title of Table 10b remains in force up to, and
including, 2 April 2024
Table 10b Alternative minimum pen space allocation for cattle
loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an exporter is
approved to use the alternative pen space – far
markets………………………………………………………………………………… 73
This version of the title of Table 10b comes into force on 3 April
2024
Table 10b Alternative minimum pen space allocation for cattle
loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an exporter is
approved to use the alternative pen space – long-
haul…………..……………………………………...…………………………………… 73
Table 11a Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded at a
port south of latitude 26°S between 1 May and 31 October
(inclusive) and the voyage crosses latitude 15°S –
default……………………………………………..……………………………………. 76

Table 11b Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded at a port
south of latitude 26°S between 1 May and 31 October (inclusive)
and the voyage crosses latitude 15°S –
alternative ............................................................................................................77

Table 12a Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded at a port
south of latitude 26°S, between 1 November to 30 April (inclusive)
if the voyage crosses latitude 15°S, or all year for voyages that do
not cross latitude 15°S – default……………………………………………....79

Table 12b Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded at a port
south of latitude 26°S, between 1 November to 30 April (inclusive)
if the voyage crosses latitude 15°S, or all year for voyages that do
not cross latitude 15°S – alternative……………………………………...…80

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Table 13 Feed requirements for cattle .....................................................81

Table 14 Minimum veterinary medicines and veterinary
equipment for cattle .........................................................................................82
Table 15 Additional minimum veterinary medicines and
equipment for pregnant cattle .....................................................................84
Table 16 Minimum pen space allocation for goats exported by sea
...................................................................................................................................86
Table 17 Pellet composition for goats ......................................................87
Table 18 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for goats
...................................................................................................................................88
Table 19 Minimum pen space allocation for sheep exported by sea
...................................................................................................................................89
Table 20 Pellet composition for sheep .....................................................90
Table 21 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for sheep
...................................................................................................................................91
Table 22 Average daily mortality rate and notifiable mortality
level for livestock transported by sea………………………………………95
Table 23 Rejection criteria for all species by air ..................................98
Table 24 Alpaca body condition score ................................................... 108
Table 25 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for alpacas exported by
air .......................................................................................................................... 110
Table 26 Buffalo body condition score .................................................. 112
Table 27 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for buffalo exported by
air .......................................................................................................................... 116
Table 28 Camel body condition score .................................................... 117
Table 29 Non-dairy breed cattle body condition score .................. 121

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Table 30 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for cattle exported by

air .......................................................................................................................... 125
Table 31 Deer body condition score ....................................................... 127
Table 32 Minimum aircraft crate pen area of deer exported by air
................................................................................................................................ 129
Table 33 Goat body condition score ....................................................... 130
Table 34 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for goat exported by air
................................................................................................................................ 134
Table 35 Sheep body condition score .................................................... 136
Table 36 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for sheep exported by
air .......................................................................................................................... 139
Table 37 Notifiable mortality level for livestock transported by air
................................................................................................................................ 141

Figures
Figure 1 Graphical representation of linear interpolation .............. xxi
Figure 2a Dairy breed cattle body condition score (diagram shows
3 to 6 on scale of 1 to 8) ..................................................................................15
Figure 2b Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring of
goats ........................................................................................................................20
Figure 3 Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring of
alpacas................................................................................................................. 109
Figure 4 Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring of
non-dairy breed cattle .................................................................................. 121
Figure 5 Dairy breed cattle body condition score (diagram shows
3 to 6 on scale of 1 to 8) ............................................................................... 122

Figure 6 Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring of

goats .....................................................................................................................131

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Maps
Map 1 15° S and 26° S parallels ................................................................144

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

Definitions
These terms have been defined for the purpose of the Australian
Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3.

Accredited stockperson means a stockperson who is

accredited by the Australian Livestock Export Corporation Ltd
(LiveCorp) for the management of livestock on vessels.

Accredited Veterinarian (AAV) means a veterinarian who is

accredited under the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021 to
carry out export operations in approved export programs.

Ad libitum means that food and water is available at all times

with the quantity and frequency of consumption being the free
choice of the animal.

Adverse effect means an abnormal, harmful or undesirable

effect on an animal that causes anatomical or functional damage,
irreversible physical changes, or increases in susceptibility to
other biological, chemical, or environmental stresses.

Adverse weather means temperature and climatic conditions

(such as rain, hail, snow, wind, humidity, heat, storms, cyclones,
heatwaves and drought) that either individually or in
combination, are likely to expose livestock to heat or cold stress,
cause injury and/or result in other unfavourable animal health
or welfare outcomes.

Air export journey means the period from the time the first
animal is loaded into a crate for transport by air (be it on the
approved premises, other premises used for export preparation,

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at the airport or other), until the time the last animal is unloaded
from the aircraft at the final destination. To calculate journey
length, 24 hour periods are to be recorded in a single standard
time zone — such as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) — for
the duration of the journey. Also see flight.

Animal means the same as livestock.

Animal welfare means the physical and mental state of an

animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies, as
described in the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2021.

Appropriate for export means complying with all the

requirements of ASEL, the importing country requirements, the
Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Animals) Rules
2021 at the relevant stage of preparation for export.

Approved arrangement means an approved arrangement that

covers a kind of export operations in relation to prescribed
livestock that is approved under the Export Control Act 2020 and
Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

Approved export program (AEP) means an exporter’s

program of activities, approved by the Secretary, for AAVs
preparing livestock consignments for export or accompanying
livestock consignments on ships.

Approved blood test means an ELISA (enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay) that detects specific pregnancy-
associated glycoproteins, including pregnancy-specific protein B,
on serum or plasma samples. The test must be conducted by a
laboratory holding the appropriate score of ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation for the test.

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Approved premises means a place approved under the Export

Control (Animals) Rules 2021 for the pre-export quarantine or
isolation of livestock for export by air.

Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL)

means the document issued by the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority under Marine Order 43 (Cargo and cargo handling—
livestock) 2018.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) means the

authority established by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Act 1990.

Australian Veterinary Antimicrobial Prescribing Guidelines

(AVAPG) means the guidelines for the responsible prescription
of veterinary antimicrobials. A link to the National Centre for
Antimicrobial Stewardship can be found at ncas-australia.org.

Authorised officer means, for the purpose of ASEL an

Australian Commonwealth Government official authorised under
the Export Control Act 2020 to perform functions in accordance
with Australian export legislation.

Average daily mortality rate means the rate (percentage) that

is calculated by dividing the mortality rate for each species of the
consignment, by the number of voyage days. Average daily
mortality rate only applies to consignments exported by sea and
is to be calculated at the end of the voyage.

Certificate of health means an Australian government

certificate, issued by an authorised officer, which states that the
livestock meet the requirements of a specified importing country
relating to the health status of the livestock.

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Class means the export grouping of animals based on their end

use, be it feeder, slaughter or breeder. The term breeder includes
any subsets of this class such as productive heifers.

This definition of a clear day remains in force up to, and

including, 28 August 2024

Clear day means a full day, being 24 hours starting immediately

after midnight, not including the day of arrival to the registered
establishment for export preparation, or the day of loading for
export at the registered establishment. Clear days apply to the
animal, rather than at a whole-of-consignment level.

This definition of a clear day comes into force on 29 August

2024

Clear day means a full day (midnight to midnight) not including

the day of arrival at the registered establishment for export
preparation, or the day of loading for export at the registered
establishment, during which livestock are not subject to any feed
or water curfew. Clear days apply to the animal rather than at a
whole-of-consignment level.

Competent pregnancy tester means for cattle and buffalo, a

person accredited or permitted by the relevant state or territory
legislation, agency, or industry body if accepted by the state or
territory, to make a pregnancy diagnosis in the particular
species. Competent pregnancy testers may only diagnose
pregnancy for feeder/slaughter cattle or buffalo by manual
palpation. For deer, goat and sheep, a competent pregnancy
tester means a person who can attest to experience and skill in
pregnancy testing of the particular species.

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Competent stock handler means a person who can

demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills,
experience, attitude and behaviour to perform the required
activity, and has the ability to manage and handle animals
humanely, efficiently and capably. Supporting evidence of
competency includes:

• induction training; and/or

• records of on-the-job training; and/or
• recognised training and staff training registers; and/or
• relevant experience; and/or
• supervisor sign-off for specific tasks; and/or
• demonstrable ability.
Accredited stockpersons and AAVs can perform the role of a
competent stock handler without supporting evidence.

Consignment means a group of livestock that are under export

preparation by one exporter and are destined for export, or have
been exported, from a single seaport or airport.

Cow means a female bovine animal that has produced a calf or is

over 3 years of age.

Curfew (also known as 'empty out' time) means the deliberate

and variable period of water and/or feed deprivation.

Curfew factor means an additional percentage applied to the

liveweight of curfewed animals to account for weight loss due to
curfew, in order to more accurately estimate normal liveweight.

Delay means an additional unforeseeable extension to the

voyage duration above the estimated voyage length.

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Department means the relevant Commonwealth government

agency responsible for the regulation of live animal exports. At
the time of publication of this standard, this is the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Disembarkation means the unloading of livestock at any

overseas seaport or airport. Disembarkation commences with
the unloading of the first animal and ends when the last animal
is unloaded from the vessel or aircraft at the port.

Embarkation means the loading of livestock at any Australian

seaport or airport. Embarkation commences with the loading of
the first animal and ends when the last animal is loaded onto the
vessel or aircraft at the port.

Euthanasia means the act of inducing death of an animal in a

humane manner that causes immediate loss of consciousness
and then rapid death, by a method approved under national
animal welfare standards and guidelines, and model codes of
practice, for the species where available.

Export permit means a permit issued by the Secretary, or

delegate, under the Export Control Act 2020 to enable the export
of live animals from Australia.

Extended long-haul means a voyage that is 31 voyage days or

more in duration. See also short-haul and long-haul.

The definition of far markets remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024

Far markets means all other destination ports not covered in

the definition of near markets.

The definition of far markets will be removed on 3 April 2024

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Fat-tailed sheep means a general type of domestic sheep known

for their distinctive large tails and hindquarters.

Feed means any food intended for consumption by livestock,

such as chaff, hay, pellets or grain.

The definition of ‘first reasonable opportunity’ comes into

force on 29 August 2024

First reasonable opportunity means at the next management

procedure and / or within a timeframe that would be expected
by a reasonable person with the relevant knowledge, skills and
experience in the management of livestock given the urgency of
the situation in relation to the welfare of the livestock.

Fit to travel means the animal:

• can walk on its own by evenly bearing weight on all 4

legs; and
• is free from visible signs of injury or distress or
conditions likely to further compromise its health or
welfare during transport; and
• is strong enough to make the journey and is not
dehydrated or emaciated; and
• is not blind in either eye and can see well enough to
walk, load and travel without impairment or distress;
and
• has had adequate access to water prior to loading.
Flight means the portion of an air export journey that begins
when the first animal is loaded onto an aircraft and concludes
when the last animal is unloaded from the aircraft at the final
destination airport, and includes any transit stops en route.

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Hair sheep means any sheep breed that grows hair rather than
wool.

Health status means the status of an animal with respect to

animal disease and the importing country requirements.

Heat stress risk assessment (HSRA) means an assessment

performed using a heat stress model that combines weather
statistics, vessel parameters and animal heat tolerance factors to
determine the pen space allocation for the livestock for an
intended voyage to predict the risk of mortality or heat stress.

Heifer means a female bovine animal less than 3 years of age

that has not produced a calf.

Hospital pen means a designated area reserved for the sole

purpose of special care of weak, sick or injured animals.
Requirements for hospital pens can be found in Marine Order 43.

IATA Live Animal Regulations means the document titled Live

Animal Regulations published by the International Air
Transportation Association as it exists from time to time.

Immature animal means an animal that has not reached sexual

maturity and is not displaying secondary sexual characteristics
typical for the species such as descended testes, signs of being in
heat (oestrous), udder maturity or antlers. Typically, an
immature animal is yet to exhibit behavioural changes such as
dominance, riding or aggression.

Importing country requirements means:

• the conditions of the relevant importing country

protocol; and/or

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 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

• the conditions imposed by an importing country, any

relevant import permit, dispensation or approved
equivalency agreement.

Individual identification means a method of identifying each

animal in a way that is permanent or semi-permanent as to be
individually identifiable for the entire period of export
preparation, and the voyage or air export journey.

Land Transport Standards means the Australian Animal

Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of
Livestock published by Animal Health Australia (21 September
2012).

Linear interpolation means a method of finding new values at

positions between two data points.

The formula is: y = y1 + ((x – x1) * (y2 – y1)) / (x2 – x1).

For the purposes of ASEL, this is where x is the known value (the
animal’s liveweight in kilograms - Liveweight [kg]), y is the
unknown value (Minimum pen area [m2/head]), x1 and y1 are
the liveweight and pen area below the known value in the ASEL
table, and x2 and y2 are the liveweight and pen area above the
known value in the ASEL table.

For example, to find the pen area for a 23kg animal see below:

y = y1 + ((x – x1) * (y2 – y1)) / (x2 – x1)

• x is the known value (23kgs),

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• y is the unknown value (i.e. the Minimum pen area

[m2/head])

• x1 and y1 are the table values that are below the known
value (x1 = 20kgs, y1 = 0.238) and,

• x2 and y2 are the table values that are above the known
value (x2 = 30kgs, y2 = 0.311).
Minimum pen area (y) = 0.238 + ((23 – 20) * (0.311 – 0.238)) /
(30 – 20)

= 0.238 + (3 * 0.073) / 10

= 0.238 + 0.0219

= 0.259

Minimum pen area for a 23kg animal = 0.26m2

A graphical representation of linear interpolation is contained in

Figure 1.

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Figure 1 Graphical representation of linear interpolation

Source: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Livestock means the same as defined under the Export Control

(Animals) Rules 2021.

Loading plan or load plan means a plan which details the

number and species of livestock, where they will be placed on the
vessel or aircraft and how much space they are allocated.

Long-haul means a voyage that is 10 voyage days or more in

duration, but less than 31 voyage days. See also short-haul and
extended long-haul.

Management plan means a plan approved under an exporter’s

approved arrangement detailing how the exporter will manage
the risks associated with undertaking certain activities.

Marine Order 43 means Marine Order 43 (Cargo and cargo

handling—livestock) 2018 made under the Navigation Act 2012.

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MARPOL 73/78, Annex V means the International Convention

for the Prevention of Pollution from Vessels, 1973, as modified
by the Protocol of 1978 relating to (MARPOL 73/78). Annex V:
Prevention of pollution by garbage from vessels.

Mature animal means an animal that has reached sexual

maturity or is displaying secondary sexual characteristics typical
for the species such as descended testes, signs of being in heat
(oestrous), udder maturity or antlers. Mature animals may show
behaviours such as dominance, riding or aggression.

Model codes of practice means the codes of practice for

minimum welfare standards and practices for a range of
livestock species. A link to the model codes of practice can be
found at awe.gov.au/animal/welfare/standards-guidelines.

Mortality rate means the rate (percentage) that is calculated by

dividing the number of deaths of a species occurring during the
voyage or air export journey, for each export consignment in the
case of a shared vessel or aircraft, by the total number of that
species loaded and multiplying the resultant figure by 100. See
also average daily mortality rate.

National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines means

the welfare standards and guidelines that provide legal
requirements and recommended practices for the welfare of
livestock. A link to the National Animal Welfare Standards and
Guidelines can be found at
awe.gov.au/animal/welfare/standards-guidelines.

National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) means

Australia's system for the identification and tracing of cattle,
buffalo, sheep and goats.

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National Vendor Declaration (NVD)/Waybill means a

declaration that a livestock owner or person responsible for the
livestock signs and acts to trace an animal’s movement from
premises to premises throughout its life. NVDs/Waybills link the
traceability of livestock from the farm to other farms, through to
saleyards, transport and processing.

The definition of near markets remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024

Near markets means destination ports located south of latitude

15°N, east of longitude 90°E and west of longitude 180°.

The definition of near markets will be removed on 3 April

2024

Notice of Intention (NOI) means an application made to the

department by the exporter in accordance with the Export
Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

Notifiable incident means an incident that has the potential to

cause, or has caused a serious adverse effect to the health or
welfare of animals, as outlined in Standards 5.6.5 and 6.11.1.

Notifiable mortality level means for each species, the mortality

rate or 3 animals, whichever is the greater number of deceased
animals, where notification to the department is required (see
Table 22 and Table 37).

Pastoral and station sheep refers to sheep that have been

sourced from the pastoral zone, as identified in Appendix A.

Portable Livestock Unit (PLU) includes a box, platform,

container or other arrangement used to form pens or stalls for

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the carriage of livestock by sea. Portable livestock units are

required to comply with Marine Order 43, as they are 'portable
equipment' under that Order. Requirements for PLUs are
detailed in Appendix C and, where applicable, Standard 5.

Pre-export quarantine or isolation means a period of

quarantine or isolation of livestock prior to export, required by
an importing country.

PREgCHECK (National Cattle Pregnancy Detection (NCPD))

scheme means the pregnancy detection accreditation program
offered to members of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians group.

Preparation for export includes actions taken from sourcing

livestock through to the completion of loading those animals
onto the vessel or aircraft crate.

Property Identification Code (PIC) means a unique

identification code allocated by the relevant authority in a state
or territory to a block (or blocks) of land usually used for
agricultural purposes.

Property of source means, for the purposes of ASEL, the

premises or farm where the livestock resided prior to transport
to the registered establishment, approved premises or, for air
consignments, any other premises used for export preparation.

Registered establishment means a premises registered to

prepare livestock for export under the Export Control Act 2020
and the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

Registered establishment occupier means a person in whose

name the registered establishment is registered. See also
registered establishment.

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Registered establishment operations manual means the

operations manual for a registered establishment that sets out
how the premises will operate as approved under the Export
Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

Registered veterinarian means a person who is registered

under the law of an Australian state or territory as a
veterinarian, veterinary practitioner or veterinary surgeon.

Reporting day means, for onboard daily reporting purposes,

midday to midday local vessel time, with the exception of the
first day of loading and last day of unloading, arrangements for
which are described in the department’s policy on reporting. For
the purposes of calculating days for voyage length, see voyage
and voyage day.

Spay declaration means a declaration certifying an animal has

been spayed, made by the owner or manager of the premises
where the procedure was performed, including their name,
contact information and signature. The declaration also contains
the animal’s individual NLIS identification number, date of
procedure and type of the procedure.

South–East Asia means the countries of Brunei, Cambodia,

Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Short-haul means a voyage that is less than 10 voyage days

duration. See also long-haul and extended long-haul.

Sourced for export means the point in time at which livestock

are selected for export preparation for a consignment intending
to be exported, including ‘spare’ animals that may also be
prepared that serve as a contingency (e.g. if final weight

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allowances permit or if other animals under preparation are

rejected). This point in time may be before or after transport to
the registered establishment, approved premises or, for air
consignments, any other premises used for export preparation
and must be prior to commencement of any pre-export
quarantine or isolation, including required period of clear days.

Transhipment means a stop made en route to the final

destination airport, and the consignment changes aircraft.

Transit means a stop made en route to final destination airport,

and the consignment remains on board or is re-loaded onto the
same aircraft.

Vendor declaration means a declaration provided by an owner

or person responsible for the livestock with the required
knowledge of what is being declared, attesting to factors such as
an animal’s residency period at a premises, or if certain non-
notifiable diseases have been present on a premises where the
livestock have resided. This definition does not apply to National
Vendor Declarations (NVDs)/Waybills, which are defined under
National Vendor Declaration (NVD)/Waybill.

Voyage means the period from the time the first animal is
loaded onto the vessel (the first day of the voyage) until the time
the last animal is unloaded at the final port of disembarkation.
Voyage applies to sea consignments only. See air export
journey for information relevant to air consignments.

Voyage day means each 24 hour period from the

commencement of the voyage (or part thereof for the last day of
unloading). Voyage day applies to sea consignments only. See air
export journey for information relevant to air consignments.

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Water deprivation time means a continuous period that

livestock do not have access to water. The criteria that must be
included when calculating the total water deprivation time are:

• time off water during mustering and when yarded after

mustering; and
• water curfew; and
• all the time in transit, whether moving or stationary; and
• any time without water after unloading, such as at a
saleyard, spelling centre, transit/transfer point or
registered establishment or approved premises or other
premises; and
• any time without water after unloading from an aircraft
in the importing country (for air consignments only).
Wether means male sheep castrated at an early age before
secondary sexual characteristics have developed.

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Introduction
The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) sets
the minimum animal health and welfare requirements the
livestock export industry must meet throughout the supply chain,
from sourcing to completion of disembarkation overseas. The
standards apply to cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, deer and camelids
exported by air or sea.

The standards are enforceable under the Export Control Act 2020
and the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The Australian
approach is consistent with that taken by international bodies,
such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH),
involved in determining criteria for the health and welfare of
livestock.

Purpose
The purpose of these standards is to ensure livestock are
appropriate for export to manage the risks to livestock health
and welfare throughout the export supply chain, from sourcing
to completion of disembarkation overseas.

Compliance
These standards must be complied with as part of:

• the conditions of a livestock export licence; and

• the registration of an establishment or approval of a premises
to be used for holding, assembling and preparing livestock for
export; and

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• an exporter’s approved arrangement and Approved Export

Program (AEP) for the export of livestock.
Failure to comply with these standards may result in refusal
to grant an export permit and revocation of the certificate of
health and may result in performance management and
compliance action including cancellation or suspension of
registration, licence or approved arrangement.

Non-compliance with any relevant laws, regulations, standards

and guidelines relating to the health, welfare, handling,
treatment, transport and carriage of livestock will be considered
when assessing the competency and integrity of a person or body
corporate to continue to hold an establishment registration
and/or export licence.

Application
These standards must be read in conjunction with
Commonwealth, state and territory laws, regulations, standards
and guidelines relevant to the health, welfare, handling,
treatment, transport and carriage (sea and air) of livestock.
Importing country requirements relevant to the export
consignment must also be met.

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Standard 1 Sourcing and

preparation of livestock
for export by sea
Standard 1 covers the standards that relate to the sourcing and
preparation of livestock for export by sea. Please see Standard 6
for the standards that relate to the sourcing and preparation of
livestock for export by air.

1.1 General and all species

requirements
1.1.1 Livestock sourced for export must meet all relevant animal
health and welfare requirements under state and territory
legislation and relevant requirements under national animal
welfare standards and guidelines, and model codes of practice.

1.1.2 Livestock sourced for export must meet importing country

requirements.

This version of Standard 1.1.3 remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024
1.1.3 Livestock sourced for export must be:
a) identified in accordance with state and territory and National
Livestock Identification System (NLIS) requirements; and
b) traceable to the property of source; and
c) accompanied by correctly completed and signed movement
records such as NVDs/waybills; and

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d) individually identified where testing, including pregnancy

testing, is required during preparation, excluding
feeder/slaughter sheep and goats where the pregnancy
testing certification may identify animals to a mob-based
level; and
e) accompanied by any test results, including all pregnancy
testing and spay declarations where applicable. Laboratory
test results must be linked to the PIC from where the animal
was sampled and the NLIS tag number of the animal where
individual identification is required by state or territory
legislation.

This version of Standard 1.1.3 comes into force on 3 April

2024
1.1.3 Livestock sourced for export must be:

a) identified in accordance with state and territory and National

Livestock Identification System (NLIS) requirements; and
b) traceable to the property of source; and
c) accompanied by correctly completed and signed movement
records such as NVDs/waybills; and
d) individually identified where testing, including pregnancy
testing, is required during preparation, excluding
feeder/slaughter sheep and goats where the pregnancy testing
certification may identify animals to a mob-based level; and
e) accompanied by any test results, including all pregnancy
testing and spay declarations where applicable. Laboratory
test reports must include the results of the testing undertaken
and the below information in a single report:

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(i) the NLIS identification number of the animal

where individual identification is required by
state or territory legislation;
(ii) the PIC where the animal was sampled; and
(iii) the visual tag number of the animal (if applied).
1.1.4 Livestock sourced for export and intended for human
consumption must comply with Australian food safety
requirements, including standards for chemical residues or
environmental contaminants.

1.1.5 Livestock must not be sourced for export or exported unless

dehorning and tipping wounds are fully healed prior to any
transport.

1.1.6 Livestock must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been inspected by a competent stock handler and do
not show signs consistent with the rejection criteria specified in
Table 1, or any other condition that could cause the animal's
health or welfare to decline during export preparation or
transport.

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Table 1 Rejection criteria for all species by sea

NB: For some rejection criteria, management procedures may occur after sourcing so
livestock meet eligibility criteria at the time of export.

Category Rejection criteria

General • Sheep wool or hair longer than 25mm*
requirements • Failure to meet importing country requirements
including sex or breed if specified
• Pregnancy status not confirmed as appropriate for
export
• Lactating animals/lactating animals with young at foot
• Viral diseases such as scabby mouth or infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis
• Animals displaying clinical signs of infectious or
contagious disease or external parasites
• Animals showing signs of injury such as but not
limited to fractures or swelling
Systemic • Body condition score not appropriate for export (such
conditions as emaciated or over-fat)
• Anorexia (inappetence or 'shy feeders')
• Uncoordinated, collapsed, weak
• Unwell, lethargic, dehydrated
• Ill-thrift
Gastrointestinal • Dysentery or profuse diarrhoea
system • Bloat
Musculoskeletal • Abnormal gait or lameness of any kind
system • Abnormal soft tissue or bony swellings
Nervous system • Nervous symptoms such as head tilt, circling,
incoordination
• Abnormal or aggressive behaviour/intractable or
violent

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Category Rejection criteria

External/skin • Generalised papillomatosis or generalised ringworm
or dermatophilosis
• Generalised and extensive buffalo fly lesions
• Generalised skin disease or infection
• External skin cancer
• Lacerations that penetrate the full thickness of the
dermis or are likely to affect the health or welfare of
the animal
• Discharging wounds or abscesses
• Cutaneous myiasis (flystrike)
• Balanitis (pizzle rot in sheep)
• Blood/abnormal discharge from reproductive tract
(vulva/prepuce)
• Visible external parasites
Head • Blindness in 1 or both eyes
• Cancer eye
• Keratoconjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Excessive salivation
• Nasal discharge consistent with signs of a contagious
or infectious disease
• Coughing consistent with signs of a contagious or
infectious disease
• Respiratory distress or difficulty breathing
• Sharp horns
• Horns that could injure the animal or other animals
• Horns that could restrict access to feed or water
• Bleeding and/or not fully healed horn stumps or
broken antlers
• For sheep, horns longer than 1 full curl*
• For cattle, horns longer than 12cm**
• Scabby mouth

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Category Rejection criteria

Other • Groups of animals with unusual mortalities
• Disparities in sex, size, weight or age that could cause
an issue with the health or welfare of the animals
(redraft animals in this case)
* unless otherwise provided in a relevant management plan approved in writing
by the department

** horns may be longer than 12 cm if they are pointing downwards parallel to the
face or unless otherwise provided for in a relevant management plan approved
in writing by the department

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1.1.7 Female livestock must not be treated with a prostaglandin

drug:

a) within the 60 day period prior to export unless they have been
pregnancy tested immediately before prostaglandin treatment
and declared to be in the first trimester of pregnancy or not
detectably pregnant; nor

b) within 14 days prior to export.

1.1.8 Animal records must be kept by the exporter, from the time
of sourcing of livestock to their disembarkation in the importing
country, and retained for at least 2 years after the date of export.
These records must include details of:

a) the animal’s identification in accordance with state and

territory and NLIS requirements including:

i) all management procedures relevant to export

preparation such as disease testing, pregnancy testing,
shearing (to a mob/pen-based level), and date(s)
undertaken; and

ii) all veterinary medicines and agricultural chemicals used

to vaccinate or treat the animal (including species,
treatment date(s), trade name or active ingredient, batch
number, and if used according to manufacturer’s
directions. If not used according to manufacturer’s
directions, the dose administered is to be included); and

iii) any mortality, sickness, injury or other sign consistent

with the rejection criteria found, and where applicable,
actions taken to remove any rejected animals from the

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consignment, and the animal’s handling, care, treatment,

euthanasia and/or disposal; and

b) inspections by veterinarians or competent stock handlers of

livestock health, welfare and appropriateness for export; and

c) all other information required to demonstrate compliance

with relevant ASEL standards.

1.1.9 Veterinary medicines, chemicals and equipment must be

stored and used according to any applicable veterinary directions
and/or manufacturers' recommendations.

1.2 Buffalo sourcing and export

criteria
1.2.1 Buffalo must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export.

1.2.2 Buffalo must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 21 days.

1.2.3 Buffalo sourced for export must have an individual

liveweight of 200kg to 500kg (inclusive). Animals outside of these
weights must not be sourced for export or exported, unless
otherwise provided:

a) for buffalo less than 200kg, in a light buffalo management plan

approved in writing by the department, and buffalo must have
an individual liveweight of 200kg or more at the time of
export; or

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b) for buffalo more than 500kg, in a heavy buffalo management

plan approved in writing by the department.
1.2.4 Buffalo must not be sourced for export or exported unless
they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
buffalo body condition scoring in Table 1a and have a body
condition score of 2 to 4 (inclusive) (on a scale of 1 to 5).

Table 1a Buffalo body condition score

Score Description P8 fat mm Loin surface Illustration of
thickness vertical section of
the loin region
between spinous
and transverse
processes

1 Emaciated; very weak – 0 Severely

extreme muscle concave
wastage. All bones
highly visible. Skin
'draped' over skeleton.
Unsteady gait.

2 Lean; short ribs visible, 0 Moderately

hook and pin bones still concave
prominent. Can easily
count all ribs. Some
muscle depletion. No
subcutaneous fat visible
or palpable.

3 Store; (average) good 1 to 4 Level, even

muscle definition, with slope
fat starting to be
deposited, rib outlines
disappearing, hook and
pin bones still defined.

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Score Description P8 fat mm Loin surface Illustration of

thickness vertical section of
the loin region
between spinous
and transverse
processes

4 Prime; quite even and 5 to 35 Moderately

smooth over whole convex
backline. Muscling
becoming more convex
due to fat deposition.

5 Overfat; usually only >36 Severely

mature cows can convex,
achieve this condition. crease/dip
Bulbous fat deposits along spine
both sides of tail head.
Pin and hook bones not
discernible.

Source: NT Buffalo Industry Council Inc.

1.2.5 Female buffalo sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must:

a) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or

manager of the premises where the procedure was performed
including name, contact information and signature, that
certifies that the animal has been spayed not less than 30 days
prior to export using the Willis dropped ovary technique and
includes the animal’s individual NLIS identification number
and date of the procedure; or

b) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or

manager of the premises where the procedure was performed
including name, contact information and signature, that
certifies that the animal has been spayed not less than 280

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days prior to export and includes the animal’s individual NLIS

identification number and date of the procedure; or

c) be pregnancy tested within 30 days prior to export, by a

registered veterinarian or competent pregnancy tester who
must certify in writing that the animal is not detectably
pregnant and include with the certification their name,
registration or accreditation number (or other authorisation)
and signature, and the animal’s individual NLIS identification
number and the date of the procedure; and

d) undergo the above pregnancy testing by manual palpation or

an approved blood test (as accreditation/authorisation
permits). Registered veterinarians may use ultrasound if the
animal is too small to be manually palpated.

1.2.6 Female buffalo sourced for export as breeder animals must

be no more than 220 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
discharge in the importing country, and must be pregnancy tested
within 30 days prior to export:
a) by a registered veterinarian using an approved blood test;
and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, undergo testing as per b) or

c) below; or

b) if the voyage is less than 10 voyage days, by a registered

veterinarian that attests to current experience and
competency in buffalo pregnancy diagnosis, using manual
palpation, or by a registered veterinarian that is accredited

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under the PREgCHECK (NCPD) scheme if the animal is too

small to be manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as

pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; or

c) if the voyage is 10 voyage days or more, by a registered

veterinarian that is accredited under the PREgCHECK (NCPD)
scheme, using manual palpation or if the animal is too small
to be manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as

pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; and

d) with the certification stating the animal’s individual NLIS

identification number and date of the procedure, the
veterinarians name, registration number and signature, their
attestation to experience and competency, or for voyages 10
days or more or animals tested by ultrasound, their
PREgCHECK accreditation number and a statement of their
accreditation.

1.2.7 Buffalo with horns must only be sourced for export or

exported if they have:

a) blunt horns; and

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b) horns that are less than the spread of the ears, unless
otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock management
plan approved in writing by the department.

1.3 Camelids sourcing and export

criteria
1.3.1 Camelids must not be sourced for export or exported unless
otherwise provided in a camelids by sea management plan
approved in writing by the department.

1.4 Cattle sourcing and export criteria

1.4.1 Cattle must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export.

1.4.2 Cattle sourced for export must have an individual liveweight

of 200kg to 500kg inclusive. Animals outside of these weights must
not be sourced for export or exported, unless otherwise provided:

a) for cattle less than 200kg, in a light cattle management plan

approved in writing by the department, and cattle must have
an individual liveweight of 200kg or more at the time of
export; or

b) for cattle more than 500kg, in a heavy cattle management plan

approved in writing by the department.

1.4.3 Bos taurus cattle sourced for export from any area of
Australia south of latitude 26°S must only be exported on
voyages that cross the equator and depart between 1 May and 31
October (inclusive) if:

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a) they have been determined in accordance with the conditions

in Standard 1.4.5, or Standard 1.4.6 and 1.4.7, to be not
detectably pregnant, unless otherwise provided in a pregnant
southern sourced Bos taurus cattle crossing the equator from
May to October management plan approved in writing by the
department; and

b) for cattle to or through the Middle East, a HSRA indicates that

the risk is manageable (less than 2% risk of a 5% mortality).
1.4.4 Cattle must not be sourced for export or exported unless
they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
cattle body condition scoring in Table 2a (non-dairy breed cattle)
or Figure 2a (dairy breed cattle) and have:

a) for non-dairy breed cattle, a body condition score of 2 to 4

(inclusive) (on a scale of 0 to 5), unless they are Bos taurus
cattle sourced for export from, or exported through, any area
of Australia north of latitude 26°S between 1 October and 31
December (inclusive), then they must have a body condition
score of 2 to 3 (inclusive) (on a scale of 0 to 5);

b) for dairy breed cattle, a body condition score of 3.5 but less
than 5.5 (on a scale of 1 to 8), unless they are Bos taurus
cattle sourced for export from, or exported through, any area
of Australia north of latitude 26°S between 1 October and 31
December (inclusive), then they must have a body condition
score of 3.5 or more but less than 5 (on a scale of 1 to 8).

Table 2 [deleted]

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Table 2a Non-dairy breed cattle body condition score

Score Description

0 Severely emaciated.

1 The individual bones are sharp to the touch, with no fat at the
head of the tail. Hip bones and ribs are prominent.

2 The individual bones can be felt easily, but feel rounded rather
than sharp. There is some tissue cover around the tail head.
Individual ribs are no longer visually obvious.

3 The short ribs can be felt only with firm thumb pressure. Areas
either side of the tail head have fat cover that can be felt easily.

4 The ribs cannot be felt and fat cover around the tail head is
easily seen as slight mounds, soft to touch. Folds of fat are
beginning to develop over the ribs and thighs.

5 The bone structure of the animal is no longer noticeable and

the tail head is almost completely buried in fatty tissue.

Source: Cattle Council of Australia

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Figure 2a Dairy breed cattle body condition score (diagram

shows 3 to 6 on scale of 1 to 8)

Source: DEPI (Vic)

1.4.5 Female cattle sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must:

a) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or

manager of the premises where the procedure was
performed including name, contact information and
signature, that certifies that the animal has been spayed not
less than 30 days prior to export using the Willis dropped
ovary technique and includes the animal’s individual NLIS
identification number and date of the procedure; or
b) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or
manager of the premises where the procedure was
performed including name, contact information and

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signature, that certifies that the animal has been spayed not
less than 280 days prior to export and includes the animal’s
individual NLIS identification number and date of the
procedure; or
c) be pregnancy tested within 30 days prior to export by a
registered veterinarian, or competent pregnancy tester, who
must certify in writing that the animal is not detectably
pregnant and include with the certification their name,
registration or accreditation number (or other authorisation)
and signature, and the animal’s individual NLIS identification
number and the date of the procedure; and
d) undergo the above pregnancy testing by manual palpation or
an approved blood test (as accreditation/authorisation
permits). Registered veterinarians may use ultrasound if the
animal is too small to be manually palpated.
1.4.6 Female cattle sourced for export as breeder animals must be
no more than 190 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
discharge in the importing country, and must be pregnancy tested:

a) by a registered veterinarian using an approved blood test; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as not

detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, undergo testing as per b) or

c) below; or

b) if the voyage is less than 10 voyage days, by a registered

veterinarian that attests to current experience and
competency in cattle pregnancy diagnosis, using manual
palpation or by a registered veterinarian that is accredited

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under the PREgCHECK (NCPD) scheme if the animal is too

small to be manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as not

detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as

pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; or

c) if the voyage is 10 voyage days or more, by a registered

veterinarian that is accredited under the PREgCHECK (NCPD)
scheme, using manual palpation or if the animal is too small to
be manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as not

detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as

pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; and

d) with the certification stating the animal’s individual NLIS

identification number and date of the procedure, the
veterinarians name, registration number and signature, their
attestation to experience and competency, or for voyages 10
voyage days or more or animals tested by ultrasound, their
PREgCHECK accreditation number and a statement of their
accreditation.

1.4.7 Pregnancy test certification for Standard 1.4.6 is valid for:

a) 30 days for pregnant cattle, unless an exporter has applied for

a certification validity extension, and received approval in
writing from the department, prior to loading; and

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b) 60 days for not detectably pregnant cattle, from the date of

the procedure or collection of blood sample.
1.4.8 Cattle with horns must only be sourced for export or
exported if the solid non-vascular tip has been removed to a
diameter of 3cm (or less if the horn vasculature does not allow)
and horns have a blunt horn end; and

a) horns are no longer than 12cm in length at the time of export,

unless otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock
management plan approved in writing by the department; or
b) horns are longer than 12cm in length at the time of export
and are pointing downwards parallel to the face and do not
show signs consistent with the rejection criteria specified in
Table 1.

1.5 Deer sourcing and export criteria

1.5.1 Deer must not be sourced for export or exported unless
otherwise provided in a deer by sea management plan approved in
writing by the department.

1.6 Goat sourcing and export criteria

1.6.1 Goats must not be exported by sea on voyages of 10 voyage
days or more.

1.6.2 Goats must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to

sourcing for export.

1.6.3 Goats must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 21 days.

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1.6.4 Goats must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have a liveweight of 24kg or more.

1.6.5 Goats must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
goat body condition scoring in Table 3 and have a body condition
score of 2 to 4 (inclusive) (on a scale of 1 to 5).

Table 3 Goat body condition score

Score Long ribs Short ribs (B) Backbone (C) Eye muscle
(A) (D)
1 Individual Short ribs are Bones are raised Feels
ribs can be prominent; it is and sharp; it is noticeably
felt very easy to feel easy to feel dished.
easily; cannot between them. The between them.
feel any muscle mass The muscle mass
tissues over extends two-thirds extends two-
the ribs. or less of the way thirds or less of
along them. the way along
them.
2 Individual Ends of short ribs Bones are slightly Feels
ribs can be feel square; it is raised and can be straight or
felt very easy to feel easily felt, with slightly
easily but between them. noticeable dishing dished.
slight amount The muscle mass between them.
of tissue is extends to the end
present. of the short ribs.
3 Individual End of short ribs Bones are raised Feels
ribs can be are rounded; it is and the ends are slightly
felt easily but still possible to feel rounded; it is still rounded.
some tissue between them. possible to feel
is present. between them.
4 Individual Ends of short ribs Bones are slightly Feels well
ribs can still are rounded; it raised; it is rounded.
be felt but may be possible to possible to feel
tissue is press between them but not
prominent. between them.

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea

Score Long ribs Short ribs (B) Backbone (C) Eye muscle
(A) (D)
them with
pressure.
5 Individual None or only one Some bone ends Feels very
ribs can be or two bone ends may still be felt or well
felt or just nearest the rib backbone may be rounded.
felt; tissue is cage may be felt. It recessed in fat and
very is not possible to difficult to feel. It
prominent press between is not possible to
and may be them. feel between bone
fluid. ends.

Source: Greenwood et al., 2001

Figure 2b Visual aid for assisting with body condition

scoring of goats

Source: AUS-MEAT

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea

1.6.6 Female goats sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must be individually pregnancy tested using ultrasound
within 30 days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy tester
who must certify in writing that the animals are not detectably
pregnant. The certification must include the certifier’s name,
veterinary registration number or attestation to experience and
skill in pregnancy testing of goats, signature, the mob’s
identification, and the date of the procedure.

1.6.7 Female goats sourced for export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement

within 30 days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy
tester; and
b) be certified in writing by the competent pregnancy tester as
either not detectably pregnant or pregnant and if pregnant
include the number of days pregnant. The certification must
include the certifier’s name, veterinary registration number
or attestation to experience and skill in pregnancy testing of
goats, signature, the individual identification number of the
animal and the date of the procedure; and
c) be no more than 100 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
discharge in the importing country.
1.6.8 Goats with horns must only be sourced for export or
exported if:

a) the horns would not cause damage to the head or eyes of the
animal or other animals; and
b) the horns would not endanger other animals during
transport; and

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea
c) the horns would not restrict access to feed or water during
transport; and
d) unless otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock
management plan approved in writing by the department, the
horns:
i) are no longer than 22cm with tips that are no more
than 20cm apart; or
ii) have tips that are further than 20cm apart, but the
horns are no longer than 15cm and are blunt.

1.7 Sheep sourcing and export criteria

1.7.1 Sheep must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export.

1.7.2 Sheep must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have a liveweight of 32kg or more, or if pregnant, 40kg or
more.

1.7.3 Sheep must not be sourced for export or exported through

any Australian ports north of latitude 26°S from 1 November to 31
May (inclusive).

1.7.4 Sheep must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
sheep body condition scoring in Table 4 and have a body
condition score of 2 to 4 (inclusive) (on a scale of 1 to 5).

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea

Table 4 Sheep body condition score

Score Backbone Short ribs Illustration

1 The bones form a The ends of the short ribs
sharp narrow ridge. are very obvious. It is
Each vertebra can easy to feel the squarish
be easily felt as a shape of the ends. Using
bone under the skin. fingers spread 1 cm apart,
There is only a very it feels like the fingernail
small eye muscle. under the skin with
The sheep is quite practically no covering.
thin (virtually
unsaleable).
2 The bones form a The ends of the short ribs
narrow ridge but are rounded but it is easy
the points are to press between them.
rounded with Using fingers spread
muscle. It is easy to 0.5 cm apart, the ends feel
press between each rounded like finger ends.
bone. There is a They are covered with
reasonable eye flesh but it is easy to
muscle. Store press under and between
condition ideal for them.
wethers and lean
meat.
3 The vertebrae are The ends of the short ribs
only slightly are well rounded and
elevated above a full filled in with muscle.
eye muscle. It is Using 4 fingers pressed
possible to feel each tightly together, it is
rounded bone but possible to feel the
not to press rounded ends but not
between them. between them. They are
Forward store well covered and filled in
condition ideal for with muscle.
most lamb markets
now. No excess fat.

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea

Score Backbone Short ribs Illustration

4 It is possible to feel It is only possible to feel
most vertebrae with or sense 1 or 2 short ribs
pressure. The back and only possible to press
bone is a smooth under them with
slightly raised ridge difficulty. It feels like the
above full eye side of the palm, where
muscles and the maybe one end can just
skin floats over it. be sensed.
5 The spine may only It is virtually impossible
be felt (if at all) by to feel under the ends as
pressing down the triangle formed by the
firmly between the long ribs and hip bone is
fat covered eye filled with meat and fat.
muscles. A bustle of The short rib ends cannot
fat may appear over be felt.
the tail (wasteful
and uneconomic).

Source: Lifetime Wool

1.7.5 Female sheep with a weight of 40kg or more, and all female
fat-tailed sheep sourced for export as feeder or slaughter animals
must be individually pregnancy tested using ultrasound within
30 days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy tester who
must certify in writing that the animals are not detectably
pregnant. The certification must include the certifier’s name,
veterinary registration number or attestation to experience and
skill in pregnancy testing of sheep, signature, the mob’s
identification, and the date of the procedure.

1.7.6 Female sheep sourced for export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement

within 30 days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy
tester; and

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Standard 1
Sourcing and preparation of livestock for export by sea

b) be certified in writing by the competent pregnancy tester as

either not detectably pregnant or pregnant and if pregnant
include the number of days pregnant. The certification must
include the certifier’s name, veterinary registration number
or attestation to experience and skill in pregnancy testing of
sheep, signature, the individual identification number of the
animal and the date of the procedure; and
c) be no more than 100 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
discharge in the importing country.
1.7.7 Sheep with horns must not be sourced for export or
exported if the horns:

a) could cause damage to the head or eyes of the animal or other

animals during transport; and
b) could injure the animal or other animals during transport;
and
c) could restrict access to feed or water during transport; and
d) are more than 1 full curl, unless otherwise provided for in a
long–horned livestock management plan approved in writing
by the department, or show signs consistent with the
rejection criteria specified in Table 1.

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 2
Land transport of livestock

Standard 2 Land transport

of livestock
Standard 2 sets the land transport requirements for the export of
livestock by sea. This standard must be read in conjunction with
the Land Transport Standards, which must also be adhered to.

2.1 General and all species

requirements
2.1.1 The land transport of livestock must meet the Land
Transport Standards, as well as any relevant animal health and
welfare and road transport requirements under state and
territory legislation and relevant requirements under national
animal welfare standards and guidelines, and model codes of
practice.

2.1.2 The land transport of livestock must also meet any

importing country requirements for the land transport phases in
the export supply chain.

2.1.3 The maximum water deprivation time and minimum rest

times in the Land Transport Standards must be adhered to for all
land transport of livestock.

2.1.4 Well-trained dogs may be used to help with the loading and
unloading of livestock (other than camelids and deer). Dogs must
be muzzled. The number of dogs used should be the minimum
necessary to complete the task. Working dogs must not be
transported in the same pen as livestock.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

Standard 3 Management
of livestock in registered
establishment
Standard 3 covers the standards that relate to the management
of livestock in registered establishments for exports by sea.
Requirements for livestock in the registered establishment are
applicable once livestock have been sourced for export (see
Sourced for export definition). Please see Standard 6 for the
standards that relate to the management of livestock in premises
for export by air.

3.1 General and all species

requirements
3.1.1 The location of the registered establishment used to hold
and assemble livestock prior to transport to the vessel must not
be more than 8 hours journey time from the port of embarkation,
unless the livestock are camels and the location of the registered
establishment is otherwise provided in a camelids by sea
management plan approved in writing by the department.

3.1.2 Livestock must not leave the registered establishment to be

loaded onto a vessel until the vessel is in a fit state to load
livestock in relation to AMSA, biosecurity and the master’s
requirements, unless otherwise provided in a leaving registered
establishment before vessel clearance management plan approved
in writing by the department.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.1.3 The occupier of a registered establishment must employ

sufficient appropriately trained staff for the effective day-to-day
operation of the establishment and management of the
livestock.

3.1.4 To control drainage, surface water, groundwater and

effluent run-off, the registered establishment must be
located and/or constructed in such a manner that:

a) surface water and livestock effluent are directed away

from laneways, livestock handling areas, livestock
confinement areas and feed storage areas; and
b) the livestock confinement area of the registered
establishment is free draining and that the surface remains
firm; and
c) the surfaces around feed and water troughs are evenly
graded and compacted to form a hard, durable surface
that readily sheds surface water.
3.1.5 The registered establishment must be located and/or
constructed in such a manner as to provide the livestock with
adequate protection from adverse climatic conditions, that
addresses the particular needs of the species, class and maximum
number of animals to be held at the establishment and the types
of operations to be carried out, by the means of:

a) shade; and/or
b) windbreaks; and/or
c) shelter; and/or
d) other means provided in a registered establishment
operations manual approved in writing by the department.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.1.6 Livestock handling facilities and livestock sheds at the

registered establishment must meet specified conditions:

a) where sheds are used:

i) they must be constructed with sufficient drainage and

ventilation to ensure that the shed is free draining; and

ii) any slatted or mesh floors must be designed and

maintained to prevent entrapment of feet; and

b) livestock handling facilities must be designed, constructed

and maintained to facilitate livestock handling, inspection
and separation of individual animals that prevents injury and
minimises stress; and

c) floors of yards, sheds, pens and loading ramps must have non-
slip surfaces.

3.1.7 Fencing at the registered establishment must:

a) be appropriate to hold livestock and to prevent the

unintended entry or exit of livestock; and
b) be maintained in a good state of repair; and
c) be inspected by the registered establishment occupier to
ensure that the fences are fit for purpose, before the entry
of each consignment and twice a week while livestock are
in the registered establishment; and
d) be consistent with any importing country requirements.
3.1.8 To ensure adequate supply of feed and water, the
registered establishment occupier is responsible for ensuring
that:

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

a) feeders, self-feeders and water troughs must be of a design

or managed in such a way that prevents spoilage of feed,
particularly during adverse climatic conditions; and
b) livestock must be fed feed that is neither contaminated
nor spoiled, and all pelletised feed must be placed in
troughs so that animals do not eat from the ground or
floor; and
c) all livestock feed must be stored in a manner that
maintains the integrity and nutritional value of the feed,
and protects it from weather, pests and external
contaminants including chemical spray drift, and from
direct access by animals; and
d) all livestock in the registered establishment must have
access to drinking water at all times unless under curfew;
and
e) water troughs are inspected daily, kept clean and
positioned apart from bedding and feed sources to prevent
fouling.
3.1.9 Water quality must be suitable for the livestock.

3.1.10 The occupier of the registered establishment must have

arrangements in place to ensure that backup water storage exists,
or a contingency plan to address loss of supply is in place, to
ensure continuity of water supply to all livestock held at the
registered establishment at peak demand for at least 2 days. This
must be a minimum daily amount of 12% of liveweight for cattle
and buffalo, and 4 litres/head for sheep and goats. If temperatures
exceed 35°C, water supply must be increased by 25%.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.1.11 The occupier of the registered establishment must have

arrangements in place to prevent unauthorised entry and access to
the establishment, including feed storage areas, when livestock are
being prepared for export. Access to the establishment must be
controlled at all times, with:

a) all entry points to the establishment being clearly signed and

able to be secured; and

b) only those persons necessary for the day to-day operation of

the establishment and government officials having direct
access to the establishment; and
c) all non-employees first reporting to reception for appropriate
biosecurity checks and induction relevant to the
requirements of the establishment.

3.1.12 When receiving and identifying livestock, the occupier

of the registered establishment must obtain a copy of all
relevant NVDs/waybills regarding the property of source of
the livestock before accepting the livestock.

3.1.13 [deleted]

3.1.14 All livestock accepted into the registered establishment

must be offered water and feed as soon as possible after
unloading and no more than 12 hours after arrival at the
registered establishment. Maximum water deprivation times, as
outlined in the Land Transport Standards and relevant
legislation, must not be exceeded.

This version of Standard 3.1.15 remains in force up to, and

including, 28 August 2024

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.1.15 Livestock must be individually inspected at unloading,

and inspected at least daily, to determine whether they are
suitable for preparation for export. Any livestock identified as
being distressed, injured or otherwise unsuitable for export
(including the rejection criteria outlined in Standard 1 Table 1)
must be rejected from the consignment, marked by a semi-
permanent or permanent method and isolated from the rest of
the consignment. Any other condition that could be defined as an
infectious or contagious disease, or would mean that the
animal's health or welfare could decline or that the animal would
suffer distress during transport, also requires the animal's
rejection from export preparation. For any livestock found
unsuitable, arrangements must be made for their prompt and
humane handling, treatment and care, including:

a) provision of treatment to all sick or injured livestock; and

b) provision of veterinary advice if the cause of a sickness or

injury is not obvious, or if action taken to prevent or treat
the problem is ineffective; and

c) where required euthanasia and/or disposal, in compliance

with all relevant and applicable legislation.

This version of Standard 3.1.15 comes into force on 29 August

2024

3.1.15 Livestock must be individually inspected at unloading, and

inspected at least daily, to determine whether they are suitable for
preparation for export.

a) Any animal must be rejected from the consignment if they:

i) are identified as being distressed or injured: or

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

ii) have a condition that could be defined as an infectious or

contagious disease; or

iii) have a condition where the animal’s health or welfare could

decline; or

iv) could suffer distress during the export process, or are

otherwise unsuitable for export (including the rejection criteria
outlined in Standard 1 Table 1); or

v) do not meet importing country requirements;

b) All rejected animals must be individually visually marked upon

identification where feasible, or at the first reasonable
opportunity, by a semi-permanent or permanent method;

c) Isolation of rejected animals from the rest of the consignment:

i) must occur upon identification if the rejected animal is

injured or suffering distress; or

ii) must occur upon identification where feasible, or at the first

reasonable opportunity, if the rejected animal has an infectious or
contagious disease; or

iii) should occur upon identification where feasible or at the

first reasonable opportunity if the rejected animal is not suffering
distress or does not have an infectious or contagious disease;

d) Arrangements must be made for the prompt and humane

handling, treatment and care of rejected livestock, including:

i) provision of treatment to all sick or injured livestock; and

ii) provision of veterinary advice if the cause of a sickness or

injury is not obvious, or if action taken to prevent or treat the
problem is ineffective; and

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

iii) where required euthanasia and/or disposal, in compliance

with all relevant and applicable legislation;

e) All rejected animals must be removed from the consignment

prior to being loaded for departure from the registered
establishment to the port of embarkation.

3.1.16 Livestock must be penned so that:

a) animals of different species are not mixed in a single pen; and

b) different classes of animals are not mixed in a single pen; and
c) animals of different sexes, pregnancy status, or physical
characteristics (such as those covered under any applicable
management plans and entire vs castrated male livestock) are
not mixed in a single pen. This excludes differences in the
following categories where animals may be penned together:

i) ewe and wether lambs;

ii) entire and spayed female livestock;

iii) ≤500kg and >500kg cattle and buffalo (provided the

weight of each animal in the pen does not vary from
the pen average weight by more than 50 kg, and that
all animals in the pen are managed in accordance
with ASEL and an approved heavy management
plan); and

iv) immature bulls and steers which have been

socialised in the source mob.

d) animals of different health status are kept separated; and

e) immature animals are separated from mature animals; and
f) animals of a dissimilar size and/or weight are separated.

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.1.17 Livestock for export must be held and assembled at the

registered establishment in accordance with the exporter’s
approved arrangement and any applicable management plans.

3.1.18 Where a period of pre-export quarantine or isolation is

required by the importing country, animals forming the
consignment must at all times be physically isolated to prevent
contact with all other animals and as per the importing country
requirements, whether the other animals are for an alternative
export market or domestic use.

3.1.19 Where handling facilities used for loading, holding,

treating or inspecting livestock (including roadway and lanes)
are to be used for both domestic and export livestock (including
livestock with different health status), the occupier of the
establishment must have procedures in place to ensure that:

a) handling facilities are not used simultaneously by livestock of

differing health status; and
b) a minimum livestock traffic separation of 2 metres is
maintained at all times, or livestock are separated by a
physical barrier such as a fenced road or lane or a fully
fenced empty paddock, unless otherwise specified by the
importing country; and
c) handling facilities, equipment and human resources
used by different consignments of animals are managed
in accordance with the pre-export quarantine or
isolation requirements of each importing country.
3.1.20 Daily monitoring of livestock health, welfare and mortality
must include:

a) inspection of all livestock by a competent stock handler; and

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

b) rejection of any livestock and their management as per

Standard 3.1.15; and
c) investigation by a registered veterinarian if mortalities in
any 1 paddock or shed exceed 0.1% or 3 deaths, whichever
is the greater, on any 1 day for cattle and buffalo, or 0.25%
or 3 deaths, whichever is greater, on any 1 day for any
other species of livestock; and
d) removal of dead livestock on a daily basis. Carcases must
be disposed of in compliance with all relevant and
applicable legislation.

3.2 Buffalo management

requirements
3.2.1 Buffalo must be fed daily a minimum of 2.5% of their
body weight of suitable monensin-free feed of a quality able to
meet daily maintenance requirements.

This version of Standard 3.2.2 remains in force up to, and

including, 28 August 2024

3.2.2 The minimum length of time that buffalo must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear
days. For any clear day on which animals are subject to a feed or
water curfew, an additional clear day is required.

This version of Standard 3.2.2 comes into force on 29 August 2024

3.2.2 The minimum length of time that buffalo must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear
days. A day on which an animal is subject to a feed or water
curfew is not a clear day.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.2.3 Buffalo at the registered establishment must be penned

in accordance with these space allocations:

a) for buffalo held for less than 30 days, a minimum of 4m2

each, based on an individual liveweight of 500kg (this
allowance can be decreased by 0.04m2 for each 5kg
decrease in individual liveweight and must be increased
by 0.04m2 for each 5kg increase in individual liveweight);
or
b) for buffalo held for 30 days or more, a minimum of 9m2
each, based on an individual liveweight of 500kg (this
allowance can be decreased by 0.09m2 for each 5kg
decrease in individual liveweight and must be increased
by 0.09m2 for each 5kg increase in individual liveweight).

3.3 Camelids management

requirements
3.3.1 Preparation and holding of camelids at the registered
establishment must be in accordance with the species-specific
clauses outlined in the registered establishment operations
manual approved in writing by the department.

3.4 Cattle management requirements

3.4.1 Cattle must be fed daily a minimum of 2.5% of their
body weight of suitable feed of a quality able to meet daily
maintenance requirements.

This version of Standard 3.4.2 remains in force up to, and

including, 28 August 2024

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.4.2 The minimum length of time that cattle must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 2 clear
days for short or long–haul voyages, or 3 clear days for extended
long–haul voyages. For any clear day on which animals are subject
to a feed or water curfew, an additional clear day is required.

This version of Standard 3.4.2 comes into force on 29

August 2024

3.4.2 The minimum length of time that cattle must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 2 clear
days for short or long–haul voyages, or 3 clear days for extended
long–haul voyages. A day on which an animal is subject to a feed
or water curfew is not a clear day.

3.4.3 Cattle at the registered establishment must be penned

in accordance with these space allocations:

a) for cattle held for less than 30 days, a minimum of 4m2

each, based on an individual liveweight of 500kg (this
allowance can be decreased by 0.04m2 for each 5kg
decrease in individual liveweight and must be increased
by 0.04m2 for each 5kg increase in individual liveweight);
or

b) for cattle held for 30 days or more, a minimum of 9m2

each, based on an individual liveweight of 500kg (this
allowance can be decreased by 0.09m2 for each 5kg
decrease in individual liveweight and must be increased
by 0.09m2 for each 5kg increase in individual liveweight).

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.5 Deer management requirements

3.5.1 Preparation and holding of deer at the registered
establishment must be in accordance with the species-specific
clauses outlined in the registered establishment operations
manual approved in writing by the department.

3.6 Goat management requirements

3.6.1 The feed trough allowance for goats held in paddocks at the
registered establishment is to be calculated on a paddock-by-
paddock basis and must be:

a) for ration feeding, no less than 5cm of feed trough width per
head; or
b) for ad libitum feeding, no less than 3cm of feed trough width
per head.
3.6.2 For areas of Australia south of latitude 26°S from 1 May to
31 October (inclusive), feeding must occur from fully sheltered
feed troughs.

3.6.3 Goats must be fed daily suitable feed of:

a) at least 3% of their bodyweight for goats younger than 4

tooth; and
b) at least 2% of their bodyweight for 4 tooth or older; and
c) a quality able to meet daily maintenance requirements.
This version of Standard 3.6.4 remains in force up to, and
including, 28 August 2024

3.6.4 The minimum length of time that goats must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

days. For any clear day on which animals are subject to a feed or
water curfew, an additional clear day is required. During at least
the 3 clear days prior to export, goats are to be fed ad libitum on a
ration equivalent in both form and composition to that which is to
be used on the voyage.

This version of Standard 3.6.4 comes into force on 29

August 2024

3.6.4 The minimum length of time that goats must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear
days. A day on which an animal is subject to a feed or water or
curfew is not a clear day. During at least the 3 clear days prior to
export, goats are to be fed ad libitum on a ration equivalent in
both form and composition to that which is to be used on the
voyage.

3.6.5 Goats at the registered establishment must be penned

in accordance with these space allocations:

a) for goats held for less than 10 days, a minimum of 0.33m2

each which must be increased by 0.006m2 for each 1kg
above 54kg liveweight; or
b) for goats held for 10 days or more, a minimum of 0.5m2
each which must be increased by 0.006m2 for each 1kg
above 54kg liveweight.

3.7 Sheep management requirements

This version of Standard 3.7.1 remains in force up to, and
including, 28 August 2024

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.7.1 Sheep that are 10 clear days or more off shears may be
accommodated in paddocks at the registered establishment.

This version of Standard 3.7.1 comes into force on 29 August

2024

3.7.1 Sheep that are 10 days or more off shears may be

accommodated in paddocks at the registered establishment.

This version of Standard 3.7.2 remains in force up to, and

including, 28 August 2024

3.7.2 Sheep that are less than 10 clear days off shears must
be:

a) given at least 2 clear days between shearing and loading for

export, and
b) accommodated in sheds at the registered establishment,
unless otherwise provided in an accommodation of shorn
sheep management plan approved in writing by the
department.

This version of Standard 3.7.2 comes into force on 29 August

2024

3.7.2 Sheep that are less than 10 days off shears must be:

a) given at least 2 clear days between shearing and loading for

export, and
b) accommodated in sheds at the registered establishment,
unless otherwise provided in an accommodation of shorn
sheep management plan approved in writing by the
department.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.7.3 Sheep sourced for export must have wool or hair no longer
than 25mm in length at the time of loading for transport to the
port of embarkation, unless otherwise provided in a Northern
Hemisphere winter sheep shearing management plan approved in
writing by the department.

3.7.4 The feed trough allowance for sheep held in paddocks at the
registered establishment is to be calculated on a paddock-by-
paddock basis and must be:

a) for ration feeding, no less than 5cm of feed trough width per
head; or
b) for ad libitum feeding, no less than 3cm of feed trough width
per head.
3.7.5 For areas of Australia south of latitude 26°S from 1 May to
31 October (inclusive), feeding must occur from fully sheltered
feed troughs.

3.7.6 Sheep must be fed daily suitable feed of:

a) at least 3% of their bodyweight for sheep younger than 4

tooth; and
b) at least 2% of their bodyweight for 4 tooth or older; and
c) a quality able to meet daily maintenance requirements.
This version of Standard 3.7.7 remains in force up to, and
including, 28 August 2024

3.7.7 The minimum length of time that sheep must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear
days. For any clear day on which animals are subject to a feed or
water curfew or are shorn, an additional clear day is required.
During at least the last 3 clear days prior to export, sheep are to be

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

fed ad libitum on a ration equivalent in both form and composition

to that which is to be used on the export voyage.

This version of Standard 3.7.7 comes into force on 29 August

2024

3.7.7 The minimum length of time that sheep must remain in a

registered establishment prior to departure for the port is 5 clear
days. A day on which animals are subject to a feed or water curfew
is not a clear day. In addition to the above:

a) If a feed or water curfew is longer than 12 hours, an additional

clear day is required (that is, 6 clear days); and

b) During at least the last 3 clear days prior to export, sheep are to
be fed ad libitum on a ration equivalent in both form and
composition to that which is to be used on the export voyage.

3.7.8 For export to or through the Middle East by sea between 1

May and 31 October (inclusive), the occupier of the registered
establishment must not prepare these classes of sheep:

a) for sheep held in paddocks at the registered establishment:

i) pastoral and station sheep (see Appendix A); or

ii) lambs less than 34kg and no permanent incisors; or

iii) sheep that have been held on trucks for more than 14
hours prior to entering the registered establishment,
unless these sheep have been fed, watered and rested
for a minimum of 24 hours prior to commencing any
export preparation activities (including
commencement of clear days); and

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

b) for sheep held in paddocks or sheds at the registered

establishment:

i) full mouth sheep with a body condition score of 4 or

more (on a scale of 1 to 5); or
ii) broken mouth sheep; or
iii) pregnant sheep.

3.7.9 Sheep at the registered establishment must be

penned in accordance with these space allocations:

a) for sheep held for less than 10 days, a minimum of 0.33m2

each which must be increased by 0.006m2 for each 1kg above
54kg liveweight (this allowance can be decreased by 0.006m2
for each 1kg decrease in individual liveweight below 40kg);
or
b) for sheep held for 10 days or more, a minimum of 0.5m2 each
which must be increased by 0.006m2 for each 1kg above 54kg
liveweight (this allowance can be decreased by 0.006m2 for
each 1kg decrease in individual liveweight below 40kg).

3.8 Monitoring and reporting

requirements
This version of Standard 3.8.1 remains in force up to, and
including, 28 August 2024
3.8.1 Animal records must be kept by the registered
establishment occupier, from the time of unloading of livestock at
the registered establishment to their loading for transport to the
port of disembarkation, and retained for at least 2 years after the
date of export. These must include:

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

a) the animal’s identification in accordance with state and

territory and NLIS requirements including:

i) all management procedures relevant to export

preparation, such as disease testing, pregnancy
testing and shearing, and date(s) undertaken; and

ii) all veterinary medicines and agricultural chemicals

used to vaccinate, treat or otherwise prepare the
animal (including species, treatment date(s), trade
name or active ingredient, batch number and if
used according to manufacturer’s directions. If not
used according to manufacturer’s directions, the
dose administered is to be included); and

b) daily inspections by competent stock handlers of livestock

health, welfare and appropriateness for export; and

c) any mortality, sickness, injury or other sign consistent with

the rejection criteria found, and actions taken to identify and
remove any rejected livestock from the consignment,

d) including handling, care, treatment, euthanasia and/or

disposal; and

e) all other information required to demonstrate compliance

with relevant ASEL standards.

This version of Standard 3.8.1 comes into force on 29 August

2024
3.8.1 Animal records must be kept by the registered
establishment occupier in accordance with the registered
establishment operations manual, from the time of unloading of
livestock at the registered establishment to their loading for
Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3
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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

transport to the port of embarkation, and retained for at least 2

years after the date of export. These must include:

a) the animal’s identification in accordance with state and

territory and NLIS requirements; and

b) all management procedures that occur in the registered

establishment relevant to export preparation, and date(s)
undertaken; and

c) all veterinary medicines and treatments provided by the

registered establishment to livestock undergoing export
preparation (including species, treatment date(s), trade
name or active ingredient, batch number and if used
according to manufacturer’s directions. If not used
according to manufacturer’s directions, the dose
administered is to be included); and

d) daily inspections by competent stock handlers of livestock

health, welfare and appropriateness for export; and

e) any mortality, sickness, injury or other sign consistent

with the rejection criteria found, and actions taken to
identify and remove any rejected livestock from the
consignment, including location of livestock, handling,
care, treatment, euthanasia and/or disposal; and
f) the date of arrival at, and departure from, the registered
establishment; and
g) all other information required to demonstrate compliance
with relevant ASEL standards.

3.8.2 Veterinary medicines, chemicals and equipment must be

stored and used according to any applicable veterinary directions
and/or manufacturers' recommendations.

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Standard 3
Management of livestock in registered establishment

3.8.3 A mortality report for each consignment at the registered

establishment must be provided by the registered establishment
occupier to the department within 5 days of departure of the last
animal in the consignment from the registered establishment. The
report must be in the form provided on the department’s website
and include all information required in the form.

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

Standard 4 Vessel
preparation and general
management for export by
sea
Standard 4 covers the standards that relate to planning and vessel
preparation for export of livestock by sea. Please see Standard 6
for the standards that relate to export of livestock by air.

4.1 General and all species

requirements
4.1.1 A vessel to be used for the export of livestock must comply
with:

a) all Australian and relevant international vessel requirements

including biosecurity requirements; and
b) all requirements for the safe carriage of livestock.
4.1.2 If a vessel that is permanently equipped for the carriage of
livestock is to be used:

a) a valid Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock,

issued by AMSA, must be in force for the vessel; and
b) the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock must
specify the species of livestock to which it relates.

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

4.1.3 If a vessel that is not permanently equipped for the carriage

of livestock is to be used, the livestock must be carried in PLUs
approved under Marine Order 43 and:

a) the arrangements for the carriage of PLUs on board the vessel

must be approved by a surveyor appointed under section 190
of the Navigation Act 2012 in accordance with Marine Order
43; and
b) the PLU and the vessel must conform to the requirements set
out in Appendix C.
4.1.4 A vessel to be used for the export of livestock must have
restraint facilities and veterinary equipment, including equipment
for humane euthanasia, medicines, instruments and stores
sufficient for the species and number of livestock carried.
Restraint facilities and veterinary equipment must be inspected
by the exporter prior to loading of livestock and any equipment
not in good working condition must be repaired or replaced as
soon as possible and before departure. A record of inspection
confirming the above must be kept and retained by the exporter
for at least 2 years after the date of export.

4.1.5 Veterinary medicines, chemicals and equipment must be

stored and used according to any applicable veterinary directions
and/or manufacturers' recommendations.

Personnel
4.1.6 All personnel handling and caring for livestock or who are
otherwise responsible for animals during the voyage must be able
to demonstrate an adequate level of experience and skill to allow
them to undertake their duties.

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

4.1.7 A competent stock handler must be appointed by the

exporter to be responsible for the handling, management and
welfare of the livestock. The exporter must ensure that loading
facilities and livestock handling standards at the port of
embarkation are satisfactory during unloading from the land
transport, inspection and loading onto the vessel.

4.1.8 An accredited stockperson who is employed or contracted

by the exporter must be appointed to accompany each
consignment of livestock for the duration of the voyage. The
accredited stockperson must not be a member of the vessel’s
crew.

4.1.9 Unless the exporter has approval under Standard 4.1.10, an

AAV must accompany each consignment of livestock for the
duration of the voyage in these circumstances:

a) if the voyage is expected to be an extended long-haul voyage;

or
b) on voyages with pregnant livestock; or
c) if the vessel is travelling to or through the Middle East; or
d) if the vessel is new or has had a significant change or re-fit; or
e) if the consignment is the first consignment for the exporter;
or
f) any other voyage when required by the department.
4.1.10 An exporter may apply for an alternative arrangement to
Standard 4.1.9 when providing a NOI under the Export Control Act
2020 and Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The alternative
arrangement may be approved where the Secretary, or delegate, is
satisfied that the international transport arrangements for the
livestock are adequate for their health and welfare.

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

4.1.11 Unless the exporter has approval under Standard 4.1.12,

the accredited stockperson and the AAV cannot be the same
person for any given voyage.

4.1.12 An exporter may apply for an alternative arrangement to

Standard 4.1.11 when providing a NOI under the Export Control
Act 2020 and Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The
alternative arrangement may be approved where the Secretary,
or delegate is satisfied that the international transport
arrangements for the livestock are adequate for their health and
welfare.

4.1.13 Accredited stockperson(s) and the AAV must work with

the vessel’s master and crew to maintain the health and welfare of
the livestock on board.

4.1.14 There must be 1 competent stock handler per 3,000 (or

part thereof) head of cattle and/or buffalo and 1 per 30,000 (or
part thereof) head of sheep and/or goats on every voyage. The
competent stock handler can be:

a) a crew member, provided they have the required skills and

competencies and the exporter retains evidence of the
information they attained to establish their skill and
competency; or
b) an accredited stockperson.
4.1.15 Sufficient personnel must be available both at loading and
during the voyage to ensure that livestock management and
welfare needs are addressed.

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

Planning
4.1.16 A communication plan must be prepared in writing by the
exporter, in consultation with all responsible parties before the
loading of livestock for export begins. This plan must address:

a) roles and responsibilities of the exporter or nominated

representative(s), the accredited stockperson(s), the AAV (if
required), the master of the vessel, nominated officers and
crew members, and government and port authorities; and

b) arrangements for regular meetings (including time, attendees

and agenda) of key personnel before, during and after the
voyage; and

c) details of reporting procedures during and on completion of

the voyage.

4.1.17 Loading arrangements must be prepared in writing by the

exporter and must consider:

a) port facilities, including the available water supply rate; and

b) port and vessel security; and
c) environmental management, including weather; and
d) labour availability and competency.
e) [deleted]
4.1.18 Contingency plans, including procedures for contacting the
exporter, must be prepared in writing for each consignment that
address:

a) mechanical breakdown of the vessel or functionality relevant

to maintaining the livestock’s health and welfare; and
b) a feed and/or water shortage during the voyage; and

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Standard 4
Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

c) the satisfactory tending, feeding and watering of the livestock

in the event of a malfunction of the automatic feeding or
watering systems, without compromising the safe navigation
of the vessel; and
d) an outbreak of a disease during the voyage; and
e) adverse weather conditions during the voyage; and
f) rejection of the consignment by the overseas country, and
g) procedures for the humane recapture of livestock that escape
during the loading process.

4.1.19 Written instructions (these may take the form of standard

operating procedures and/or the loading plan) for the handling
and care of the livestock being exported, to maintain their health
and welfare during the voyage, must be prepared by the exporter
before loading of the vessel. These must address:

a) differences in handling, holding and management needs of

each livestock species, number of animals, sex, class,
reproductive status, weight, breed, origin, export
preparations, transport history and importing country
requirements; and
b) the quantity and type of feed to be provided, and frequency of
feeding required, for the livestock during the voyage; and
c) if water cannot be supplied ad libitum due to circumstances
outside of the exporter's control, the quantity of water to be
provided and frequency of watering required during the
voyage; and
d) pen and deck cleaning and maintenance (including bedding)
requirements; and

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Vessel preparation and general management for export by sea

e) management of livestock (including inspections, disease

investigations and treatment) during the voyage; and
f) authority to destroy humanely any animal that is seriously ill
or injured; and
g) relevant points in Standards 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.

Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock 3.3

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

Standard 5 Loading and

onboard management
requirements
Standard 5 covers the standards that relate to loading onto
vessels and onboard management of livestock for export by sea.
Please see Standard 6 for the standards that relate to export of
livestock by air.

5.1 General and all species

requirements
5.1.1 The exporter must ensure that before and after loading of
livestock:

a) pen space allocation and pen group weight range tolerances

for livestock are in accordance with the relevant species
specifications in Standards 5.2 to 5.5 and where applicable,
a HSRA; and
b) segregation of livestock is in accordance with the penning
arrangements equal to Standard 3.1.16 and any other
relevant characteristic and market and port of
disembarkation; and
c) different species are separated by a passageway, an empty
pen or an effective impermeable barrier, to the satisfaction
of an accredited stockperson or AAV; and

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

d) livestock are not located or moved over any hatchway, unless

the hatchway is protected against consequential damage and
the hatchway covers are secured against movement; and
e) livestock are not located on the vessel where their health or
welfare may be adversely affected (there must be no
penning or locating of livestock on or in any part of a vessel
where the livestock, livestock fittings, livestock equipment
or carrying arrangements could compromise livestock
health or welfare).
5.1.2 Before loading of livestock for transport to the port of
embarkation, a loading plan for the vessel on which the livestock
are to be transported must be prepared in writing by the exporter.
The loading plan must be compliant with relevant vessel safety
standards and include details of:

a) the net available pen area on the vessel (excluding the area
of the hospital pens) according to the vessel's record of
equipment for the carriage of livestock; and
b) pen layout, available pen area for the particular consignment,
hospital pens, ventilation, vessel characteristics and stability
requirements, port rotation and discharge sequence; and
c) the total number of livestock that are to be loaded on the
vessel and number of livestock to be placed in each pen,
based on the minimum pen area per head required for the
relevant livestock species, weight, class, sex, reproductive
status and physical characteristics as specified in Standard
5. Basis for calculations must be included.

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

Loading
5.1.3 Upon arrival of the livestock at the port of embarkation:
a) responsibility for the livestock must be transferred to a
competent person nominated by the exporter; and
b) that person must be notified of any aspect of transport to the
port of embarkation that might affect the ongoing health or
welfare of the livestock.

5.1.4 Livestock for export must be loaded onto the vessel by

competent stock handlers in a manner that prevents injury
and minimises stress on the livestock.

5.1.5 As the livestock for export are loaded on board the vessel,
the exporter must notify the master of the vessel of any aspect of
the preparation or transport of the livestock for export that
might affect their ongoing health or welfare.

5.1.6 To ensure that only fit and healthy livestock are loaded
onto the vessel:

a) the exporter must arrange for an accredited stockperson, an

AAV and/or a competent stock handler to inspect the
livestock for health and welfare and fitness to travel,
immediately before they are loaded onto the vessel; and
b) only livestock that are healthy and fit to travel including
not showing signs consistent with the rejection criteria
specified in Standard 1 Table 1, can be loaded; and
c) any livestock rejected for export must be distinctively
identified, segregated from the consignment and treated if
necessary. Humane and effective arrangements must be
made for their removal from the port; and

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

d) if euthanasia is necessary, it must be carried out promptly

and in a humane manner that causes prompt loss of
consciousness and then rapid death by a method approved
under the national animal welfare standards and guidelines
or model codes of practice; and
e) dead livestock must be removed from the port, and carcasses
must be disposed of in compliance with all relevant and
applicable legislation.
5.1.7 Livestock for export must be presented for loading, and
penned on the vessel, in lines segregated according to the loading
plan.

5.1.8 Humane and effective arrangements must be made for the

handling and care of any livestock surplus to requirements that
are not loaded onto the vessel. In the case of surplus livestock, a
record that includes the identification of the animal(s), reason for
surplus and relevant handling and care must be kept and retained
by the exporter for at least 2 years after the date of export.

5.1.9 Once loading has been completed and before departure, the
exporter must ensure:

a) the consignment has been checked and confirm that

the livestock have been loaded according to the
loading plan and any applicable written instructions
and standard operating procedures; and
b) the loaded feed has been checked and confirm that feed
requirements in this standard have been met, using
accurate liveweights.

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

Food and water, bedding and ventilation

requirements
5.1.10 Feed and water provisions must be appropriate for the
species, class, weight and age of livestock, voyage length and
expected weather conditions.

5.1.11 All livestock must be provided with adequate trough

space during the voyage to ensure each animal can meet its daily
requirements for feed and water without risk to their health or
welfare.

5.1.12 Livestock must have access to suitable feed and ad libitum

water:

a) as soon as possible and no more than 12 hours after being

loaded on the vessel; and
b) for water, within maximum water deprivation times
equal to those set out in the Land Transport
Standards; and
c) of a quality to maintain good health, hydration and welfare
and satisfy energy requirements for the duration of the
voyage, including loading and unloading, and in the event of
delay.
5.1.13 There must be no water curfew applied prior to
unloading of livestock at ports in the Middle East between 1
May and 31 October (inclusive).

5.1.14 The ration fed on the vessel must comply with these
conditions:

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

a) the ration must not contain more than 30% by weight of

wheat, barley or corn, unless the livestock have been
adapted to the ration over a period of at least 2 weeks prior
to export; and

b) all pelleted feed must be accompanied by a manufacturer's

declaration that states it is manufactured in accordance
with the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice
for the Feed Milling Industry (2009); and

c) all Australian-origin feed from a previous voyage that is

suitable for livestock consumption may remain in a feed
storage tank provided that:

i) each tank is completely emptied, and feed

discarded at least once in every 90 days; and
ii) all feed that is no longer suitable for livestock
consumption is emptied in its entirety before further
feed is loaded; and
iii) records are maintained of the emptying of feed
storage tanks and are available for inspection.
d) fodder must not be loaded post-departure from Australia
except in exceptional circumstances and written approval
must be given by the department before this is to occur.
Importing country requirements must be met.

This version of Standard 5.1.15 remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024
5.1.15 To manage daily feed requirements when a voyage
experiences a delay, a minimum of 3 days of reserve feed must be
carried on the vessel. The 3-day feed reserve requirement is in

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

addition to the calculated daily feed provisions for the

loading/unloading time and the estimated voyage length. Reserve
feed must only be used if a delay is experienced during the voyage.

This version of Standard 5.1.15 comes into force on 3 April

2024
5.1.15 To manage daily feed requirements when a voyage
experiences a delay, a minimum of:

a) 20% or 2 days of reserve feed, whichever is greater, must be

loaded on the vessel for consignments of less than 15 days; or
b) 3 days of reserve feed must be loaded on the vessel for
consignments of 15 days or greater.

The reserve feed requirement is in addition to the calculated daily

feed provisions for the recommended voyage length. Reserve feed
must only be used if a delay is experienced during the voyage.

5.1.16 The minimum additional reserve of water that must be

carried on the vessel to be used in the event of delay is 3 voyage
days of daily water maintenance requirements for all livestock on
board. Allowance may be made for fresh water produced on the
vessel while at sea.

5.1.17 For extended long-haul voyages and/or any voyages

that will travel via the Suez Canal, the Cape of Good Hope, the
Panama Canal or Cape Horn:

a) any consignments that are expected to be on the voyage

for 31 voyage days or more must not be exported unless
otherwise provided in an extended long-haul management
plan approved in writing by the department; and

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

b) a minimum of 7 voyage days of reserve feed and water

(not cumulative with the reserve requirements in
Standards 5.1.15 and 5.1.16) must be carried, to be used in
the event of delay. Allowance may be made for fresh water
produced on the vessel while at sea.

5.1.18 Bedding provisions must be loaded for all voyages and:

a) applied in a sufficient quantity that allows pens to be

maintained in a manner that ensures the health and welfare
of the livestock and minimises slipping, injuries, abrasions,
lameness, pugging and faecal coating; and
b) applied to slippage risk areas of laneways and ramps
prior to and during loading and unloading using a
material that minimises slipping during loading and
unloading; and
c) be monitored routinely (at least daily) to ensure
consistency and depth is appropriate to mitigate risks to
the health or welfare of the livestock.
5.1.19 When livestock for export are loaded on vessels with
enclosed decks, the ventilation system must be run
continuously from the commencement of loading until the last
animal has been unloaded.

5.1.20 Ammonia levels in a representative number of pens must

be measured daily. If ammonia levels exceed or are likely to
exceed 25ppm in any livestock spaces, appropriate reduction
measures must be implemented. Compliance with this standard
will be delayed until further notice by the department.

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

5.2 Buffalo loading and management

requirements
5.2.1 The minimum pen space allocation for buffalo
exported by sea is contained in Table 5. These criteria apply
to this allocation:

a) where a curfew of more than 12 hours will be undertaken at

the registered establishment prior to transport to the port
of embarkation, a curfew factor of an additional 5% must be
applied when calculating liveweight (cumulative with other
additional space requirements and must be calculated first);
and
b) for weights between those shown in Table 5 the
minimum pen area per head must be calculated by
linear interpolation; and
c) the weight of each animal in a pen must not vary from pen
average weight by 50kg. The pen average weight is
calculated by dividing the total weight of the buffalo in the
pen by the number of buffalo in the pen; and
d) for pregnant buffalo, a minimum additional 15% space must
be provided; and
e) buffalo outside of the weights shown in Table 5 must only be
sourced for export or exported in accordance with a light or
heavy buffalo management plan where an exporter has
approval under Standard 1.2.3.

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

Table 5 Minimum pen space allocation for buffalo exported

by sea

Minimum Minimum Minimum

Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 1.089 305 1.439 410 1.750

205 1.107 310 1.455 415 1.764
210 1.125 315 1.470 420 1.778
215 1.143 320 1.486 425 1.792
220 1.160 325 1.501 430 1.806
225 1.177 330 1.516 435 1.819
230 1.195 335 1.531 440 1.833
235 1.212 340 1.546 445 1.847
240 1.229 345 1.561 450 1.861
245 1.246 350 1.576 455 1.874
250 1.262 355 1.591 460 1.888
255 1.279 360 1.606 465 1.901
260 1.295 365 1.620 470 1.915
265 1.312 370 1.635 475 1.928
270 1.328 375 1.650 480 1.941
275 1.344 380 1.664 485 1.955
280 1.360 385 1.678 490 1.968
285 1.376 390 1.693 495 1.981
290 1.392 395 1.707 500 1.995
295 1.408 400 1.721
300 1.424 405 1.736

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

5.2.2 When calculating feed and water requirements,

allowance must be made for, and buffalo must be provided
with:

a) at least the quantity of feed shown in Table 6; and

b) at least 12% of liveweight of water per head per day.

Table 6 Feed requirements for buffalo

Class of buffalo Minimum feed
allowance/head/day
(% liveweight)
Buffalo weighing less than 250 kg 2.5
Breeding buffalo heifers with 6 or fewer permanent
2.5
incisor teeth (regardless of pregnancy status)
Pregnant buffalo cows 2.5
Other classes of buffalo 2.0

5.2.3 Feed loaded and provided to buffalo exported on:

a) short and long-haul voyages, must include at least 1% of the
required feed as chaff and/or hay; or
b) extended long-haul voyages where an exporter has approval
under Standard 5.1.17 to export buffalo on extended long-
haul voyages, must include at least 2% of the required feed as
chaff and/or hay.

5.2.4 In addition to standard 5.1.18, buffalo exported on

voyages of 10 voyage days or more must be provided with
additional sawdust, rice hulls or similar bedding material to be
used exclusively for bedding at a rate of at least 7 tonnes or
25m3 for every 1000m2 of buffalo pen space. This additional

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Loading and onboard management requirements

bedding requirement does not apply to buffalo loaded from a

port north of latitude 26°S and exported to South-East Asia.

5.2.5 The minimum veterinary medicines and equipment to be

carried on the vessel are in Table 7. Additional veterinary
medicines and equipment to be carried on voyages with
pregnant buffalo are in Table 8. Additional veterinary medicines
and equipment may be necessary if there are other classes of
buffalo on the vessel.

Table 7 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for

buffalo
Category Medicines and Voyages of less Voyages of
equipment (per than 10 days 10 days or
1,000 buffalo) more
Injectable 1Penicillin (short 15 buffalo doses 30 buffalo doses
antibiotics acting)
1Oxytetracycline 15 buffalo doses 30 buffalo doses
(long acting) or
equivalent
1Antibiotic(s) 15 buffalo doses 30 buffalo doses
appropriate for the
treatment of bovine
respiratory disease
(may include
Florfenicol,
Tilmicosin,
Tulathromycin,
Tylosin)
Anti- Dexamethasone 15 buffalo doses 30 buffalo doses
inflammatory
medicines Flunixin or 15 buffalo doses 30 buffalo doses
equivalent

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Standard 5
Loading and onboard management requirements

Category Medicines and Voyages of less Voyages of

equipment (per than 10 days 10 days or
1,000 buffalo) more
Topical wound Sufficient to treat Sufficient to treat
treatment 10 minor 20 minor
wounds wounds
Pink eye treatment 10 tubes 1 box of 20 tubes
Sedative Xylazine 5 buffalo doses 10 buffalo doses
Other Thermometers 3 per vessel 3 per vessel
equipment
Needles (18 gauge, 1 box of 100 1 box of 100
1 ½ inch) or
equivalent
Hypodermic 40 x 20mL, 40 x 20mL,
syringes 10 x 5mL 10 x 5mL
Restraint equipment Adjustable head Adjustable head
bale (1 per bale (1 per
vessel) should be vessel) should be
included included
Rope halter Rope halter
(1 per vessel) (1 per vessel)
Nose grip pliers Nose grip pliers
(1 pair per (1 pair per
vessel) vessel)
Post-mortem kit 2 post-mortem 2 post-mortem
knives plus steel knives plus steel
and sharpening and sharpening
stone per vessel stone per vessel
Remotely triggered 1 syringe plus 1 syringe plus
syringe device spare parts per spare parts per
vessel, plus vessel, plus
10 spare needles 10 spare needles
per per
1,000 animals 1,000 animals

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Category Medicines and Voyages of less Voyages of

equipment (per than 10 days 10 days or
1,000 buffalo) more
Captive-bolt gun 1 per vessel, plus 1 per vessel, plus
40 cartridges per 40 cartridges per
1,000 animals 1,000 animals

1Refer to veterinary advice and the Australian veterinary antimicrobial prescribing

guidelines

Table 8 Additional minimum veterinary medicines and

equipment for pregnant buffalo

Medicines and equipment Minimum requirement

Obstetrical lubricant 5 litres per 2,000 buffalo

Calving ropes 1 set per vessel
Obstetrical gloves 1 box per vessel
Oxytocin 50 ml per 1,000 buffalo
Additional chlorohexidine (or 5 litres per vessel
equivalent)
Iodine (umbilical treatment) 1 litre per vessel
Uterine pessaries 10 per 2,000 buffalo
Surgical equipment Adequate to conduct a caesarean section

5.3 Cattle loading and management

requirements
General penning arrangements
5.3.1 The minimum pen space allocations for cattle exported
by sea are contained in Table 9, Table 10a, Table 10b, Table

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11a, Table 11b, Table 12a and Table 12b. These penning
criteria apply:

a) where a curfew of more than 12 hours will be undertaken

at the registered establishment prior to transport to the
port of embarkation, a curfew factor of an additional 5%
must be applied when calculating liveweight (cumulative
with other additional space requirements and must be
calculated first); and

b) the weight of each animal in a pen must not vary from pen
average weight by more than 50kg. The pen average weight
is calculated by dividing the total weight of the cattle in the
pen by the number of cattle in the pen; and
c) for pregnant cattle, a minimum additional 15% space must be
provided; and
d) cattle without horns may be penned with cattle with:
i) horns up to 12cm in length and where the horns are tipped
(blunt); and / or
ii) horns longer than 12cm in length and are pointing
downwards parallel to the face and where the horns are
tipped (blunt); and
e) cattle outside of the weights shown in Table 9, Table 10a,
Table 10b, Table 11a, Table 11b, Table 12a and Table 12b
must only be sourced for export or exported in accordance
with a light or heavy cattle management plan where an
exporter has approval under Standard 1.4.2

Cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S

(default pen space)

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5.3.2 The minimum default pen space allocation for cattle

exported by sea loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S is
contained in Table 9. For weights between those shown in
Table 9, the minimum pen area per head must be calculated by
linear interpolation.

Table 9 Minimum default pen space allocation for cattle

loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 0.990 305 1.308 410 1.591

205 1.007 310 1.323 415 1.603
210 1.023 315 1.337 420 1.616
215 1.039 320 1.351 425 1.629
220 1.055 325 1.364 430 1.641
225 1.070 330 1.378 435 1.654
230 1.086 335 1.392 440 1.666
235 1.102 340 1.406 445 1.679
240 1.117 345 1.419 450 1.691
245 1.132 350 1.433 455 1.704
250 1.148 355 1.446 460 1.716
255 1.163 360 1.460 465 1.728
260 1.178 365 1.473 470 1.741
265 1.193 370 1.486 475 1.753
270 1.207 375 1.500 480 1.765
275 1.222 380 1.513 485 1.777
280 1.237 385 1.526 490 1.789
285 1.251 390 1.539 495 1.801
290 1.266 395 1.552 500 1.813

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295 1.280 400 1.565

300 1.294 405 1.578

This version of Standard 5.3.3 remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024

Cattle that are loaded at a port north of latitude

26°S (alternative pen space)
5.3.3 Standard 5.3.2 applies unless an exporter is approved in
writing under their approved arrangement to use alternative
pen space for cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S to a
particular destination. The alternative pen space allocation is
contained in Table 10a for near markets. Table 10b contains
the alternative pen space allocation for far markets. For
weights between those shown in Table 10a or those shown in
Table 10b, the minimum pen area per head must be calculated
by linear interpolation. Daily reports must be provided as set
out in Standard 5.6.6.

This version of Standard 5.3.3 comes into force on 3 April

2024

Cattle that are loaded at a port north of latitude

26°S (alternative pen space)
5.3.3 Standard 5.3.2 applies unless an exporter is approved in
writing under their approved arrangement to use alternative
pen space for cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S to a
particular destination. The alternative pen space allocation is
contained in Table 10a for short-haul. Table 10b contains the
alternative pen space allocation for long-haul. For weights
between those shown in Table 10a or those shown in Table

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10b, the minimum pen area per head must be calculated by

linear interpolation. Daily reports must be provided as set out
in Standard 5.6.6.

This version of the title of Table 10a remains in force up to,

and including, 2 April 2024

Table 10a Alternative minimum pen space allocation for

cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an
exporter is approved to use the alternative pen space –
near markets
This version of the title of Table 10a comes into force on 3
April 2024

Table 10a Alternative minimum pen space allocation for

cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an
exporter is approved to use the alternative pen space –
short-haul
NB: Alternative minimum pen space allocation must be applied according to the
length of voyage for individual cattle.

Alternative Alternative Alternative

Liveweight minimum Liveweight minimum Liveweight minimum
(kg) pen area (kg) pen area (kg) pen area
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
200 0.770 305 1.127 410 1.468
205 0.787 310 1.144 415 1.487
210 0.804 315 1.161 420 1.505
215 0.821 320 1.178 425 1.519
220 0.838 325 1.195 430 1.533
225 0.855 330 1.212 435 1.547
230 0.872 335 1.229 440 1.560

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235 0.889 340 1.246 445 1.574

240 0.906 345 1.263 450 1.588
245 0.923 350 1.280 455 1.602
250 0.940 355 1.297 460 1.615
255 0.957 360 1.314 465 1.629
260 0.974 365 1.331 470 1.643
265 0.991 370 1.348 475 1.657
270 1.008 375 1.365 480 1.670
275 1.025 380 1.382 485 1.684
280 1.042 385 1.399 490 1.698
285 1.059 390 1.416 495 1.712
290 1.076 395 1.433 500 1.725
295 1.093 400 1.450
300 1.110 405 1.459

This version of the title of Table 10b remains in force up to,

and including, 2 April 2024

Table 10b Alternative minimum pen space allocation for

cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an
exporter is approved to use the alternative pen space – far
markets
This version of the title of Table 10b comes into force on 3
April 2024

Table 10b Alternative minimum pen space allocation for

cattle loaded at a port north of latitude 26°S where an
exporter is approved to use the alternative pen space –
long-haul

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NB: Alternative minimum pen space allocation must be applied according to the
length of voyage for individual cattle.

Alternative Alternative Alternative

Liveweight minimum Liveweight minimum Liveweight minimum
(kg) pen area (kg) pen area (kg) pen area
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
200 0.770 305 1.127 410 1.484
205 0.787 310 1.144 415 1.501
210 0.804 315 1.161 420 1.518
215 0.821 320 1.178 425 1.535
220 0.838 325 1.195 430 1.552
225 0.855 330 1.212 435 1.567
230 0.872 335 1.229 440 1.586
235 0.889 340 1.246 445 1.603
240 0.906 345 1.263 450 1.620
245 0.923 350 1.280 455 1.637
250 0.940 355 1.297 460 1.654
255 0.957 360 1.314 465 1.671
260 0.974 365 1.331 470 1.688
265 0.991 370 1.348 475 1.705
270 1.008 375 1.365 480 1.722
275 1.025 380 1.382 485 1.739
280 1.042 385 1.399 490 1.756
285 1.059 390 1.416 495 1.773
290 1.076 395 1.433 500 1.790
295 1.093 400 1.450
300 1.110 405 1.467

Cattle loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S

between 1 May to 31 October (inclusive) and the
voyage crosses latitude 15°S

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5.3.4 The minimum pen space allocation for cattle exported

by sea that are loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S, between
1 May and 31 October (inclusive) and the voyage crosses
latitude 15°S is contained in Table 11a. These pen space
allocations apply unless an exporter is approved in writing
under their approved arrangement to use the alternative pen
space for cattle loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S,
between 1 May and 31 October (inclusive) and the voyage
crosses latitude 15°S. The alternative pen space allocation is
contained in Table 11b. For weights between those shown in
Table 11a or those shown in Table 11b, the minimum pen area
per head must be calculated by linear interpolation.

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Table 11a Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded

at a port south of latitude 26°S between 1 May and 31
October (inclusive) and the voyage crosses latitude 15°S –
default
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 0.990 305 1.308 410 1.707

205 1.007 310 1.323 415 1.727
210 1.023 315 1.337 420 1.746
215 1.039 320 1.351 425 1.766
220 1.055 325 1.364 430 1.785
225 1.070 330 1.378 435 1.805
230 1.086 335 1.392 440 1.824
235 1.102 340 1.406 445 1.844
240 1.117 345 1.419 450 1.863
245 1.132 350 1.433 455 1.883
250 1.148 355 1.446 460 1.902
255 1.163 360 1.460 465 1.922
260 1.178 365 1.473 470 1.940
265 1.193 370 1.486 475 1.961
270 1.207 375 1.502 480 1.980
275 1.222 380 1.520 485 2.000
280 1.237 385 1.539 490 2.019
285 1.251 390 1.558 495 2.039
290 1.266 395 1.613 500 2.060
295 1.280 400 1.668
300 1.294 405 1.688

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Table 11b Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded

at a port south of latitude 26°S between 1 May and 31
October (inclusive) and the voyage crosses latitude 15°S –
alternative
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 0.847 305 1.240 410 1.707

205 0.866 310 1.258 415 1.727
210 0.884 315 1.277 420 1.746
215 0.903 320 1.296 425 1.766
220 0.922 325 1.315 430 1.785
225 0.941 330 1.333 435 1.805
230 0.959 335 1.352 440 1.824
235 0.978 340 1.371 445 1.844
240 0.997 345 1.390 450 1.863
245 1.016 350 1.408 455 1.883
250 1.034 355 1.427 460 1.902
255 1.053 360 1.445 465 1.922
260 1.071 365 1.464 470 1.940
265 1.090 370 1.483 475 1.961
270 1.109 375 1.502 480 1.980
275 1.128 380 1.520 485 2.000
280 1.146 385 1.539 490 2.019
285 1.165 390 1.558 495 2.039
290 1.184 395 1.613 500 2.060
295 1.203 400 1.668
300 1.221 405 1.688

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Cattle loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S, between

1 November to 30 April (inclusive) if the voyage
crosses latitude 15°S, or all year if the voyage does not
cross latitude 15°S

5.3.5 The minimum pen space allocation for cattle exported

by sea that are loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S either
between 1 November to 30 April (inclusive) if the voyage
crosses latitude 15°S, or all year if the voyage does not cross
latitude 15°S is contained in Table 12a. These pen space
allocations apply unless an exporter is approved in writing
under their approved arrangement to use the alternative pen
space for cattle loaded at a port south of latitude 26°S,
between 1 November and 30 April (inclusive) and the voyage
crosses latitude 15°S, or all year if the voyage does not cross
latitude 15°S. The alternative pen space allocation is contained
in Table 12b. For weights between those shown in Table 12a
or those shown in Table 12b, the minimum pen area per head
must be calculated by linear interpolation.

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Table 12a Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded

at a port south of latitude 26°S, between 1 November to 30
April (inclusive) if the voyage crosses latitude 15°S, or all
year for voyages that do not cross latitude 15°S – default
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 0.990 305 1.308 410 1.591

205 1.007 310 1.323 415 1.603
210 1.023 315 1.337 420 1.616
215 1.039 320 1.351 425 1.629
220 1.055 325 1.364 430 1.641
225 1.070 330 1.378 435 1.654
230 1.086 335 1.392 440 1.666
235 1.102 340 1.406 445 1.679
240 1.117 345 1.419 450 1.691
245 1.132 350 1.433 455 1.704
250 1.148 355 1.446 460 1.716
255 1.163 360 1.460 465 1.728
260 1.178 365 1.473 470 1.741
265 1.193 370 1.486 475 1.753
270 1.207 375 1.500 480 1.765
275 1.222 380 1.513 485 1.777
280 1.237 385 1.526 490 1.827
285 1.251 390 1.539 495 1.880
290 1.266 395 1.552 500 1.932
295 1.280 400 1.565
300 1.294 405 1.578

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Table 12b Minimum pen space allocation for cattle loaded

at a port south of latitude 26°S, between 1 November to 30
April (inclusive) if the voyage crosses latitude 15°S, or all
year for voyages that do not cross latitude 15°S –
alternative
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)

200 0.770 305 1.127 410 1.484

205 0.787 310 1.144 415 1.501
210 0.804 315 1.161 420 1.518
215 0.821 320 1.178 425 1.535
220 0.838 325 1.195 430 1.552
225 0.855 330 1.212 435 1.569
230 0.872 335 1.229 440 1.586
235 0.889 340 1.246 445 1.603
240 0.906 345 1.263 450 1.620
245 0.923 350 1.280 455 1.637
250 0.940 355 1.297 460 1.654
255 0.957 360 1.314 465 1.671
260 0.974 365 1.331 470 1.688
265 0.991 370 1.348 475 1.705
270 1.008 375 1.365 480 1.722
275 1.025 380 1.382 485 1.775
280 1.042 385 1.399 490 1.827
285 1.059 390 1.416 495 1.880
290 1.076 395 1.433 500 1.932
295 1.093 400 1.450
300 1.110 405 1.467

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5.3.6 When calculating feed and water requirements,

allowance must be made for, and cattle must be provided
with:

a) at least the quantity of feed shown in Table 13; and

b) at least 12% of liveweight of water per head per voyage

day.

Table 13 Feed requirements for cattle

Class of cattle Minimum feed

allowance/head/day
(% liveweight)
Cattle weighing less than 250kg 2.5
Breeding heifers with six or fewer permanent
2.5
incisor teeth (regardless of pregnancy status)
Pregnant cows 2.5
Other classes of cattle 2.0

5.3.7 Feed loaded and provided to cattle exported on:

a) short and long-haul voyages, must include at least 1% of the
required feed as chaff and/or hay; and
b) extended long-haul voyages where an exporter has approval
under Standard 5.1.17 to export cattle on extended long-haul
voyages, must include at least 2% of the required feed as chaff
and/or hay.

5.3.8 In addition to standard 5.1.18, cattle exported on long

and extended long haul voyages must be provided with
additional sawdust, rice hulls or similar bedding material to be
used exclusively for bedding at a rate of at least 7 tonnes or
25m3 for every 1,000m2 of cattle pen space. This additional
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bedding requirement does not apply to cattle loaded from a

port north of latitude 26°S and exported to South-East Asia.

5.3.9 The minimum veterinary medicines and equipment to be

carried on the vessel are in Table 14. Additional veterinary
medicines and equipment to be carried on voyages with
pregnant cattle are in Table 15. Additional veterinary medicines
and equipment may be necessary if there are other classes of
cattle in the consignment.

Table 14 Minimum veterinary medicines and veterinary

equipment for cattle
Category Medicines and Voyages of less Voyages of
equipment (per than 10 days 10 days or
1,000 cattle) more
Injectable 1Penicillin (short 15 cattle doses 30 cattle doses
antibiotics acting)
1Oxytetracycline 15 cattle doses 30 cattle doses
(long acting) or
equivalent
1Antibiotic(s) 15 cattle doses 30 cattle doses
appropriate for the
treatment of bovine
respiratory disease
(may include
Florfenicol,
Tilmicosin,
Tulathromycin,
Tylosin)
Anti- Dexamethasone 15 cattle doses 30 cattle doses
inflammatory
medicines Flunixin or 15 cattle doses 30 cattle doses
equivalent
Topical wound Sufficient to treat Sufficient to treat
treatment 10 minor 20 minor
wounds wounds

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Category Medicines and Voyages of less Voyages of

equipment (per than 10 days 10 days or
1,000 cattle) more
Pink eye treatment 10 tubes 1 box of 20 tubes
Sedative Xylazine 5 cattle doses 10 cattle doses
Other Thermometers 3 per vessel 3 per vessel
equipment
Needles (18 gauge, 1 box of 100 1 box of 100
1 ½ inch) or
equivalent
Hypodermic 40 x 20mL, 40 x 20mL,
syringes 10 x 5mL 10 x 5mL
Restraint equipment Adjustable head Adjustable head
bale (1 per bale (1 per
vessel) should be vessel) should be
included included
Rope halter Rope halter
(1 per vessel) (1 per vessel)
Nose grip pliers Nose grip pliers
(1 pair per (1 pair per
vessel) vessel)
Post-mortem kit 2 post-mortem 2 post-mortem
knives plus steel knives plus steel
and sharpening and sharpening
stone per vessel stone per vessel
Remotely triggered 1 syringe plus 1 syringe plus
syringe device spare parts per spare parts per
vessel, plus vessel, plus
10 spare needles 10 spare needles
per per
1,000 animals 1,000 animals
Captive-bolt gun 1 per vessel, plus 1 per vessel, plus
40 cartridges per 40 cartridges per
1,000 animals 1,000 animals

1Refer to veterinary advice and the Australian veterinary antimicrobial

prescribing guidelines

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Table 15 Additional minimum veterinary medicines and

equipment for pregnant cattle
Medicines and equipment Minimum requirement

Obstetrical lubricant 5 litres per 2,000 cattle

Calving ropes 1 set per vessel
Obstetrical gloves 1 box per vessel
Oxytocin 50 ml per 1,000 cattle
Additional chlorohexidine (or 5 litres per vessel
equivalent)
Iodine (umbilical treatment) 1 litre per vessel
Uterine pessaries 10 per 2,000 cattle
Surgical equipment Adequate to conduct a caesarean section

5.4 Goat loading and management

requirements
5.4.1 The minimum pen space allocation for goats is contained
in Table 16. These criteria apply to this allocation:

a) where a curfew of more than 12 hours will be undertaken at

the registered establishment prior to transport to the port of
embarkation, a curfew factor of an additional 5% must be
applied when calculating liveweight (cumulative with other
additional space requirements and must be calculated first);
and
b) for weights between those shown in Table 16 the minimum
pen area per head must be calculated by linear interpolation;
and

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c) goats without horns may be mixed with goats with horns that
do not exceed the conditions set out in Standard 1.6.8 d) i)
and ii); and
d) goats exported in accordance with a long-horned livestock
management plan where the exporter has approval in writing
by the department under Standard 1.6.8 d) must be allocated
an additional 10% space.

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Table 16 Minimum pen space allocation for goats exported

by sea
Liveweight Minimum pen area Liveweight Minimum pen area
(kg) (m2/head) (kg) (m2/head)
Nov to May to Nov to May to
Apr Oct Apr Oct
24 0.244 0.269 49 0.391 0.431
25 0.251 0.276 50 0.397 0.436
26 0.258 0.283 51 0.402 0.442
27 0.264 0.291 52 0.407 0.448
28 0.271 0.298 53 0.412 0.453
29 0.277 0.305 54 0.417 0.459
30 0.283 0.311 55 0.422 0.465
31 0.289 0.318 56 0.427 0.470
32 0.295 0.325 57 0.433 0.476
33 0.302 0.332 58 0.438 0.481
34 0.308 0.338 59 0.442 0.487
35 0.313 0.345 60 0.447 0.492
36 0.319 0.351 61 0.452 0.498
37 0.325 0.358 62 0.457 0.503
38 0.331 0.364 63 0.462 0.508
39 0.337 0.370 64 0.467 0.514
40 0.342 0.377 65 0.472 0.519
41 0.348 0.383 66 0.476 0.524
42 0.354 0.389 67 0.481 0.529
43 0.359 0.395 68 0.486 0.535
44 0.365 0.401 69 0.491 0.540
45 0.370 0.407 70 0.495 0.545
46 0.375 0.413 75 0.518 0.570
47 0.381 0.419 80 0.541 0.595
48 0.386 0.425 90 0.585 0.658

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5.4.2 Pellets used as the ration fed on the vessel must meet
the nutritional specifications outlined in Table 17.

Table 17 Pellet composition for goats

Pellet composition Specification
Moisture content < 12%
Ash (as a percentage of dry matter) < 13%
Crude protein (as a percentage of dry matter) 9% to 12%
Urea (as a percentage of dry matter) < 1.2%
Acid detergent fibre (as a percentage of dry matter) 18% to 35%
Metabolisable energy > 8.0 MJ/kg dry matter

5.4.3 When calculating feed and water requirements, allowance

must be made for, and goats provided with:

a) at least 3% of liveweight of feed per head per voyage

day for young goats (up to and including 4 permanent
incisor teeth); and
b) at least 2% of liveweight of feed per head per voyage
day for goats with more than 4 permanent incisor teeth;
and
c) at least 6 litres of water per head per voyage day for all
goats.

5.4.4 The minimum veterinary medicines and equipment to be

carried on the vessel is in Table 18. Additional veterinary
medicines and equipment may be necessary if there are other
classes of goat in the consignment (for example obstetrical
supplies for pregnant animals).

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Table 18 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for

goats
Medicines and equipment (per Minimum requirement
10,000 goats unless otherwise
noted)
Penicillin (short acting) 10 goat doses
Oxytetracycline (long acting) or 10 goat doses
equivalent
Flystrike dressing Sufficient to treat 20 wounds
Pink eye treatment system (similar 1 box of 20 tubes
acting to Orbenin)
Thermometers 3 per vessel
Needles (18 gauge, 1 ½ inch) or 100
equivalent
Hypodermic syringes 10 x 20 mL, 2 x 5 mL
Footrot secateurs 1 pair
Post-mortem kit 2 post-mortem knives plus steel and
sharpening stone per vessel
Captive bolt gun 1 per vessel, plus 100 cartridges per
10,000 goats

5.5 Sheep loading and management

requirements
5.5.1 The minimum pen space allocation for sheep is contained in
Table 19. These penning criteria also apply:

a) where a curfew of more than 12 hours will be undertaken at

the registered establishment prior to transport to the port of
embarkation, a curfew factor of an additional 5% must be
applied when calculating liveweight (cumulative with other
additional space requirements and must be calculated first);
and
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b) for weights between those shown in Table 19 the minimum

pen area per head must be calculated by linear interpolation;
and
c) [deleted]
d) sheep without horns may be mixed with sheep with horns up
to 1 full curl in length; and
e) sheep exported in accordance with a long-horned livestock
management plan approved in writing by the department
under Standard 1.7.7 d) must be allocated an additional 10%
space.

Table 19 Minimum pen space allocation for sheep exported

by sea
Liveweight Minimum pen area Liveweight Minimum pen area
(kg) (m2/head) (kg) (m2/head)
Nov to May to Nov to May to
Apr Oct Apr Oct
32 0.295 0.325 53 0.412 0.453
33 0.302 0.332 54 0.417 0.459
34 0.308 0.338 55 0.422 0.465
35 0.313 0.345 56 0.427 0.470
36 0.319 0.351 57 0.433 0.476
37 0.325 0.358 58 0.438 0.481
38 0.331 0.364 59 0.442 0.487
39 0.337 0.370 60 0.447 0.492
40 0.342 0.377 61 0.452 0.498
41 0.348 0.383 62 0.457 0.503
42 0.354 0.389 63 0.462 0.508
43 0.359 0.395 64 0.467 0.514
44 0.365 0.401 65 0.472 0.519
45 0.370 0.407 66 0.476 0.524

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46 0.375 0.413 67 0.481 0.529

47 0.381 0.419 68 0.486 0.535
48 0.386 0.425 69 0.491 0.540
49 0.391 0.431 70 0.495 0.545
50 0.397 0.436 75 0.518 0.570
51 0.402 0.442 80 0.541 0.595
52 0.407 0.448 90 0.585 0.658

5.5.2 Pellets used as the ration fed on the vessel must meet the
nutritional specifications outlined in Table 20.

Table 20 Pellet composition for sheep

Pellet composition Specification
Moisture content < 12%
Ash (as a percentage of dry matter) < 13%
Crude protein (as a percentage of dry matter) 9% to 12%
Urea (as a percentage of dry matter) < 1.2%
Acid detergent fibre (as a percentage of dry matter) 18% to 35%
Metabolisable energy > 8.0MJ/kg dry matter

5.5.3 When calculating feed and water requirements for sheep,

allowance must be made for, and sheep provided with:

a) at least 3% of liveweight of feed per head per voyage day for

young sheep (up to and including 4 permanent incisor teeth);
or
b) at least 2% of liveweight of feed per head per voyage day for
sheep with more than 4 permanent incisor teeth; and
c) at least 6 litres of water per head per voyage day for all sheep.

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5.5.4 The minimum veterinary medicines and equipment to be

carried on the vessel for sheep is in Table 21. Additional
veterinary medicines and equipment may be necessary if there
are other classes of sheep in the consignment (for example
obstetrical supplies for pregnant animals).

Table 21 Minimum veterinary medicines and equipment for

sheep
Medicines and equipment (per Minimum requirement
10,000 sheep unless otherwise
noted)
Penicillin (short acting) 10 sheep doses
Oxytetracycline (long acting) or 10 sheep doses
equivalent
Flystrike dressing Sufficient to treat 20 wounds
Pink eye treatment system (similar 1 box of 20 tubes
acting to Orbenin)
Thermometers 3 per vessel
Needles (18 gauge, 1 ½ inch) or 100
equivalent
Hypodermic syringes 10 x 20mL, 2 x 5mL
Footrot secateurs 1 pair
Post-mortem kit 2 post-mortem knives plus steel and
sharpening stone per vessel
Captive bolt gun 1 per vessel, plus 100 cartridges per
10,000 sheep

5.6 Monitoring and reporting

requirements
5.6.1 During the voyage, a meeting must be held at least daily to
discuss all issues relating to the health and welfare of the
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livestock. The meeting must at least include the master of the

vessel and/or the master's representative, accredited
stockperson(s) and if on board, the AAV.

5.6.2 Livestock and livestock services on the vessel must be

regularly inspected (at minimum once every day and once every
night of the voyage) to ensure that the health and welfare of the
livestock are maintained while on the vessel. This must include:

a) systematic inspection of livestock to assess their health and

welfare; and
b) monitoring and maintenance of feed and/or water supply
systems to ensure they are in good working order; and
c) checking pen space allocation and making adjustments as
required; and
d) monitoring and maintenance of ventilation to promote
optimal thermoregulation of the livestock; and
e) monitoring and maintenance of pen and deck conditions.
Washing down of decks should be carried out regularly
where appropriate for the species, and disposal of faeces and
litter must be carried out in a manner that minimises impacts
on the health and welfare of livestock.
5.6.3 Any livestock identified as being sick or injured during the
voyage (including during loading and unloading) must:

a) be promptly assessed and treated; and

b) be transferred to a hospital pen, if required; or
c) if necessary, be euthanased humanely and promptly by a
method approved under the national animal welfare
standards and guidelines or model codes of practice. The
carcases of any dead livestock must be disposed of in
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accordance with the requirements of Annex V of MARPOL

73/78.

5.6.4 Records must be kept by the exporter as outlined in

Standard 1.1.8.

5.6.5 If a notifiable incident occurs at any time, the exporter must

notify the department as soon as possible and within 12 hours.
For the export of livestock by sea, a notifiable incident includes,
but is not limited to:

a) unloading any livestock from a vessel into an Australian

jurisdiction without prior written approval from the
department;
b) partial or full disablement of ventilation, feeding and/or
watering systems on a vessel carrying livestock, which has
the potential to cause a serious adverse effect on animal
health or welfare;
c) vessels that are having or likely to have shortage of feed
and/or water supply;
d) the maximum water deprivation times equal to
those set out in the Land Transport Standards are
exceeded;
e) disablement of a vessel carrying livestock, such that
assistance is required for return to a port;
f) loss of a vessel (a marine casualty of a vessel) carrying
livestock;
g) an act of terrorism or piracy;
h) diagnosis or reasonable suspicion of an emergency
disease (that is a disease exotic to Australia, or a new
form of disease that is endemic to Australia, or a

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disease that is significant to trade) in a consignment of

livestock;
i) a mortality rate during a voyage that is equal to, or
greater than, the notifiable mortality level (in Table 22);
j) [deleted]
k) rejection of livestock at an overseas port or by an importing
country government;
l) any other incident that has the potential to cause a serious
adverse effect on animal health or welfare.
In relation to a notifiable incident involving a mortality rate
equal to or greater than the notifiable mortality level listed in
Table 22, the notification must include a written report that
contains:

m) details of the mortalities (the number, species, pen location,

suspected cause, the animal's identification, any treatments
administered prior to death); and
n) factors that may have contributed to the mortalities; and
o) the current location of the vessel and, if appropriate, its
destination and estimated time of arrival; and
p) actions being taken by the exporter, accredited
stockpersons, AAV and/or master of the vessel to prevent
or reduce the likelihood of further mortalities during the
voyage.

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Table 22 Average daily mortality rate and notifiable

mortality level for livestock transported by sea
Species Average daily Mortality rate per voyage
mortality rate
Buffalo 0.025% 0.5% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Cattle 0.025% 0.5% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Goat 0.05% 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Sheep 0.05% 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater

5.6.6 The exporter must ensure that an AAV, or accredited

stockperson if there is no AAV on board, provides a daily report
on the health and welfare of the livestock and conditions on board
the vessel to the department within 24 hours of the reporting day,
commencing on the day the first animal is loaded and until the last
animal is unloaded for:

a) long-haul and extended long-haul voyages; and

b) voyages that include buffalo and/or goats; and

c) voyages using the alternative pen space allocations in Table

10a, Table 10b, Table 11b and/or Table 12b.

5.6.7 The daily report must be in the form provided on the

department’s website and include all information required in the
form.

5.6.8 Regardless of the voyage duration, the exporter must ensure

that the AAV, or the accredited stockperson if there is no AAV on
board, provides an end-of-voyage report to the department within
5 days of completion of unloading at the final port of
disembarkation.

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Standard 6 Air transport of

livestock
Standard 6 covers the standards that relate to the sourcing,
preparation, land transport and export of livestock by air. Please
see Standards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the standards that relate to the
export of livestock by sea.

6.1 General and all species

requirements
6.1.1 Livestock sourced for export must meet all relevant
animal health and welfare requirements under state and
territory legislation and relevant requirements under national
animal welfare standards and guidelines, and model codes of
practice.

6.1.2 Livestock sourced for export must meet importing

country requirements.

This version of Standard 6.1.3 remains in force up to, and

including, 2 April 2024
6.1.3 Livestock sourced for export must be:
a) identified in accordance with state and territory and NLIS
requirements; and
b) be traceable to the property of source; and
c) accompanied by a correctly completed and signed movement
records such as NVDs/waybills; and

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d) individually identified where testing, including pregnancy

testing, is required during preparation, excluding
feeder/slaughter sheep and goats where the pregnancy
testing certification may identify animals to a mob-based
level; and
e) accompanied by any test results, including all pregnancy
testing and spay declarations where applicable. Laboratory
test results must be linked to the PIC from where the animal
was sampled and the NLIS tag number of the animal where
individual identification is required by state or territory
legislation.
This version of Standard 6.1.3 comes into force on 3 April
2024
6.1.3 Livestock sourced for export must be:

a) identified in accordance with state and territory and NLIS

requirements; and
b) be traceable to the property of source; and
c) accompanied by correctly completed and signed movement
records such as NVDs/waybills; and
d) individually identified where testing, including pregnancy
testing, is required during preparation, excluding
feeder/slaughter sheep and goats where the pregnancy
testing certification may identify animals to a mob-based
level; and
e) accompanied by any test results, including all pregnancy
testing and spay declarations where applicable. Laboratory
test reports must include the results of testing undertaken
and the below information in a single report:

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i) the NLIS identification number of the animal where

individual identification is required by state or
territory legislation;
ii) the PIC where the animal was sampled; and
iii) the visual tag number of the animal (if applied).
6.1.4 Livestock sourced for export and intended for human
consumption must comply with Australian food safety
requirements, including standards for chemical residues or
environmental contaminants.

6.1.5 Livestock must not be sourced for export or exported unless

dehorning and tipping wounds are fully healed prior to any
transport.

6.1.6 Livestock must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been inspected by a competent stock handler and do not
show signs consistent with the rejection criteria specified in Table
23, or any other condition that could cause the animal's health or
welfare to decline during export preparation or transport.
Livestock that become sick, injured or show signs consistent with
the rejection criteria at any stage of export preparation must be
removed from the consignment, and arrangements must be made
for their prompt and humane handling, care, treatment, euthanasia
and/or disposal, in compliance with all relevant and applicable
legislation.

Table 23 Rejection criteria for all species by air

NB: For some rejection criteria, management procedures may occur after sourcing so
livestock meet eligibility criteria at the time of export.

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Category Rejection criteria

General • Failure to meet importing country requirements
requirements including sex or breed if specified.
• Pregnancy status not confirmed as appropriate for
export
• Viral diseases such as scabby mouth or infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis
• Animals displaying clinical signs of infectious or
contagious disease or of external parasites
• Animals showing signs of injury such as but not
limited to fractures or swelling
• Evidence of imminent parturition
Systemic • Body condition score not appropriate for export (such
conditions as emaciated or over-fat)
• Anorexia (inappetence or 'shy feeders')
• Uncoordinated, collapsed, weak
• Unwell, lethargic, dehydrated
• Ill-thrift
Gastrointestinal • Dysentery or profuse diarrhoea
system • Bloat
Musculoskeletal • Abnormal gait or lameness of any kind
system • Abnormal soft tissue or bony swellings
Nervous system • Nervous symptoms such as head tilt, circling,
incoordination
• Abnormal or aggressive behaviour/intractable or
violent
External/skin • Generalised papillomatosis or generalised ringworm
or dermatophilosis
• Generalised and extensive buffalo fly lesions
• Generalised skin disease or infection
• External skin cancer
• Lacerations that penetrate the full thickness of the
dermis or are likely to affect the health or welfare of
the animal
• Discharging wounds or abscesses

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Category Rejection criteria

• Cutaneous myiasis (flystrike)
• Balanitis (pizzle rot in sheep)
• Blood/abnormal discharge from reproductive tract
(vulva/prepuce)
• Visible external parasites
Head • Blindness in 1 or both eyes
• Cancer eye
• Keratoconjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Excessive salivation
• Nasal discharge consistent with signs of a contagious
or infectious disease
• Coughing consistent with signs of a contagious or
infectious disease
• Respiratory distress-difficulty breathing
• Sharp horns
• Horns that could injure the animal or other animals
• Horns that could restrict access to feed or water
• Bleeding and/or not fully healed horn stumps or
broken antlers
• For sheep, horns longer than 1 full curl*
• For cattle, horns longer than 12cm**
• Scabby mouth

Other • Groups of animals with unusual mortalities

• Disparities in sex, size, weight or age that could cause
an issue with the health or welfare of the animals
(redraft animals in this case)

* unless otherwise provided in a relevant management plan approved in

writing by the department
** horns may be longer than 12 cm if they are pointing downwards parallel to
the face or unless otherwise provided in a relevant management plan
approved in writing by the department

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6.1.7 The land transport of livestock must meet the Land

Transport Standards as well as any relevant animal health and
welfare and road transport requirements under state and
territory legislation and relevant requirements under national
animal welfare standards and guidelines, and model codes of
practice.

a) Well-trained dogs may be used to help with the loading and

unloading of livestock (other than camelids and deer). Dogs
must be muzzled. The number of dogs used should be the
minimum necessary to complete the task. Working dogs
must not be transported in the same pen as livestock.

6.1.8 The land transport of livestock must meet any importing

country requirements for the land transport phases in the
export supply chain.

6.1.9 The maximum water deprivation time and minimum rest

times specified for each species and class of animal equal to those
set out in the Land Transport Standards must be adhered to.
Water deprivation time begins at the time animals are curfewed
prior to transport to the airport and calculations must include the
time until the point animals are provided water again. Exporters
must have a plan for managing water deprivation time and keep
records (expected and actual water deprivation time) for at least
2 years after the date of export.

6.1.10 Where a period of pre-export quarantine or isolation is

required by the importing country, animals forming the
consignment must at all times be physically isolated to prevent
contact with all other animals as per the importing country
requirements, including if the other animals are destined for the
same export market but in a different consignment, an
alternative export market, or domestic use.
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6.1.11 For livestock that are en route or at the airport but

required to return to an approved premise or other premises:

a) in addition to any requirements under the Land Transport

Standards:

i) if the journey from premises departure to premise

return exceeds 6 hours, the livestock must be
unloaded, fed, watered, and rested for a minimum of
12 hours prior to being reloaded for transport; or

ii) if the journey from premises departure to premise

return exceeds 12 hours, the livestock must be
unloaded, fed, watered, and rested for a minimum of
24 hours prior to being reloaded for transport; and

b) the exporter must keep records of animal movements, time off

food and water, and rest periods, and retain these for at least
2 years after the date of export.

6.1.12 Livestock must be expediently loaded and unloaded at all

stages of the export process by a sufficient number of competent
stock handlers in a manner that prevents injury, minimises stress
and ensures that livestock management and welfare needs are
addressed.

6.1.13 Livestock exported by air must be exported in

compliance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations. Where
there is a variance between the IATA Live Animal Regulations
and these standards, ASEL applies.

6.1.14 When calculating pen space allocation and penning

livestock:

a) accurate final weights of livestock must be obtained in view

of the weight limitations imposed by the load capabilities of
the aircraft and the space required per animal; and

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b) where the number of animals per crate calculated is not a

whole number, decimal point 4 and below must be rounded
down. Decimal point 5 and above can be rounded up if the
resulting space allocation does not exceed a 5% decrease
from minimum requirements; and
c) the livestock must be able to stand normally, and once lying
down should be able to regain their feet unaided and without
undue interference from other animals; and
d) when livestock stand normally, no part of the animal's body
(including horns) must touch any overhead part of the crate
including any supporting crossbars; and
e) expected ambient temperatures and ventilation capacity at
loading, transits, transhipments and unloading must be taken
into account; and
f) livestock must be penned with animals of the same species,
class, sex and of a similar weight with the exception of the
following categories where animals may be penned together:
i) Females and castrated males; or
ii) Entire male and female alpacas if they have been
socialised together in the source mob and they are less
than 35kg at the time of loading for export from the
approved premises or other premises used for export
preparation; and
g) where animals of unequal size are placed in the same crate,
the crate must be divided so that they are penned separately;
and
h) where the total air export journey time scheduled is greater
than 24 hours, the pen area per head must be increased by
10% (not cumulative with other requirements in Standards
6.2 to 6.10); and
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i) when livestock are loaded with mixed cargo in aircraft lower

holds, the pen area must be increased by 10% (cumulative
with other requirements in Standards 6.2 to 6.10).
6.1.15 Pen space allocation and penning arrangements must
conform to Standard 6.1.14 and the relevant species specifications
in Standards 6.2 to 6.10 and with any relevant requirements, and
applicable legislation. The exporter must comply with directions
from an authorised officer in relation to pen space allocation to
remove an animal or animals from a crate to ensure animal health
and welfare and compliance with these standards.

Other requirements
6.1.16 Livestock that are declared to be pregnant must not be
tendered for transport to the airport unless accompanied by a
veterinary certificate certifying that the animal is fit to travel
and there is no evidence of imminent parturition at the time of
loading for transport.

6.1.17 Livestock must not be exported with young at foot,

unless otherwise provided in a livestock with young at foot
management plan approved in writing by the department.

6.1.18 Livestock must not be exported:

a) within 5 days of giving birth; or

b) more than 5 days but less than 15 days of giving birth,
unless otherwise provided in a livestock that have
recently given birth management plan approved in
writing by the department.
6.1.19 Female livestock must not be treated with a prostaglandin
drug:

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a) within the 60 day period prior to export unless they have

been pregnancy tested immediately before prostaglandin
treatment and declared to be in the first trimester of
pregnancy or not detectably pregnant; nor
b) within 14 days prior to export.

6.1.20 Miniature breeds of livestock and other light weight

breeds that do not meet minimum liveweight requirements, must
not be sourced for export or exported unless otherwise provided
in a miniature or light weight breed livestock management plan
approved in writing by the department.

6.1.21 Animal records must be kept by the exporter, from the

time of sourcing of livestock to their disembarkation in the
importing country, and retained for at least 2 years after the date
of export. These records must include details of:

a) the animal’s identification in accordance with state and

territory and NLIS requirements including:

i) all management procedures relevant to export

preparation, such as disease testing, pregnancy
testing and shearing, and date(s) undertaken; and

ii) all veterinary medicines and agricultural chemicals

used to vaccinate, treat or otherwise prepare the
animal (including species, treatment date(s), trade
name or active ingredient, batch number, and if
used according to manufacturer’s directions. If not
used according to manufacturer’s directions, the
dose administered is to be included); and

b) any mortality, sickness, injury or other signs consistent

with the rejection criteria found, and where applicable,

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actions taken to remove rejected animals from the

consignment, and the animal’s handling, care, treatment,
euthanasia and/or disposal; and

c) inspections by veterinarians or competent stock handlers

of livestock health, welfare and appropriateness for
export; and

d) all other information required to demonstrate compliance

with relevant ASEL standards.

6.1.22 Veterinary medicines, chemicals and equipment must

be stored and used according to any applicable veterinary
directions and/or manufacturers' recommendations.

6.1.23 Prior to aircraft departure, the exporter must notify the

airline and confirm they will notify the captain of the aircraft of
the species, location, quantity, any special requirements and any
aspect of preparation of the livestock for export that might affect
their health or welfare, including ventilation requirements,
during flight and any transit stops if relevant.

6.1.24 [deleted]

6.1.25 [deleted]

6.1.26 Livestock must be checked by a competent stock handler

appointed by the exporter to ensure they remain healthy and fit to
travel for all flights:

a) at the last reasonable opportunity before departure of the

aircraft; and

b) [deleted]

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c) at the first reasonable opportunity after landing, including

during transit/transhipment stops; and

d) at the last reasonable opportunity before departure, including

during any transit/transhipment stops.

6.1.27 During the air export journey, any livestock identified as

being distressed or injured must, where feasible:

a) be given prompt treatment; and/or

b) be euthanased without delay as necessary; and
c) arrangements must be made to remove or separate sick or
dead livestock from pens carrying multiple animals in transit.
If animals need to be unloaded, arrangements must be made
to ensure the health and welfare of the animals.
6.1.28 Feed and water must be provided to livestock while in
transit if climatic conditions, species, class of livestock or total air
export journey time warrant.

6.1.29 Contingency plans for an air export journey, including

procedures for contacting the exporter, must be prepared in
writing for each consignment that address:

a) unavailability of the aircraft to be used for the air

transportation; and
b) mechanical breakdown, including partial or full disablement
of the ventilation system; and
c) rejection of the consignment, by the importing country; and
d) diversion and landing at a location different from the
intended transit stop(s) or destination and how the welfare of
animals will be overseen; and

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e) euthanasia on board the aircraft if a competent stock handler

is accompanying livestock, if livestock are accessible and if it
is safe to do so, or as soon as possible after unloading from
the aircraft; and
f) procedures for the humane recapture of livestock that escape
during the loading process.

6.1.30 The ventilation and temperature in the livestock hold

must be adequate to maintain the health and welfare of the
livestock at all times while livestock are in the aircraft.

6.2 Alpaca requirements

6.2.1 Alpacas must not be sourced for export or exported unless
they have a liveweight of 20kg or more and are at least 3 months
old.

6.2.2 Alpacas must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against
the alpaca body condition scoring in Table 24 and have a body
condition score of 2 or more but less than 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5).

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Table 24 Alpaca body condition score

Score Description Illustration
1 Severely concave between spine and ribs.
The backbone is very noticeable, ribs are
clearly felt and brisket shows no fat.

2 Slightly concave between spine and ribs.

You can feel backbone, ribs are noticeable
and brisket is firm.

3 Neither concave nor convex between spine

and ribs. You can feel the backbone, but it
does stand out and you can just feel the ribs
and the brisket.

4 Slightly convex between spine and ribs.

You can feel the backbone, but it does not
stand out and you can just feel the ribs and
the brisket.

5 Severely convex between spine and ribs,

the top of the back feels flat. You cannot
feel backbone or ribs, brisket wobbles
when touched.

Source: Australian Alpaca Association

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Figure 3 Visual aid for assisting with

body condition scoring of alpacas

Source: Australian Alpaca Association

Figure 3 is an example of how to body score an alpaca by placing your hand on the
backbone, just forward of the pelvic area (toward the last of the ribs).

6.2.3 Female alpacas with a weight of 35kg or more sourced for

export as feeder or slaughter animals must be individually
pregnancy tested using ultrasound within 30 days prior to export,
by a registered veterinarian with demonstrable current
experience in camelid pregnancy diagnosis, who must certify in
writing that the animal is not detectably pregnant. The
certification must include the certifier’s name, veterinary
registration number, statement of experience, signature, the
animal’s identification and the date of the procedure.

6.2.4 Female alpacas with a weight of 35kg or more sourced for

export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement by

a registered veterinarian with demonstrable current
experience in camelid pregnancy diagnosis; and
b) be certified in writing by the testing veterinarian as either not
detectably pregnant or pregnant and, if pregnant, include the

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number of days pregnant. The certification must include the

certifier’s name, veterinary registration number, statement of
experience, signature, the individual identification number of
the animal and the date of the procedure. Certification is valid
for 60 days for not detectably pregnant alpaca, from the date
of the procedure; and
c) be not more than 227 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department.
6.2.5 Alpacas must be penned in accordance with the minimum
aircraft crate pen area requirements shown in Table 25. For
weights between those shown in Table 25, the minimum pen area
per head must be calculated by linear interpolation.

6.2.6 When calculating pen allocation, the pen area per head must
be increased by 10% for alpacas with more than 25mm of wool.

6.2.7 Alpacas must have enough space to be able to cush during

transport; that is sit with their legs folded underneath them.

Table 25 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for alpacas

exported by air
Liveweight (kg) Minimum pen area
(m2/head)
20 0.238
30 0.311
40 0.377
50 0.436
60 0.492
70 0.545
80 0.595

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Liveweight (kg) Minimum pen area

(m2/head)
90 0.643
100 0.689
110 0.734
120 0.778

6.3 Buffalo requirements

6.3.1 Buffalo must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export, unless the exporter has approval under
Standard 6.1.17 to export livestock with young at foot.

6.3.2 Buffalo must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 21 days.

6.3.3 Buffalo sourced for export must have an individual

liveweight of between 150kg and 650kg (inclusive). Animals
outside these weights must not be sourced for export or exported,
unless:

a) for buffalo less than 150kg, the exporter has approval

under Standard 6.1.20 to export miniature or light
weight breed livestock; or

b) for buffalo more than 650kg, otherwise provided in a

heavy buffalo management plan approved in writing by
the department.

6.3.4 Buffalo must not be sourced for export or exported

unless they have been assessed by a competent stock
handler against the buffalo body condition scoring in

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Table 26 and have a body condition score of 2 or more but

less than 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5).

Table 26 Buffalo body condition score

Score Description P8 fat mm Loin surface Illustration of
thickness vertical section of
the loin region
between spinous
and transverse
processes

1 Emaciated; very 0 Severely

weak – extreme concave
muscle wastage. All
bones highly visible.
Skin 'draped' over
skeleton. Unsteady
gait.

2 Lean; short ribs 0 Moderately

visible, hook and pin concave
bones still
prominent. Can
easily count all ribs.
Some muscle
depletion. No
subcutaneous fat
visible or palpable.

3 Store; (average) 1 to 4 Level, even

good muscle slope
definition, with fat
starting to be
deposited, rib
outlines
disappearing, hook
and pin bones still
defined.

4 Prime; quite even 5 to 35 Moderately

and smooth over convex
whole backline.
Muscling becoming
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Score Description P8 fat mm Loin surface Illustration of

thickness vertical section of
the loin region
between spinous
and transverse
processes
more convex due to
fat deposition.

5 Overfat; usually only >36 Severely

mature cows can convex,
achieve this crease/dip
condition. Bulbous along spine
fat deposits both
sides of tail head. Pin
and hook bones not
discernible.

Source: NT Buffalo Industry Council Inc.

6.3.5 Female buffalo sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must be:

a) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or

manager of the premises where the procedure was
performed including name, contact information and
signature, that certifies that the animal has been spayed
not less than 30 days prior to export using the Willis
dropped ovary technique and includes the animal’s
individual NLIS identification number and date of the
procedure; or

b) be accompanied by a spay declaration from the owner or

manager of the premises where the procedure was performed
including name, contact information and signature, that
certifies that the animal has been spayed not less than 280
days prior to export and includes the animal’s individual NLIS
identification number and date of the procedure; or
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c) be pregnancy tested using manual palpation, approved

blood test, or if the animal is too small to be manually
palpated safely, ultrasound within 30 days prior to
export, by a registered veterinarian who must certify in
writing that the animal is not detectably pregnant. The
certification must include the certifier’s name,
registration number and signature, and the animal’s
individual NLIS identification number and the date of the
procedure.

6.3.6 Female buffalo sourced for export as breeder animals

must be no more than 220 days pregnant at the scheduled
date of export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of
pregnancy management plan approved in writing by the
department, and must be pregnancy tested:

a) by a registered veterinarian using an approved blood test;

and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, undergo testing as per b)

or c) below; or

b) by a registered veterinarian that attests to current experience

and competency in buffalo pregnancy diagnosis, using manual
palpation; and

iv) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or
v) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as
pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; or

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c) by a registered veterinarian that is accredited under the

PREgCHECK (NCPD) scheme if the animal is too small to be
manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and
i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as
not detectably pregnant; or
ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as
pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; and
d) with the certification stating the animal’s individual NLIS
identification number and date of the procedure, the
certifier’s name, registration number and signature, their
PREgCHECK accreditation number and a statement of their
accreditation if ultrasound is used, and the animal’s
individual NLIS identification number. Certification is valid
for 60 days for not detectably pregnant buffalo, from the date
of the procedure.
6.3.7 Buffalo with horns must only be sourced for export or
exported if they have:

a) blunt horns; and

b) horns that are less than the spread of the ears, unless
otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock management
plan approved in writing by the department.

6.3.8 Buffalo must be penned in accordance with the

minimum aircraft crate pen area requirements shown in
Table 27. For weights between those shown in Table 27, the
minimum pen area per head must be calculated by linear
interpolation.

6.3.9 When calculating pen space allocation, the pen area

per head must be increased by 10% for buffalo with horns
less than the spread of the ears.
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Table 27 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for buffalo

exported by air
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
150 0.54 320 0.89 490 1.25
160 0.56 330 0.91 500 1.27
170 0.58 340 0.93 510 1.29
180 0.60 350 0.95 520 1.31
190 0.62 360 0.98 530 1.34
200 0.64 370 1.00 540 1.36
210 0.66 380 1.02 550 1.38
220 0.68 390 1.04 560 1.40
230 0.70 400 1.06 570 1.42
240 0.72 410 1.08 580 1.44
250 0.74 420 1.10 590 1.46
260 0.76 430 1.12 600 1.48
270 0.78 440 1.15 610 1.50
280 0.80 450 1.17 620 1.53
290 0.82 460 1.19 630 1.55
300 0.84 470 1.21 640 1.57
310 0.87 480 1.23 650 1.59

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6.4 Camel requirements

6.4.1 Camels must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled, and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 14 days.

6.4.2 Male camels that are more than 5 years of age and are in rut
must not be exported in the period 1 May and 30 September
(inclusive).

6.4.3 Camels must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
camel body condition scoring in Table 28 and have a body
condition score of 2 or more but less than 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5).

Table 28 Camel body condition score

Score Description Illustration
1 Little or no fat in the hump sac; hump
hairy and may be leaning to one side;
ischium, tuber coxae, shoulder,
spinous and transverse processes of
vertebrae very prominent; recto-
genital zone very deep; hollow of
flank very visible.

2 Hump with moderate development

rising 5% higher than chest depth,
but may also be leaning to one side;
ischium, tuber coxae, shoulder,
spinous and transverse processes of
vertebrae prominent; recto-genital
zone deep; hollow of flank visible.

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Score Description Illustration

3 Hump with good development and
rising to 10% higher than chest
depth. Hump is still sculptured
inwards on both sides and still fits
over the chest and abdominal area;
ischium, tuber coxae, shoulder,
spinous and transverse processes of
vertebrae slightly prominent; recto-
genital zone shallow; hollow of flank
not visible.
4 Hump fully developed and rising to
15% higher than chest depth. Hump
rounded outwards on both sides and
runs from the shoulder to the rump;
ischium, tuber coxae, shoulder,
spinous and transverse processes of
vertebrae not visible; recto-genital
zone full of fat; hollow of flank not
visible.
5 Hump overextended and rising more
than 15% higher than chest, or so full
that it is rounded on the sides like a
semicircle; ischium, tuber coxae,
shoulder, spinous and transverse
processes of vertebrae covered in fat;
recto-genital zone bulging; ribs and
hollow of flank not visible.

Source: The Central Australian Camel Industry Assoc. Inc.

6.4.4 Female camels sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must be pregnancy tested using ultrasound within 30
days prior to export, by a registered veterinarian with
demonstrable current experience in camelid pregnancy
diagnosis, who must certify in writing that the animal is not
detectably pregnant. The certification must include the
certifier’s name, veterinary registration number, statement of
experience, signature, the animal’s identification and the date of
the procedure.
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6.4.5 Female camels sourced for export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement by

a registered veterinarian with demonstrable current
experience in camelid pregnancy diagnosis;
b) be certified in writing by the testing veterinarian as either not
detectably pregnant or pregnant and, if pregnant, include the
number of days pregnant. The certification must include the
certifier’s name, veterinary registration number, statement of
experience, signature, the individual identification number of
the animal and the date of the procedure. Certification is valid
for 60 days for not detectably pregnant camels, from the date
of the procedure; and
c) be no more than 250 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department.
6.4.6 Camels sourced for export must meet transport and
shipping height requirements of the intended transport, meaning
that camels standing normally do not touch any overhead
structures.

6.4.7 Trained camels must be penned individually for air

transport. Wild-caught camels are best transported in groups in
pens such as cattle pens. Use of cattle pens must be limited to
camels under 300kg liveweight.

6.4.8 Camels over 300kg must not be sourced for export or

exported unless otherwise provided in a camels over 300kg
management plan approved in writing by the department.

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6.5 Cattle requirements

6.5.1 Cattle must have been weaned at least 14 days prior
to sourcing for export, unless the exporter has approval
under Standard 6.1.17 to export livestock with young at
foot.

6.5.2 Cattle sourced for export must have an individual

liveweight of between 150kg and 650kg (inclusive). Animals
outside these weights must not be sourced for export or
exported, unless:

a) for cattle less than 150kg, the exporter has approval under
Standard 6.1.20 to export miniature or light weight breed
livestock; or
b) for cattle more than 650kg, otherwise provided in a heavy
cattle management plan approved in writing by the
department.

6.5.3 Cattle must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against
the non-dairy breed cattle body condition scoring in Table 29
or dairy breed cattle body condition scoring in Figure 5 and
have a body condition score of:

a) for non-dairy breed cattle, 2 or more but less than 5 (on a

scale of 0 to 5); and
b) for dairy breed cattle, 3.5 or more but less than 5.5 (on a scale
of 1 to 8).

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Table 29 Non-dairy breed cattle body condition score

Score Description

0 Severely emaciated.

1 The individual bones are sharp to the touch, with no fat at

the head of the tail. Hip bones and ribs are prominent.
2 The individual bones can be felt easily, but feel rounded
rather than sharp. There is some tissue cover around the
tail head. Individual ribs are no longer visually obvious.
3 The short ribs can be felt only with firm thumb pressure.
Areas either side of the tail head have fat cover that can be
felt easily.
4 The ribs cannot be felt and fat cover around the tail head is
easily seen as slight mounds, soft to touch. Folds of fat are
beginning to develop over the ribs and thighs.
5 The bone structure of the animal is no longer noticeable
and the tail head is almost completely buried in fatty tissue.

Figure 4 Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring

of non-dairy breed cattle

Source: Cattle Council of Australia

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Figure 5 Dairy breed cattle body condition score (diagram

shows 3 to 6 on scale of 1 to 8)

Source: DEPI (Vic)

6.5.4 Female cattle sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must:

a) be accompanied by a vendor spay declaration from the owner

or manager of the premises where the procedure was
performed including name, contact information and
signature, that certifies that the animal has been spayed not
less than 30 days prior to export using the Willis dropped
ovary technique and includes the animal’s individual NLIS
identification number and date of the procedure; or
b) be accompanied by a vendor spay declaration from the owner
or manager of the premises where the procedure was
performed including name, contact information and
signature, that certifies that the animal has been spayed not
less than 280 days prior to export and includes the animal’s

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individual NLIS identification number and date of the

procedure; or
c) be pregnancy tested using manual palpation, approved blood
test, or if the animal is too small to be manually palpated
safely, ultrasound within 30 days prior to export, by a
registered veterinarian who must certify in writing that the
animal is not detectably pregnant. The certification must
include the certifier’s name, registration number and
signature, and the animal’s individual NLIS identification
number and the date of the procedure.

6.5.5 Female cattle sourced for export as breeder animals must

be no more than 190 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department, and
must be pregnancy tested:

a) by a registered veterinarian using an approved blood test;

and
i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as
not detectably pregnant; or
ii) if the test result is positive, undergo testing as per b)
or c) below; or
b) by a registered veterinarian that attests to current experience
and competency in cattle pregnancy diagnosis, using manual
palpation; and
i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as
not detectably pregnant; or
ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as
pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; or

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c) by a registered veterinarian that is accredited under the

PREgCHECK (NCPD) scheme if the animal is too small to be
manually palpated safely, using ultrasound; and

i) if the test result is negative, be certified in writing as

not detectably pregnant; or

ii) if the test result is positive, be certified in writing as

pregnant with number of days pregnant stated; and

d) with the certification stating the animal’s individual NLIS

identification number and date of the procedure, the
certifier’s name, registration number and signature, their
PREgCHECK accreditation number and a statement of their
accreditation if ultrasound is used, and the animal’s
individual NLIS identification number. Certification is valid
for 60 days for not detectably pregnant cattle, from the date
of the procedure.

6.5.6 Unless otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock

management plan approved in writing by the department, cattle
with horns must only be sourced for export or exported if the:

a) solid non-vascular tip has been removed to a diameter of 3cm

(or less if the horn vasculature does not allow) and horns
have a blunt horn end; and
b) horns are no longer than 12cm in length at the time of export.

6.5.7 Cattle must be penned in accordance with the minimum

aircraft crate pen area requirements shown in Table 30. For
weights between those shown in Table 30, the minimum pen
area per head must be calculated by linear interpolation.

6.5.8 When calculating pen space allocation, the pen area per
head must be increased by 10% for cattle with horns.

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Table 30 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for cattle

exported by air
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
150 0.54 320 0.89 490 1.25
160 0.56 330 0.91 500 1.27
170 0.58 340 0.93 510 1.29
180 0.60 350 0.95 520 1.31
190 0.62 360 0.98 530 1.34
200 0.64 370 1.00 540 1.36
210 0.66 380 1.02 550 1.38
220 0.68 390 1.04 560 1.40
230 0.70 400 1.06 570 1.42
240 0.72 410 1.08 580 1.44
250 0.74 420 1.10 590 1.46
260 0.76 430 1.12 600 1.48
270 0.78 440 1.15 610 1.50
280 0.80 450 1.17 620 1.53
290 0.82 460 1.19 630 1.55
300 0.84 470 1.21 640 1.57
310 0.87 480 1.23 650 1.59

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6.6 Deer requirements

6.6.1 Deer must not be sourced for export if they are less than 6
months old, unless otherwise provided in a deer under 6 months of
age management plan approved in writing by the department.

6.6.2 Deer must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 21 days.

6.6.3 Deer must have been weaned for at least 8 weeks prior to
sourcing for export, unless the exporter has approval under
Standard 6.1.17 to export livestock with young at foot.

6.6.4 Male deer must only be sourced for export or exported if

they:

a) are not in velvet; or

b) are not in the first 2 weeks after velveting; or
c) have had antlers removed leaving only buttons and wounds
have healed; and
d) are outside the roar and rut periods if over 1 year of age.

6.6.5 Deer must not be sourced for export or exported

unless they have been assessed by a competent stock
handler against the deer body condition scoring in Table 31
and have a body condition score of 2 or more but less than 4
(on a scale of 1 to 5).

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Table 31 Deer body condition score

Score Description Pelvis, ribs and Rump area
spine
1 Emaciated—no fat Prominent Concave
cover
2 Lean—minimal fat Prominent but Slightly concave
cover appear rounded
rather than sharp
3 Prime—ideal fat Not readily Flat
cover distinguished
4 Fat—fat (some Pelvis rounded, Rounded
trimming necessary) spine covered by fat
5 Over-fat—over-fat Pelvis concealed by Very convex
(excessive trimming fat, spine hard to
required) palpate

Source: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (now known as

AgriFutures Australia)

6.6.6 Female deer sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must be pregnancy tested using ultrasound within 30
days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy tester, and
certified in writing by the tester as not detectably pregnant.
The certification must include the certifier’s name, veterinary
registration number or attestation to experience and skill in
pregnancy testing of deer, signature, the animal’s
identification and the date of the procedure.

6.6.7 Female deer sourced for export as breeder animals must be:

a) pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement

by a competent pregnancy tester; and
b) certified in writing by the competent pregnancy tester as
either not detectably pregnant or pregnant and if pregnant

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include the number of days pregnant. The certification

must include the certifier’s name, veterinary registration
number or attestation to experience and skill in pregnancy
testing of deer, signature, the individual identification
number of the animal and date of the procedure.
Certification is valid for 60 days for not detectably
pregnant deer, from the date of the procedure; and
c) no more than 155 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export for red, sambar, chital, hog, fallow or sika breed deer,
unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department; or
d) no more than 160 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export for rusa and wapiti/elk breed deer, unless otherwise
provided in a last third of pregnancy management plan
approved in writing by the department.

6.6.8 Floor space must be adequate to allow deer to lie down

during transport.

6.6.9 Deer must be penned in accordance with the minimum

aircraft crate pen area requirement shown in Table 32. For
weights between those shown in Table 32, the minimum pen
area per head must be calculated by linear interpolation.

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Table 32 Minimum aircraft crate pen area of deer exported

by air
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
20 0.13 75 0.42 250 0.81
22 0.14 80 0.45 260 0.84
24 0.15 85 0.47 270 0.86
26 0.16 90 0.49 280 0.88
28 0.17 95 0.51 290 0.90
30 0.18 100 0.53 300 0.92
32 0.19 110 0.55 310 0.96
34 0.20 120 0.57 320 0.98
36 0.21 130 0.59 330 1.00
38 0.22 140 0.61 340 1.02
40 0.23 150 0.63 350 1.05
42 0.25 160 0.64 360 1.08
44 0.26 170 0.66 370 1.10
46 0.27 180 0.68 380 1.12
48 0.28 190 0.69 390 1.14
50 0.29 200 0.70 400 1.17
55 0.31 210 0.73 410 1.19
60 0.34 220 0.75 420 1.21
65 0.37 230 0.77
70 0.39 240 0.79

6.7 Goat requirements

6.7.1 Goats must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export, unless the exporter has approval under
Standard 6.1.17 to export livestock with young at foot.

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6.7.2 Goats must not be sourced for export unless they have
become conditioned to being handled and to eating and drinking
from troughs for a minimum of 21 days.

6.7.3 Goats must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have a liveweight of more than 14kg. Goats less than this
weight must not be sourced for export or exported, unless the
exporter has approval under Standard 6.1.20 to export
miniature or light weight breed livestock.

6.7.4 Goats must not be sourced for export or exported

unless they have been assessed by a competent stock
handler against the goat body condition scoring in Table 33,
and have a body condition score of 2 or more but less than 4
(on a scale of 1 to 5).

Table 33 Goat body condition score

Score Long ribs (A) Short ribs (B) Backbone (C) Eye
muscle (D)
1 Individual ribs Short ribs are Bones are raised Feels
can be felt very prominent; it is and sharp; it is noticeably
easily; cannot easy to feel easy to feel dished.
feel any tissues between them. between them.
over the ribs. The muscle mass The muscle mass
extends two- extends two-
thirds or less of thirds or less of
the way along the way along
them. them.
2 Individual ribs Ends of short Bones are slightly Feels
can be felt very ribs feel square; raised and can be straight or
easily but slight it is easy to feel easily felt, with slightly
amount of between them. noticeable dishing dished.
tissue is The muscle between them.
present. mass extends to
the end of the
short ribs.

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Score Long ribs (A) Short ribs (B) Backbone (C) Eye
muscle (D)
3 Individual ribs End of short ribs Bones are raised Feels
can be felt are rounded; it is and the ends are slightly
easily but some still possible to rounded; it is still rounded.
tissue is feel between possible to feel
present. them. between them.
4 Individual ribs Ends of short Bones are slightly Feels well
can still be felt ribs are raised; it is rounded.
but tissue is rounded; it may possible to feel
prominent. be possible to them but not
press between between them.
them with
pressure.
5 Individual ribs None or only one Some bone ends Feels very
can be felt or or two bone ends may still be felt or well
just felt; tissue nearest the rib backbone may be rounded.
is very cage may be felt. recessed in fat and
prominent and It is not possible difficult to feel. It
may be fluid. to press between is not possible to
them. feel between bone
ends.
Source: Greenwood et al., 2001

Figure 6 Visual aid for assisting with body condition scoring

of goats

Source: AUS-MEAT

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6.7.5 Female goats sourced for export as feeder or slaughter

animals must be individually pregnancy tested using ultrasound
within 30 days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy tester
who must certify in writing that the animals are not detectably
pregnant. The certification must include the certifier’s name,
veterinary registration number or attestation to experience and
skill in pregnancy testing of goats, signature, the mob’s
identification and the date of the procedure.

6.7.6 Female goats sourced for export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement by

a competent pregnancy tester; and
b) be certified in writing by the competent pregnancy tester as
either not detectably pregnant or pregnant and if pregnant
include the number of days pregnant. The certification must
include the certifier’s name, veterinary registration number
or attestation to experience and skill in pregnancy testing of
goats, signature, the individual identification number of the
animal and the date of the procedure. Certification is valid for
60 days for not detectably pregnant goats, from the date of
procedure; and
c) be no more than 100 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department.
6.7.7 Goats with horns must only be sourced for export
or exported if:

a) the horns would not cause damage to the head or eyes of the
animal or other animals; and
b) the horns would not endanger other animals during
transport; and

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c) the horns would not restrict access to feed or water during

transport; and
d) unless otherwise provided in a long-horned livestock
management plan approved in writing by the department,
the horns:
i) are no longer than 22cm with tips that are no more
than 20cm apart; or
ii) have tips that are further than 20cm apart, but
the horns are no longer than 15cm and are
blunt.
6.7.8 Goats must be penned in accordance with the minimum
aircraft crate pen area requirements shown in Table 34. For
weights between those shown in Table 34, the minimum pen area
per head must be calculated by linear interpolation.

6.7.9 When calculating pen space allocation, the pen area per
head must be increased by 10%:

a) for goats with more than 25mm of hair (not cumulative with
b)); and

b) for goats with horns in excess of Standard 6.7.7 d) (not

cumulative with a)). These goats are to be penned separately.

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Table 34 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for goats

exported by air
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
15 0.093 32 0.175 49 0.256
16 0.098 33 0.179 50 0.261
17 0.103 34 0.184 51 0.266
18 0.107 35 0.189 52 0.271
19 0.112 36 0.194 53 0.275
20 0.117 37 0.199 54 0.280
21 0.122 38 0.203 55 0.285
22 0.127 39 0.208 60 0.309
23 0.131 40 0.213 65 0.333
24 0.136 41 0.218 70 0.357
25 0.141 42 0.223 75 0.381
26 0.146 43 0.227 80 0.405
27 0.151 44 0.232 85 0.429
28 0.155 45 0.237 90 0.453
29 0.160 46 0.242 95 0.477
30 0.165 47 0.247 100 0.501
31 0.170 48 0.251

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6.8 Llama requirements

6.8.1 Llama must not be sourced for export or exported unless
otherwise provided in a llama by air management plan approved
in writing by the department.

6.9 Sheep requirements

6.9.1 Sheep must have been weaned at least 14 days prior to
sourcing for export, unless the exporter has approval under
Standard 6.1.17 to export livestock with young at foot.

6.9.2 Sheep must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have a liveweight of more than 20kg. Sheep less than this
weight must not be sourced for export or exported, unless the
exporter has approval under Standard 6.1.20 to export miniature
or light weight breed livestock.

6.9.3 Sheep must not be sourced for export or exported unless

they have been assessed by a competent stock handler against the
sheep body condition scoring in Table 35 and have a body
condition score of 2 or more but less than 4 (on a scale of 1 to 5).

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Table 35 Sheep body condition score

Score Backbone Short ribs Illustration

1 The bones form a The ends of the short ribs
sharp narrow ridge. are very obvious. It is
Each vertebra can easy to feel the squarish
be easily felt as a shape of the ends. Using
bone under the fingers spread 1 cm apart,
skin. There is only a it feels like the fingernail
very small eye under the skin with
muscle. The sheep practically no covering.
is quite thin
(virtually
unsaleable).
2 The bones form a The ends of the short ribs
narrow ridge but are rounded but it is easy
the points are to press between them.
rounded with Using fingers spread
muscle. It is easy to 0.5 cm apart, the ends feel
press between each rounded like finger ends.
bone. There is a They are covered with
reasonable eye flesh but it is easy to
muscle. Store press under and between
condition ideal for them.
wethers and lean
meat.
3 The vertebrae are The ends of the short ribs
only slightly are well rounded and
elevated above a filled in with muscle.
full eye muscle. It is Using 4 fingers pressed
possible to feel each tightly together, it is
rounded bone but possible to feel the
not to press rounded ends but not
between them. between them. They are
Forward store well covered and filled in
condition ideal for with muscle.
most lamb markets
now. No excess fat.

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Score Backbone Short ribs Illustration

4 It is possible to feel It is only possible to feel
most vertebrae with or sense 1 or 2 short ribs
pressure. The back and only possible to press
bone is a smooth under them with
slightly raised ridge difficulty. It feels like the
above full eye side of the palm, where
muscles and the maybe one end can just
skin floats over it. be sensed.
5 The spine may only It is virtually impossible
be felt (if at all) by to feel under the ends as
pressing down the triangle formed by the
firmly between the long ribs and hip bone is
fat covered eye filled with meat and fat.
muscles. A bustle of The short rib ends cannot
fat may appear over be felt.
the tail (wasteful
and uneconomic).

Source: Lifetime Wool

6.9.4 Female sheep with a weight of 40kg or more, and all female
fat-tailed sheep, sourced for export as feeder or slaughter animals
must be individually pregnancy tested using ultrasound within 30
days prior to export, by a competent pregnancy tester who must
certify in writing that the animals are not detectably pregnant.
The certification must include the certifier’s name, veterinary
registration number or attestation to experience and skill in
pregnancy testing of sheep, signature, the mob’s identification,
and the date of the procedure.

6.9.5 Female sheep sourced for export as breeder animals must:

a) be pregnancy tested using ultrasound foetal measurement

by a competent pregnancy tester; and
b) be certified in writing by the competent pregnancy tester as
either not detectably pregnant or pregnant and if pregnant
include the number of days pregnant. The certification must
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include the certifier’s name, veterinary registration number

or attestation to experience and skill in pregnancy testing of
sheep, signature, the individual identification number of the
animal and the date of the procedure. Certification is valid
for 60 days for not detectably pregnant sheep, from the date
of the procedure; and
c) be no more than 100 days pregnant at the scheduled date of
export, unless otherwise provided in a last third of pregnancy
management plan approved in writing by the department.

6.9.6 Sheep with horns must only be sourced for export or

exported if the horns:

a) would not cause damage to the head or eyes of the animal or

other animals; and
b) would not endanger other animals during transport; and
c) would not restrict access to feed or water during transport;
and
d) are no longer than 1 full curl, unless otherwise provided in a
long-horned livestock management plan approved in writing
by the department.
6.9.7 Sheep must be penned in accordance with the
minimum aircraft crate pen area requirements shown in
Table 36. For weights between those shown in Table 36, the
minimum pen area per head must be calculated by linear
interpolation.

6.9.8 When calculating pen space allocation, the pen area per
head must be increased by 10%:

a) for sheep with horns (not cumulative with b)); and

b) for sheep with more than 25mm of wool or hair (not

cumulative with a)).
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Table 36 Minimum aircraft crate pen area for sheep

exported by air
Minimum Minimum Minimum
Liveweight Liveweight Liveweight
pen area pen area pen area
(kg) (kg) (kg)
(m2/head) (m2/head) (m2/head)
20 0.150 39 0.226 58 0.306
21 0.154 40 0.230 59 0.311
22 0.158 41 0.234 60 0.315
23 0.162 42 0.238 61 0.320
24 0.166 43 0.242 62 0.324
25 0.170 44 0.246 63 0.329
26 0.174 45 0.250 64 0.333
27 0.178 46 0.254 65 0.338
28 0.182 47 0.258 66 0.342
29 0.186 48 0.262 67 0.347
30 0.190 49 0.266 68 0.352
31 0.194 50 0.270 69 0.356
32 0.198 51 0.274 70 0.360
33 0.202 52 0.279 75 0.383
34 0.206 53 0.283 80 0.405
35 0.210 54 0.288 85 0.428
36 0.214 55 0.293 90 0.450
37 0.218 56 0.297 95 0.473
38 0.222 57 0.302 100 0.495

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6.10 [deleted]

6.11 Monitoring and reporting

requirements
6.11.1 If a notifiable incident occurs at any time, the exporter
must notify the department as soon as possible and within 12
hours. For the export of livestock by air, a notifiable incident
includes, but is not limited to:

a) the loss of aircraft;

b) the aircraft having to return to Australia or having an

unplanned/unscheduled stop;

c) partial or full disablement of ventilation systems on an aircraft

carrying livestock which has the potential to cause a serious
adverse effect on animal health or welfare;

d) rejection of livestock at an overseas airport or by an importing

country government;

e) a mortality rate equal to, or greater than, the notifiable

mortality level (in Table 37);

f) the maximum water deprivation times equal to those set out

in the Land Transport Standards are exceeded;

g) any other incident that has the potential to cause a serious

adverse effect on animal health or welfare.

In relation to a notifiable incident involving a mortality rate

equal to or greater than the notifiable mortality level listed in
Table 37, the notification must include a written report that
contains:

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h) details of the mortalities (the number, species, crate

location, suspected cause, the animal’s identification, any
treatments administered prior to death); and

i) factors that may have contributed to the mortalities; and

j) the location of the aircraft at the time of the incident and, if

appropriate, its intended destination and estimated date
and time of arrival.

Table 37 Notifiable mortality level for livestock transported

by air
Species Mortality rate per flight

Buffalo 0.5% or 3 animals, whichever is greater

Camelids 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Cattle 0.5% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Deer 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Goat 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater
Sheep 1% or 3 animals, whichever is greater

6.11.2 The exporter must provide an end of journey report to the

department within 5 days of completion of unloading at the final
airport of disembarkation. The end of journey report must be in a
form provided on the department’s website and include all
information required in the form.

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Appendix A: Pastoral
zones
Western Australia

The local government areas within the Western Australian

pastoral zone are: Ashburton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Broome,
Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Cue, Dundas, East Pilbara, Exmouth, Halls
Creek, Kalgoorlie, Laverton, Leonora, Mount Magnet, Meekatharra,
Menzies, Murchison, Roebourne, Sandstone, Shark Bay, Upper
Gascoyne, West Kimberley, Wiluna, Wyndham-East Kimberley,
Yalgoo, and Yilgarn.

New South Wales

The local government areas within the New South Wales pastoral
zone are: Balranald, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central
Darling, Cobar, and Wentworth. The New South Wales pastoral
zone also includes Unincorporated Far West.

South Australia

The local government areas within the South Australian pastoral

zone are: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, Coober Pedy,
Flinders Ranges, Maralinga Tjarutja, Orroroo/Carrieton, Port
Augusta, Roxby Downs, and Whyalla. The South Australian
pastoral zone also includes Unincorporated West Coast,
Unincorporated Whyalla, Unincorporated Pirie, Unincorporated
Flinders Ranges and Unincorporated Far North.

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Queensland and the Northern Territory

All of Queensland and the Northern Territory is considered to be

within the pastoral zone for the purposes of the standards.

Tasmania and Australian Capital Territory

All of Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are not

considered to be within the pastoral zone for the purposes of the
standards.

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Appendix B: 15°S and 26°S

parallels
This image depicts where the 15°S and 26°S parallels cross
Australia to assist with export requirements.

Map 1 15°S and 26°S parallels

Source: ABARES

Source: ABARES

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Appendix C: Portable
livestock units
Certain criteria apply if a vessel that is not permanently
equipped for the carriage of livestock is to be used and is
equipped with portable livestock units (PLUs).

a) The PLUs must not:

i) be used on voyages of more than 10 voyage days;

or

ii) be used to transport livestock if, for the route in

question, there is a regular service of vessels that
are permanently equipped for the carriage of
livestock, and have valid ACCLs; or

iii) number more than 5 per voyage, not including 1

additional empty PLU for use as a hospital or
isolation area as identified in the exporters’
approved arrangement; or

iv) be stacked on top of each other or stowed in a

position that prevents direct access to the PLU.

b) The PLUs must:

i) be placed and secured in accordance with Marine

Order 43; and

ii) have non-slip and non-abrasive surfaces. This may

be achieved through the use of bedding material
suitable for the class and species of livestock to be
transported; and

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iii) allow space in accordance with Standard 5, with an

additional 15% space allocation to account for:

(i) species and class; and

(ii) size and body condition; and

(iii) wool or hair length; and

(iv) horn status; and

(v) predicted climatic conditions; and

(vi) design and capacity of the PLU.

iv) be adequately equipped to provide shelter and

shade such as shade-cloth and tarpaulins. The
accredited stockperson or AAV must take action
before or during adverse weather conditions to
minimise the risk to the health and welfare of
livestock.

v) be supplied with bedding material that:

(i) minimises abrasions, lameness, pugging,

faecal coating and ammonia production;
and

(ii) is replaced if soiled, as necessary, subject to

type and species; and

(iii) is monitored daily to consistency and

depth; and

(iv) is appropriate to mitigate risks to animal

health and welfare; and

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(v) for cattle, is applied at a minimum of 4kg

per m2 before loading and consists of kiln-
dried sawdust/shavings or equivalent.

vi) be supplied with feed and water that:

(i) has adequate storage space

(ii) is sufficiently protected from weather

(iii) is managed in accordance with Standard 5,

and Marine Order 43.

vii) comply with the requirements of Marine Order 43

for any division within a PLU.

c) The vessel must:

i) have adequate capacity to desalinate water or

sufficient water storage on board

ii) have a hospital or isolation area available as a

means of segregating livestock if required. This
must be clearly stated in the exporter’s approved
arrangement and can be constructed using:

(i) divider rails, or

(ii) an additional empty PLU and the equipment

or facilities required to move livestock
safely between PLUs. If an additional empty
PLU is used as the means of segregating
livestock, details of trained livestock that
are capable of being 'led' between PLUs, or
of a sheep trolley or portable panels, must
be included within the consignment
inventory.
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iii) carry veterinary equipment including medicines,

instruments and stores sufficient for the species and
number of livestock carried. The minimum
veterinary equipment requirements contained in
species specific Standards 5.2 to 5.5 should be
observed. However, number of doses required for
PLUs can be calculated proportionally to the number
of animals being exported.

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Document Control

The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock is

maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry.

Version Date of issue Reason for Change

3.0 November 2020 To implement the

recommendations of the
2018/19 ASEL reviews.

3.1 March 2021 Incorporating changes

in line with the new
export legislation.

3.2 November 2021 2021 update to the

standards to clarify
requirements and
reduce ambiguity.

3.2 23 November To provide for the use of

2022 management plans in
standards 3.7.2 and
3.7.3.

3.3 30 November Incorporating changes

2023 from the 2023 ASEL
Update.

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