Animal Welfare Act 1992
- Number
- A1992-45
- Status
- In Force
Notes
- For infringement notice offences under this Act see Magistrates Court (Animal Welfare Infringement Notices) Regulation 2014
- Current law
- Regulations & instruments
- Point-in-time versions
- Law history
Current version
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 December 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R36 | 6 December 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2025-29 |
Administering Minister and Directorate
- Minister for City and Government Services - City and Environment Directorate
Legislative instruments
Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws
| Name | Status | Classifier | Type | Under | Effective | Year and No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare Regulation 2001 | None | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 31 July 2025 | SL2001-26 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Revocation and Determination 2002(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2002 - 30 June 2003 | DI2002-84 |
| Animal Welfare (Domestic Poultry) Determination 2002 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 10 January 2003 | DI2003-2 | |
| Animal Welfare Regulations (Amendment)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 22 December 1995 - 29 March 2001 | SL1995-48 | |
| Animal Welfare Regulations(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 24 March 1993 | SL1993-12 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2001(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2001 - 30 June 2002 | DI2001-141 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Revocation and Determination 2003(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2003 - 30 June 2004 | DI2003-106 |
| Animal Welfare (Code of Practice) Approval 2001(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 1 March 2001 - 18 August 2005 | DI2001-26 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Revocation and Determination 2000(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2000 - 30 June 2001 | DI2000-174 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Revocation and Determination 1999(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 1999 - 30 June 2000 | DI1999-131 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Revocation and Determination 1998(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 1998 - 30 June 1999 | DI1998-140 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 1995(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 27 June 1995 - 26 June 1996 | DI1995-47 |
| Animal Welfare (Greyhound Welfare Code of Practice) Approval 1995 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 3 July 1995 | DI1995-95 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Farmed Deer Code of Practice) Approval 1995 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 5 July 1995 | DI1995-96 | |
| Animal Welfare (Handling of Companion Animals in Pounds and Shelters Code of Practice) Approval 1995(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 5 July 1995 - 16 November 2023 | DI1995-97 | |
| Animal Welfare (Goat Welfare Code of Practice) Approval 1995 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 5 July 1995 | DI1995-98 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Captive Birds Code of Practice) Approval 1995 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 15 September 1995 | DI1995-129 | |
| Animal Welfare (Domestic Poultry Code of Practice) Approval 1995(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 7 December 1995 - 9 January 2003 | DI1995-162 | |
| Animal Welfare (Recreational and Sport Fishing) Code of Practice Approval 1997(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 24 January 1997 - 20 February 2024 | DI1997-28 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Dogs) Code of Practice Approval 1997(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 28 January 1997 - 27 May 2010 | DI1997-30 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fox Control) Code of Practice Approval 1997(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 18 June 1997 - 20 February 2024 | DI1997-110 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 1997(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 23 July 1997 - 30 June 1998 | DI1997-181 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 1994(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 10 | 30 June 1994 - 26 June 1995 | DI1994-80 |
| Animal Welfare (Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Kangaroos) Approval 1994(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 16 November 1994 - 6 June 2013 | DI1994-149 | |
| Animal Welfare (Amphibians in Captivity) Code of Practice Approval 2004 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 16 January 2004 | DI2004-4 | |
| Animal Welfare (Cats Code of Practice) Approval 1996(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 6 February 1996 - 28 March 2007 | DI1996-8 | |
| Animal Welfare (Horses Code of Practice) Variation Approval 1996(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 6 February 1996 - 18 January 2024 | DI1996-9 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 1996(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 27 June 1996 - 22 July 1997 | DI1996-110 |
| Animal Welfare (Code of Practice - Domestic Poultry) Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 31 May 1993 - 6 December 1995 | DI1993-45 | |
| Animal Welfare (Code of Practice - Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 31 May 1993 - 28 February 2001 | DI1993-44 | |
| Animal Welfare (Sheep) Code of Practice Approval 1993 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 | DI1993-168 | |
| Animal Welfare (Cattle) Code of Practice Approval 1993 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 | DI1993-167 | |
| Animal Welfare (Livestock and Poultry) Code of Practice Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 - 20 February 2024 | DI1993-166 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animals at Saleyards) Code of Practice Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 - 20 February 2024 | DI1993-165 | |
| Animal Welfare (Pet Grooming Establishments) Code of Practice Approval 1993 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 | DI1993-164 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animal Boarding Establishments) Code of Practice Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 - 11 September 2008 | DI1993-163 | |
| Animal Welfare (Horses) Code of Practice Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 8 December 1993 - 18 January 2024 | DI1993-162 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animals in Pet Shops) Code of Practice Approval 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 28 September 1993 - 31 July 2021 | DI1993-139 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 1993(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 March 1993 - 29 June 1994 | DI1993-13 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2004(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2004 - 11 August 2005 | DI2004-107 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2005 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 12 August 2005 - 9 July 2006 | DI2005-180 |
| Animal Welfare (Australian Model Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Approval 2005(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 19 August 2005 - 30 June 2014 | DI2005-188 | |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee) Establishment and Constitution 2005(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 109 | 7 December 2005 - 6 December 2008 | DI2005-278 | |
| Animal Welfare Amendment(Repealed) | Repealed | Notifiable instruments | s 111 | Never effective | NI1997-222 | |
| Animal Welfare Appointment(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 28 June 1995 - 28 September 2011 | NI1995-180 |
| Animal Welfare Commencement Notice 1992(Repealed) | Repealed | Commencement notices | s 2 | 2 November 1992 - 4 November 1992 | CN1992-26 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2006 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 10 July 2006 - 30 June 2007 | DI2006-168 |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Cats in the ACT) Code of Practice 2007 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 29 March 2007 | DI2007-67 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2007 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2007 - 30 June 2008 | DI2007-138 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Chairperson) Appointment 2008 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 109 | 11 June 2008 - 3 December 2008 | NI2008-195 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2008 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009 | DI2008-146 |
| Animal Welfare (Animal Boarding Establishments) Code of Practice 2008(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 12 September 2008 - 26 September 2008 | DI2008-234 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animal Boarding Establishments) Code of Practice 2008 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 27 September 2008 - 31 July 2021 | DI2008-247 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2009 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010 | DI2009-79 |
| Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Establishment 2009 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Notifiable instruments | s 109 | 14 August 2009 - 13 February 2010 | NI2009-385 | |
| Animal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 20 July 2010 - 21 July 2010 | SL2010-9 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animals Used on Film Sets) Code of Practice 2010 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 25 May 2010 | DI2010-84 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Dogs in the ACT) Code of Practice 2010 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 28 May 2010 | DI2010-85 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Poultry: Non-Commercial) Code of Practice 2010 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 4 June 2010 | DI2010-89 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2010 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2011 | DI2010-114 |
| Animal Welfare Amendment Regulation Commencement Notice 2010 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Commencement notices | SL2010-9 s 2 | 20 July 2010 - 21 July 2010 | CN2010-6 | |
| Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointment 2010 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | s 109 | 10 September 2010 - 1 September 2013 | DI2010-207 |
| Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointment 2010 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | s 109 | 10 September 2010 - 1 April 2012 | DI2010-208 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2010(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 26 October 2010 - 18 December 2015 | NI2010-711 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2011(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 15 February 2011 - 18 December 2015 | NI2011-174 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2011 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 3 June 2011 - 6 June 2011 | NI2011-274 |
| Animal Welfare (Authorised Officer) Appointment 2011 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 77 | 3 June 2011 - 6 June 2011 | NI2011-275 |
| Animal Welfare (Authorised Officer) Appointment 2011 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 77 | 7 June 2011 - 17 December 2015 | NI2011-285 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2011 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 7 June 2011 - 18 December 2015 | NI2011-286 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2011 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2011 - 30 June 2012 | DI2011-118 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2011 (No 4)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 4 July 2011 - 9 April 2014 | NI2011-363 |
| Animal Welfare (Animal Welfare Authority) Appointment 2011 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 29 September 2011 - 11 May 2016 | NI2011-615 |
| Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointment 2012 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | s 109 | 18 May 2012 - 3 September 2013 | DI2012-74 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2012 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2012 - 30 June 2013 | DI2012-140 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2013 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 13 March 2013 - 13 August 2018 | NI2013-120 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2013 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2013 - 30 June 2014 | DI2013-64 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspector) Appointment 2013 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 4 June 2013 - 13 August 2018 | NI2013-257 |
| Animal Welfare (Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies) Code of Practice 2013(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 7 June 2013 - 31 October 2013 | DI2013-95 | |
| Animal Welfare (Mandatory Code of Practice) Approval 2013 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 21 October 2013 - 31 July 2021 | DI2013-223 | |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee) Establishment 2013 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Notifiable instruments | s 109 | 4 September 2013 - 26 May 2015 | NI2013-384 | |
| Animal Welfare (Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies) Code of Practice 2014 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 19 March 2014 | DI2014-23 | |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2014 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 10 April 2014 - 5 February 2015 | NI2014-106 |
| Animal Welfare (Authorised Officer) Appointment 2014 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 77 | 19 June 2014 | NI2014-283 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2014 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2014 - 30 June 2015 | DI2014-168 |
| Animal Welfare (Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Code of Practice 2014 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 1 July 2014 | DI2014-195 | |
| Animal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2014 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 1 July 2014 - 2 July 2014 | SL2014-13 | |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2014 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 27 June 2014 - 11 July 2017 | NI2014-302 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2014 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 2 September 2014 - 18 December 2015 | NI2014-440 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2015 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 6 February 2015 - 23 July 2015 | NI2015-52 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2015 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 13 April 2015 - 18 December 2015 | NI2015-147 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2015 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016 | DI2015-80 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee) Establishment 2015(Repealed) | Repealed | Notifiable instruments | s 109 | 27 May 2015 - 18 June 2020 | NI2015-219 | |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2015 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | NI2015-219 s 4 | 2 June 2015 - 4 September 2016 | NI2015-224 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2015 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | NI2015-219 s 4 | 2 June 2015 - 17 May 2018 | NI2015-225 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2015 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 24 July 2015 - 16 May 2017 | NI2015-433 |
| Animal Welfare (Breeding Standard) Determination 2015 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 15B | 15 September 2015 | DI2015-257 | |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Revocation 2015 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 18 December 2015 - 22 December 2015 | NI2015-716 |
| Animal Welfare (Authorised Officer) Appointment 2015 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 77 | 18 December 2015 | NI2015-717 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2015 (No 4)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 18 December 2015 - 1 March 2016 | NI2015-718 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2016 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 1 March 2016 - 16 May 2017 | NI2016-123 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Appointment 2016 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 12 May 2016 - 17 November 2016 | NI2016-237 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2016 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2017 | DI2016-158 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2016 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | NI2015-219 s 4 | 5 September 2016 - 4 September 2019 | NI2016-428 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Appointment 2016 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 18 November 2016 - 13 November 2019 | NI2016-637 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2017 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 17 May 2017 - 1 June 2018 | NI2017-252 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2017 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 17 May 2017 - 11 July 2017 | NI2017-253 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2017 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018 | DI2017-181 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2017 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 12 July 2017 - 13 August 2018 | NI2017-384 |
| Animal Welfare (Keeping and Breeding of Racing Greyhounds in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2018 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 30 April 2018 | DI2018-76 | |
| Animal Welfare (Land Transport of Livestock) Mandatory Code of Practice 2018 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 18 May 2018 | DI2018-90 | |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2018 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 2 June 2018 - 9 April 2019 | NI2018-302 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Delegation 2018 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Delegation | Notifiable instruments | s 6 | 19 June 2018 - 20 August 2019 | NI2018-321 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2018 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2018 - 30 June 2019 | DI2018-178 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2018 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 14 August 2018 - 9 April 2019 | NI2018-475 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2019 (No 1) (Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 10 April 2019 - 20 August 2019 | NI2019-333 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2019 (No 2) (Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 10 April 2019 - 3 December 2019 | NI2019-334 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2019 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2019 - 30 June 2020 | DI2019-110 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Delegation 2019 (No 1) (Repealed) | Repealed | Delegation | Notifiable instruments | s 6 | 21 August 2019 - 19 December 2019 | NI2019-551 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2019 (No 3) (Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 21 August 2019 - 27 May 2020 | NI2019-552 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2019 (No 1) (Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 14 June 2018 - 13 June 2021 | DI2019-216 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2019 (No 4)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 4 December 2019 - 4 March 2021 | NI2019-767 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Appointment 2019 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 14 November 2019 - 9 July 2020 | NI2019-799 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Delegation 2019 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Delegation | Notifiable instruments | s 6 | 20 December 2019 - 9 January 2025 | NI2019-855 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2019 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022 | DI2019-286 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2020 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 28 May 2020 - 26 May 2021 | NI2020-310 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee) Establishment 2020 (No 1) | None | Disallowable instruments | s 109 | 19 June 2020 | DI2020-147 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2020 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021 | DI2020-159 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Appointment 2020 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 10 July 2020 | NI2020-407 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Delegation 2020 (No 1) | None | Delegation | Notifiable instruments | s 6 | 28 August 2020 | NI2020-522 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2021 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 5 March 2021 - 10 June 2021 | NI2021-137 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2021 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 27 May 2021 - 25 March 2022 | NI2021-314 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2021 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022 | DI2021-94 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2021 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 11 June 2021 - 4 March 2022 | NI2021-400 |
| Animal Welfare (Sale of Animals in the ACT other than Stock and Commercial Scale Poultry) Mandatory Code of Practice 2021 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 1 August 2021 | DI2021-192 | |
| Animal Welfare (Animal Day Care Establishments) Mandatory Code of Practice 2021 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 1 August 2021 | DI2021-194 | |
| Animal Welfare (Overnight Animal Boarding Establishments) Mandatory Code of Practice 2021 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 1 August 2021 | DI2021-190 | |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2021 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2021 - 9 August 2024 | DI2021-204 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2022 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 5 March 2022 - 3 November 2022 | NI2022-113 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2022 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 26 March 2022 - 31 January 2024 | NI2022-147 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2022 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 24 May 2022 - 23 May 2025 | DI2022-57 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2022 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023 | DI2022-58 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) (Acting Member) Appointment 2022 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 30 August 2022 - 29 November 2022 | NI2022-410 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2022 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 11 October 2022 - 9 August 2024 | DI2022-228 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2022 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 4 November 2022 - 31 January 2024 | NI2022-562 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2022 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025 | DI2022-245 |
| Animal Welfare (Private Keeping of Native Reptiles) Mandatory Code of Practice 2023 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 1 February 2023 | DI2023-5 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Native Wildlife – Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release) Mandatory Code of Practice 2023 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 1 February 2023 | DI2023-6 | |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2023 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024 | DI2023-101 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2023 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 20 July 2023 - 13 December 2024 | NI2023-420 |
| Animal Welfare (Management of Animals in Pounds, Shelters and Rescue Establishments) Mandatory Code of Practice 2023 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 17 November 2023 | DI2023-255 | |
| Animal Welfare (Welfare of Horses in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2024 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 19 January 2024 | DI2024-11 | |
| Animal Welfare Code of Practice Revocation 2024 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Disallowable instruments | s 22 | 20 February 2024 - 21 February 2024 | DI2024-22 | |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2024 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 1 February 2024 - 28 March 2024 | NI2024-84 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2024 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 1 February 2024 - 5 June 2024 | NI2024-85 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2024 (No 3)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 29 March 2024 - 5 June 2024 | NI2024-155 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Acting Member) Appointment 2024 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 18 April 2024 - 9 August 2024 | NI2024-195 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2024 (No 4)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 6 June 2024 - 9 January 2025 | NI2024-296 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2024 (No 5)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 6 June 2024 - 9 January 2025 | NI2024-297 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2024 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025 | DI2024-128 |
| Animal Welfare (Keeping and Breeding of Ferrets in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2024 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 19 July 2024 | DI2024-229 | |
| Animal Welfare (Keeping and Breeding of Guinea Pigs in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2024 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 19 July 2024 | DI2024-230 | |
| Animal Welfare (Keeping and Breeding of Rabbits in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2024 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 19 July 2024 | DI2024-231 | |
| Animal Welfare (Keeping and Breeding of Rats and Mice in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice 2024 | None | Disallowable instruments | s 23 | 19 July 2024 | DI2024-232 | |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2024 - 20 March 2025 | DI2024-236 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 2) | None | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2024 - 9 August 2027 | DI2024-237 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 3) | None | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2024 - 9 August 2027 | DI2024-238 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 4) | None | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2024 - 9 August 2027 | DI2024-239 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 5) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 10 August 2024 - 9 August 2027 | NI2024-413 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2024 (No 6) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 14 December 2024 - 13 December 2027 | NI2024-712 |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Delegation 2025 (No 1) | None | Delegation | Notifiable instruments | s 6 | 10 January 2025 | NI2025-20 |
| Animal Welfare (Authorised Officer) Appointment 2025 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 77 | 10 January 2025 | NI2025-21 |
| Animal Welfare (Inspectors) Appointment 2025 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 76 | 10 January 2025 | NI2025-22 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2025 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 21 March 2025 - 20 March 2028 | DI2025-29 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2025 (No 2)(Repealed) | Repealed | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 21 March 2025 - 31 December 2025 | DI2025-30 |
| Animal Welfare (Advisory Committee Member) Appointment 2025 (No 3) | None | Appointment | Disallowable instruments | DI2020-147 s 4 | 30 May 2025 - 29 May 2028 | DI2025-71 |
| Animal Welfare (Fees) Determination 2025 (No 1) | None | Fee | Disallowable instruments | s 110 | 1 July 2025 | DI2025-95 |
| Animal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2025 (No 1)(Repealed) | Repealed | Subordinate laws | s 112 | 31 July 2025 - 1 August 2025 | SL2025-16 | |
| Animal Welfare (Authority) Appointment 2026 (No 1) | None | Appointment | Notifiable instruments | s 5 | 1 February 2026 | NI2026-2 |
Point-in-time versions
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 December 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R36 | 6 December 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2025-29 |
| 18 October 2025 - 5 December 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R35 | 18 October 2025 | Republication for expiry of provision (s 113) |
| 15 May 2025 - 17 October 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R34 | 15 May 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2024-11 |
| 22 February 2023 - 14 May 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R33 | 22 February 2023 | Republication for amendments by A2023-1 |
| 23 June 2021 - 21 February 2023 | HTMLPDFWord | R32 | 23 June 2021 | Republication for amendments by A2021-12 |
| 10 April 2020 - 22 June 2021 | HTMLPDFWord | R31 | 10 April 2020 | Republication for amendments by A2019-35 |
| 17 October 2019 - 9 April 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R30 | 17 October 2019 | Republication for amendments by A2019-35 |
| 26 August 2019 - 16 October 2019 | HTMLPDFWord | R29 | 26 August 2019 | Republication for amendments by A2019-2 |
| 21 December 2018 - 25 August 2019 | HTMLPDFWord | R28 | 21 December 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2018-32 |
| 30 April 2018 - 20 December 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R27 | 30 April 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2017-44 |
| 31 May 2016 - 29 April 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R26 | 31 May 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2016-19 |
| 17 May 2016 - 30 May 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R25 | 17 May 2016 | Republication for expiry of transitional provisions (pt 12) |
| 14 October 2015 - 16 May 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R24 | 14 October 2015 | Republication for amendments by A2015-33 |
| 15 September 2015 - 13 October 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R23 | 15 September 2015 | Republication for amendments by A2015-9 |
| 11 June 2015 - 14 September 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R22 | 11 June 2015 | Republication for amendments by A2014-59 |
| 7 March 2014 - 10 June 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R21* | 7 March 2014 | Republication for amendments by A2014-3 |
| 1 March 2012 - 6 March 2014 | HTMLPDFWord | R20 | 1 March 2012 | Republication for amendments by A2011-48 |
| 1 July 2011 - 29 February 2012 | HTMLPDFWord | R19 | 1 July 2011 | Republication for amendments by A2011-22 |
| 1 October 2010 - 30 June 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R18 | 1 October 2010 | Republication for amendments by A2010-14 |
| 28 March 2009 - 30 September 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R17 | 28 March 2009 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 2 February 2009 - 27 March 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R16 | 2 February 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2008-37 |
| 26 August 2008 - 1 February 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R15 | 26 August 2008 | Republication for amendments by A2008-28 |
| 28 March 2008 - 25 August 2008 | HTMLPDFWord | R14 | 28 March 2008 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 27 December 2007 - 27 March 2008 | HTMLPDFWord | R13 | 27 December 2007 | Republication for amendments by A2007-39 |
| 26 September 2007 - 26 December 2007 | HTMLPDFWord | R12 | 26 September 2007 | Republication for amendments by A2007-7 |
| 27 March 2007 - 25 September 2007 | HTMLPDFWord | R11 | 27 March 2007 | Republication for amendments by A2007-7 |
| 11 May 2006 - 26 March 2007 | HTMLPDFWord | R10 | 11 May 2006 | Republication for amendments by A2006-17 |
| 25 November 2005 - 10 May 2006 | HTMLPDFWord | R9 | 25 November 2005 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 24 November 2005 - 24 November 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R8 | 24 November 2005 | Republication for amendments by A2005-54 |
| 26 August 2005 - 23 November 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R7 | 26 August 2005 | Republication for amendments by A2005-19 |
| 17 August 2004 - 25 August 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R6 | 17 August 2004 | Republication for amendments by A2004-50 |
| 9 April 2004 - 16 August 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R5 | 9 April 2004 | Republication for amendments by A2004-15 |
| 12 September 2001 - 8 April 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R4 | 12 September 2001 | Republication for amendments by A2000-72, A2001-44 and A2001-56 |
| 31 January 1999 - 20 December 2000 | HTMLPDFWord | R3 (RI) | 21 January 2020 | Republication for amendments by A1997-45 and A1998-54 Reissued electronic republication of printed version |
| 8 February 1995 - 18 December 1997 | HTMLPDFWord | R2 (RI) | 21 January 2020 | Republication for amendments by A1994-110 Reissued electronic republication of printed version |
| 15 December 1994 - 7 February 1995 | HTMLPDFWord | R1B | 21 January 2020 | Republication for amendments by A1994-97 |
| 14 November 1994 - 14 December 1994 | HTMLPDFWord | R1A | 21 January 2020 | Republication for amendments by A1994-60 |
| 27 August 1993 - 13 November 1994 | HTMLPDFWord | R1 (RI) | 21 January 2020 | Republication for amendments by A1993-44 Reissued electronic republication of printed version |
| 2 November 1992 | HTMLPDFWord | As notified | 1 September 1992 |
Bill and Explanatory statement
The bill and explanatory statement for this Act are accessed from Animal Welfare Bill 1992.
Notification statement
The Animal Welfare Act 1992 was passed by the Legislative Assembly and was notified in the Gazette on 1 September 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S148).
(Parliamentary Counsel)
Act as notified
| Date notified | Effective | Files/Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 1992 | 2 November 1992 | HTMLPDFWord |
Commencement
| Provision | Commencement date | Commencement method |
|---|---|---|
| s 1, s 2 | 1 September 1992 | s 2 (1) |
| s 6, s 76, s 78, s 79, s 109 | 2 November 1992 | s 2 (2) and Gaz 1992 No 44 |
| remainder | 1 March 1993 | s 2 (3) |
Expiries
| Provision | Expiry date | Expiry method |
|---|---|---|
| s 113 | 17 October 2025 (midnight) | s 113 (3) |
| pt 12 | 16 May 2016 (midnight) | s 121 |
| pt 11 | 27 March 2009 (midnight) | s 119 |
| s 5 (2)-(4), s 76 (3)-(5) | 27 March 2008 (midnight) | s 5 (4), s 76 (5) |
| s 6A (6)-(8), s 77 (6)-(8) | 24 November 2005 (midnight) | s 6A (8), s 77 (8) |
Amendments
For section-by-section amendment annotations, see the amendment history in the endnotes in the current version of this law.
| Year and number | Amending law | Amending provision | Commencement date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2019-35 | Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | s 25, s 32, s 50, s 51, s 53, s 54, s 56, s 85, s 86, s 106, s 113, s 117, s 119 | 10 April 2020 |
| A2019-35 | Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | pt 2 (other than s 25, s 32, s 50, s 51, s 53, s 54, s 56, s 85, s 86, s 106, s 113, s 117, s 119) | 17 October 2019 |
| A1993-44 | Acts Revision (Position of Crown) Act 1993 | sch 2 | 27 August 1993 |
| A1994-60 | Administrative Appeals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994 | sch 1 | 14 November 1994 |
| A1994-97 | Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 | sch | 15 December 1994 |
| A1994-110 | Nature Conservation (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1994 | sch 2 | 8 February 1995 |
| A1998-54 | Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 | sch | 9 December 1998 |
| A1997-45 | Animal Welfare (Amendment) Act 1997 | s 6 | 19 December 1997 |
| A1997-45 | Animal Welfare (Amendment) Act 1997, as amended by:
|
s 4, s 5, s 5A | never commenced |
| A2000-72 | Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2000 | ss 4-23, sch 1 | 21 December 2000 |
| A2001-44 | Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 | pt 17 | 12 September 2001 |
| A2001-56 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2001 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.4 | 12 September 2001 |
| A2004-15 | Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004 | sch 1 pt 1.1, sch 2 pt 2.4 | 9 April 2004 |
| A2004-50 | Animal Legislation (Penalties) Amendment Act 2004 | pt 2 | 17 August 2004 |
| A2005-19 | Stock Act 2005 | sch 1 pt 1.1 | 26 August 2005 |
| A2005-54 | Criminal Code Harmonisation Act 2005 | sch 1 pt 1.3 | 24 November 2005 |
| A2006-17 | Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2006 | s 4 | 11 May 2006 |
| A2007-7 | Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2007 | pt 2 (except s 15) | 27 March 2007 |
| A2007-7 | Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2007 | s 15 | 26 September 2007 |
| A2007-39 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3) | sch 3 pt 3.4 | 27 December 2007 |
| A2008-28 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2008 | sch 3 pt 3.3 | 26 August 2008 |
| A2008-37 | ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 2) | sch 1 pt 1.8 | 2 February 2009 |
| A2010-14 | Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2010 | s 4-12 | 1 October 2010 |
| A2011-22 | Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011 | sch 1 pt 1.10 | 1 July 2011 |
| A2011-48 | Evidence (Consequential Amendments) Act 2011 | sch 1 pt 1.3 | 1 March 2012 |
| A2014-3 | Animal Welfare (Factory Farming) Amendment Act 2014 | pt 2 | 7 March 2014 |
| A2014-59 | Nature Conservation Act 2014 | sch 2 pt 2.1 | 11 June 2015 |
| A2015-9 | Domestic Animals (Breeding) Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | pt 2 | 15 September 2015 |
| A2015-33 | Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | sch 1 pt 1.6 | 14 October 2015 |
| A2016-19 | Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2016 | ss 4-24 | 31 May 2016 |
| A2017-44 | Domestic Animals (Racing Greyhounds) Amendment Act 2017 | sch 1 pt 1.1 | 30 April 2018 |
| A2018-32 | Veterinary Practice Act 2018 | sch 3 pt 3.2 | 21 December 2018 |
| A2019-2 | Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | sch 1 | 26 August 2019 |
| A2021-12 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2021 | sch 3 pt 3.2 | 23 June 2021 |
| A2023-1 | Animal Management and Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2023 | pt 2 | 22 February 2023 |
| A2024-11 | Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Act 2024 | sch 3 pt 3.2 | 15 May 2025 |
| A2025-29 | Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 | sch 4 pt 4.9 | 6 December 2025 |