{"id":"sl-2001-26","name":"Animal Welfare Regulation 2001","slug":"animal-welfare-regulation-2001","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"26 of 2001","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173246,"registerId":"act-sl-2001-26-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Animal Welfare Regulation 2001","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nSL2001-26\nmade under the\nAnimal Welfare Act 1992\nRepublication No 14\nEffective: 31 July 2025\nRepublication date: 31 July 2025\nLast amendment made by SL2025-16\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Animal Welfare Regulation 2001, made under the Animal Welfare\nAct 1992 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial\nchanges)) as in force on 31 July 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal\nor expiry affecting this republished law to 31 July 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nmade under the\nAnimal Welfare Act 1992\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\n4 Offences against regulation—application of Criminal Code etc 3\nPart 2 Animal welfare offences\n5 Prescribed electrical devices and animals—Act, s 13 4\n5A Prescribed prohibited items—Act, s 14 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Using or breeding animals for research or\nteaching\n6 Prescribed animals—Act, s 25 (2) (c) 6\n6A Licence conditions—Act, s 28 6\n6B Authorisation conditions—Act, s 39 7\n7 Animal ethics committees—Act, s 50 and dict 7\nPart 4 Circuses and travelling zoos\n7A Circus permit condition—Act, s 56 9\n7B Travelling zoo permit condition—Act, s 56 9\nPart 5 Animal trapping\n7C Prohibited traps—Act, s 60 10\n7D Trapping permit condition—Act, s 65 10\nPart 6 Commercial egg production\nDivision 6.1 Preliminary\n8 Definitions—pt 6 11\n9 Meaning of keeps a laying fowl—pt 6 12\nDivision 6.3 General food and water requirements\n18 Offences—failure to provide adequate food and water 12\nDivision 6.4 Inspection requirements\n20 Offence—failure to carry out inspection 13\n21 Offence—unsatisfactory inspection 13\n22 Offence—failure to act after inspection in relation to injured or sick fowl 14\n23 Offence—failure to act after inspection in relation to water etc 15\n24 Offence—failure to keep inspection records 16\nDivision 6.5 Management practices\n25 Offence—blinkers etc 16\n\nContents\nPage\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Permitted uses of electrical devices on\nanimals 17\nSchedule 2 Animals permitted to be used for teaching in\ncertain schools 18\nPart 2.1 Amphibians 18\nPart 2.2 Birds 18\nPart 2.3 Fish 19\nPart 2.4 Mammals 19\nDictionary 20\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 21\n2 Abbreviation key 21\n3 Legislation history 22\n4 Amendment history 24\n5 Earlier republications 28\n\n\n\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nmade under the\nAnimal Welfare Act 1992\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Animal Welfare Regulation 2001.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other\nterms defined elsewhere in this regulation.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘fowl, for part 6 (Commercial egg\nproduction)—see section 8’ means that the term ‘fowl’ is defined in that\nsection for part 6.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the\nregulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 4\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Offences against regulation—application of Criminal\nCode etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this\nregulation.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this regulation\n(see Code, pt 2.1).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used\nfor offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Animal welfare offences\nSection 5\npage 4 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Animal welfare offences\n5 Prescribed electrical devices and animals—Act, s 13\nThe Act, section 13 does not apply to the use by a person of an\nelectrical device mentioned in an item of schedule 1 on an animal\nmentioned in the same item of that schedule.\nNote The Act, s 13 prohibits the administration of a shock to an animal, except\nin a manner authorised under a territory law.\n5A Prescribed prohibited items—Act, s 14\n(1) The following items are prescribed:\n(a) a soft-jaw trap;\n(b) a shock collar;\n(c) a spur with a sharpened or fixed rowel;\n(d) a cockfighting spur;\n(e) any other device or other thing made or adapted to be attached\nto an animal for a violent animal activity.\n(2) However, the item mentioned in subsection (1) (a) is not prescribed\nin relation to the use or possession of the item by any of the following\npeople:\n(a) an authorised person exercising a function under the Biosecurity\nAct 2023;\n(b) a conservation officer exercising a function under the Nature\nConservation Act 2014;\n(c) a trapping permit-holder;\n(d) a person holding a nature conservation licence that authorises\nthe person to carry out trapping.\n\nAnimal welfare offences Part 2\nSection 5A\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) In this section:\nconservation officer—see the Nature Conservation Act 2014,\ndictionary.\nnature conservation licence—see the Nature Conservation Act 2014,\nsection 262.\nviolent animal activity—see the Act, section 17 (6).\n\nPart 3 Using or breeding animals for research or teaching\nSection 6\npage 6 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Using or breeding animals for\nresearch or teaching\n6 Prescribed animals—Act, s 25 (2) (c)\nThe Act, section 25 does not apply to a person who uses an animal\nmentioned in schedule 2 for teaching purposes in a preschool or\nprimary school.\nNote The Act, s 25 (1) prohibits the use or breeding of an animal for research\nor teaching.\n6A Licence conditions—Act, s 28\nA licence is subject to the following conditions:\n(a) that the licensee must, in accordance with the Act, establish and\nmaintain—\n(i) an animal ethics committee; or\n(ii) appropriate arrangements with an existing animal ethics\ncommittee for that committee to exercise the functions of\nan animal ethics committee in relation to the licensee's\nactivities;\n(b) that, if the authority asks the licensee for information or a\ndocument under the Act, section 31 (Licensees—request for\ninformation and documents), the licensee must give the\ninformation or document to the authority;\n(c) that the licensee must comply with any direction of the animal\nethics committee issued under the Act.\nNote A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments\nmade or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation\nAct, s 104).\n\nUsing or breeding animals for research or teaching Part 3\nSection 6B\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6B Authorisation conditions—Act, s 39\nAn authorisation is subject to the following conditions:\n(a) that, if the animal ethics committee asks the authorisation holder\nfor information or a document under the Act, section 43\n(Authorisation holders—request for information and\ndocuments), the person must give the information or document\nto the committee;\n(b) that the authorisation holder must comply with any direction of\nthe animal ethics committee issued under the Act.\nNote A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments\nmade or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation\nAct, s 104).\n7 Animal ethics committees—Act, s 50 and dict\n(1) An animal ethics committee established in accordance with the code\nis an animal ethics committee for the Act.\n(2) The constitution and functions of an animal ethics committee are the\nconstitution and functions set out in the code.\n(3) An animal ethics committee for a licence must report annually to the\nauthority about the following in relation to the animals that the\ncommittee has approved for use or breeding by the licensee:\n(a) how many animals were used or bred;\n(b) the species of the animals.\nNote If a form is approved under the Act, s 110A for the report, the form must\nbe used.\n(4) A report under subsection (3) must be given to the authority within 4\nmonths after each 30 June.\n\nPart 3 Using or breeding animals for research or teaching\nSection 7\npage 8 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(5) The Legislation Act, section 47 (6) does not apply to the code.\nNote 1 The text of an applied, adopted or incorporated law or instrument,\nwhether applied as in force from time to time or at a particular time, is\ntaken to be a notifiable instrument if the operation of the Legislation Act,\ns 47 (5) or (6) is not disapplied (see s 47 (7)).\nNote 2 A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.\n(6) In this section:\ncode means the Australian code of practice for the care and use of\nanimals for scientific purposes, published by the National Health and\nMedical Research Council, as in force from time to time.\nNote The code may be accessed at www.nhmrc.gov.au.\n\nCircuses and travelling zoos Part 4\nSection 7A\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Circuses and travelling zoos\n7A Circus permit condition—Act, s 56\nA circus permit is subject to the condition that the circus\npermit-holder must not include in the circus troupe a prohibited\nanimal, whether or not for the purpose of using the animal in the\ncircus.\n7B Travelling zoo permit condition—Act, s 56\nA travelling zoo permit is subject to the condition that the travelling\nzoo permit-holder must not include as part of the travelling zoo a\nprohibited animal, whether or not for the purpose of using the animal\nin the travelling zoo.\n\nPart 5 Animal trapping\nSection 7C\npage 10 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Animal trapping\n7C Prohibited traps—Act, s 60\n(1) The following are prohibited traps:\n(a) glue trap;\n(b) metal-toothed rodent trap.\n(2) In this section:\nglue trap means a trap (however described) that contains glue, or\nanother viscid substance, that is non-drying.\nmetal-toothed rodent trap means a trap (however described) that has\na spring-loaded metal arm and metal-toothed edge around the trap’s\nbase.\n7D Trapping permit condition—Act, s 65\nA trapping permit is subject to the condition that, if the authority asks\nthe trapping permit-holder for information or a document under the\nAct, section 68 (Trapping permit-holders—request for information\nand documents), the permit-holder must give the information or\ndocument to the authority.\n\nCommercial egg production Part 6\nPreliminary Division 6.1\nSection 8\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Commercial egg production\nDivision 6.1 Preliminary\n8 Definitions—pt 6\nIn this part:\nadequate food, for a laying fowl, means food that—\n(a) contains enough nutrients for the good health and vitality of the\nfowl; and\n(b) is of sufficient quantity to meet the physiological needs of the\nfowl; and\n(c) is not harmful to the fowl.\nadequate water, for a laying fowl, means water that—\n(a) is at a temperature and of a quality that the fowl will drink; and\n(b) is of sufficient quantity and quality to meet the physiological\nneeds of the fowl; and\n(c) is not harmful to the fowl.\ncup drinker means a cup that—\n(a) is attached to a water line; and\n(b) has a lever or other device in it; and\n(c) is filled with water if pressure is applied to the lever or device.\ndrinker means a nipple drinker or a cup drinker, but does not include\na splash cup located under a nipple drinker.\n\nPart 6 Commercial egg production\nDivision 6.3 General food and water requirements\nSection 9\npage 12 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nfeeder means the container or equipment from which a laying fowl\neats and includes—\n(a) a food trough; and\n(b) a conveyor line or belt carrying food to the fowl.\nfowl means a domesticated chicken (Gallus gallus).\nlayer pullet means a female fowl less than 16 weeks old.\nlaying fowl means a fowl, other than a layer pullet, which is bred,\nkept or used for commercial egg production.\nnipple drinker means a nipple that is attached to a water line.\nshed means a structure of any kind that has a roof and walls and is\nused to keep laying fowl.\n9 Meaning of keeps a laying fowl—pt 6\nFor this part, a person keeps a laying fowl if the person—\n(a) owns a facility used for commercial egg production; and\n(b) has a laying fowl at the facility.\nDivision 6.3 General food and water requirements\n18 Offences—failure to provide adequate food and water\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) fails to provide adequate food for the fowl at least once every\n24 hours.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n\nCommercial egg production Part 6\nInspection requirements Division 6.4\nSection 20\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) fails to provide adequate water for the fowl at least once every\n24 hours.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\nDivision 6.4 Inspection requirements\n20 Offence—failure to carry out inspection\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) fails to inspect, or fails to arrange for another person to inspect,\nthe following at least once every 24 hours:\n(i) the fowl;\n(ii) a water trough, drinker or feeder provided for the fowl;\n(iii) if the fowl is kept in a shed—an electronic or mechanical\nsystem controlling light, humidity, temperature or\nventilation in the shed.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n21 Offence—unsatisfactory inspection\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) the person carried out, or arranged for another person to carry\nout, an inspection mentioned in section 20 (1) (b); and\n(c) the inspection did not cover 1 or more of the following:\n(i) for an inspection of a fowl—assessing the fowl’s health\nand checking for any injury;\n\nPart 6 Commercial egg production\nDivision 6.4 Inspection requirements\nSection 22\npage 14 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) for an inspection of a water trough—checking whether\nthere is water in the trough;\n(iii) for an inspection of a drinker, or an electronic or\nmechanical drinking system—checking the operation of\nthe drinker or system;\n(iv) for an inspection of a feeder—checking—\n(A) whether there is food in or on the feeder; and\n(B) if there is food in or on the feeder—whether the food\nis contaminated; and\n(C) if the feeder is electronically or mechanically\noperated—the operation of the feeder.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n22 Offence—failure to act after inspection in relation to\ninjured or sick fowl\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) carries out, or arranges for another person to carry out, an\ninspection mentioned in section 20 (1) (b) (i); and\n(c) fails, or fails to arrange for another person, after the inspection\nis carried out, to immediately destroy the fowl, or arrange for it\nto be treated, if it is injured or sick.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nCommercial egg production Part 6\nInspection requirements Division 6.4\nSection 23\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n23 Offence—failure to act after inspection in relation to\nwater etc\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) carries out, or arranges for another person to carry out, an\ninspection mentioned in section 20 (1) (b) (ii) or (iii); and\n(c) fails, or fails to arrange for another person, to do any of the\nfollowing after the inspection is carried out:\n(i) if a water trough provided for the fowl has little or no water\nin the trough—provide the fowl with adequate water;\n(ii) if a drinker or an electronic or mechanical drinking system\nprovided for the fowl is not operating correctly—take\nreasonable steps to correct the operation of the drinker or\nsystem, and provide the fowl with adequate water;\n(iii) if a feeder provided for the fowl has little or no food in or\non the feeder—provide the fowl with adequate food;\n(iv) if the food in or on a feeder is contaminated—replace the\ncontaminated food with food that is not contaminated, and\ntake reasonable steps to prevent future contamination of\nfood provided by the feeder;\n(v) if an electronically or mechanically operated feeder is not\noperating correctly—take reasonable steps to correct the\noperation of the feeder.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nPart 6 Commercial egg production\nDivision 6.5 Management practices\nSection 24\npage 16 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n24 Offence—failure to keep inspection records\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) fails to keep a record—\n(i) of each inspection of the matters mentioned in\nsection 21 (1) (c); and\n(ii) of the actions mentioned in section 22 (1) (c) and\nsection 23 (1) (c); and\n(iii) for at least 1 year after the record is made.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\nDivision 6.5 Management practices\n25 Offence—blinkers etc\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person—\n(a) keeps a laying fowl; and\n(b) applies, or allows another person to apply, blinkers or any other\nvision impairing equipment to the fowl.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n\nPermitted uses of electrical devices on animals Schedule 1\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Permitted uses of electrical\ndevices on animals\n(see s 5)\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\npermitted electrical device\ncolumn 3\npermitted species of animal\n1 electro-ejaculator cattle and sheep\n2 electric stock prod cattle and pigs\n3 electric fence animals other than poultry or\ndomestic animals\n\nSchedule 2 Animals permitted to be used for teaching in certain schools\nPart 2.1 Amphibians\npage 18 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 2 Animals permitted to be used\nfor teaching in certain schools\n(see s 6)\nPart 2.1 Amphibians\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nanimal\n1 axolotl\n2 frog\nPart 2.2 Birds\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nanimal\n3 budgerigar\n4 chicken\n5 cockatiel\n6 finch\n7 pigeon\n8 quail\n\nAnimals permitted to be used for teaching in certain schools Schedule 2\nFish Part 2.3\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2.3 Fish\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nanimal\n9 goldfish\n10 guppy\n11 platy\n12 silver perch\n13 sword tail\nPart 2.4 Mammals\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nanimal\n14 guinea pig\n15 mouse\n16 rabbit\n17 rat\n\nDictionary\npage 20 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions relevant to this regulation.\nFor example:\n• maximum penalty\n• must (see s 146)\n• person (see s 160).\nNote 2 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Animal Welfare Act 1992.\nadequate food, for a laying fowl, for part 6 (Commercial egg\nproduction)—see section 8.\nadequate water, for a laying fowl, for part 6 (Commercial egg\nproduction)—see section 8.\ncup drinker, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\ndrinker, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\nfeeder, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\nfowl, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\nkeeps a laying fowl, for part 6—see section 9.\nlayer pullet, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\nlaying fowl, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\nnipple drinker, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see\nsection 8.\nshed, for part 6 (Commercial egg production)—see section 8.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 22 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis regulation was originally the Animal Welfare Regulations 2001. It was\nrenamed under the Legislation Act 2001.\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001 SL2001-26\nnotified 2 August 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 31)\ncommenced 2 August 2001 (s 2)\nas amended by\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2002 A2002-30 pt 3.3\nnotified LR 16 September 2002\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 19 May 1997 (LA s 75 (2))\npt 3.3 commenced 17 September 2002 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2003 A2003-41 sch 3 pt 3.1\nnotified LR 11 September 2003\ns 1, s 2 commenced 11 September 2003 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.1 commenced 9 October 2003 (s 2 (1))\nCriminal Code Harmonisation Act 2005 A2005-54 sch 1 pt 1.5\nnotified LR 27 October 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 October 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 24 November 2005 (s 2)\nAnimal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2007 A2007-7 pt 3\nnotified LR 26 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2007 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 27 March 2007 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2009 A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.3\nnotified LR 1 September 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.3 commenced 22 September 2009 (s 2)\nAnimal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1) SL2010-9\nnotified LR 17 March 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 March 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 20 July 2010 (s 2 and CN2010-6)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAnimal Welfare (Factory Farming) Amendment Act 2014 A2014-3 pt 3\nnotified LR 6 March 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 March 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 7 March 2014 (s 2)\nAnimal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2014 (No 1) SL2014-13\nnotified LR 30 June 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 1 July 2014 (s 2)\nAnimal Welfare Amendment Legislation Act 2019 A2019-35 pt 3\nnotified LR 10 October 2019\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 October 2019 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 17 October 2019 (s 2 (1))\nAnimal Management and Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2023\nA2023-1 pt 3\nnotified LR 15 February 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 February 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 3 commenced 22 February 2023 (s 2)\nAnimal Welfare Amendment Regulation 2025 (No 1) SL2025-16\nnotified LR 30 July 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 July 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 31 July 2025 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 24 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nPreliminary\npt 1 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 4\nName of regulation\ns 1 am R4 LA\nDictionary\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nins A2007-7 s 32\nMeaning of code\ns 3 orig s 3\nom A2007-7 s 32\npres s 3\n(prev s 4) renum as s 3 A2007-7 s 33\nNotes\ns 4 orig s 4\nrenum as s 3\npres s 4\n(prev s 4A) ins A2005-54 amdt 1.32\nrenum as s 4 A2007-7 s 33\nOffences against regulation—application of Criminal Code etc\ns 4A renum as s 4\nAnimal welfare offences\npt 2 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 5\nPrescribed electrical devices and animals—Act, s 13\ns 5 sub SL2010-9 s 5\nPrescribed prohibited items—Act, s 14\ns 5A ins A2019-35 s 123\nam SL2025-16 s 4, s 5; ss renum R14 LA\nUsing or breeding animals for research or teaching\npt 3 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 6\nsub A2023-1 s 7\nPrescribed animals—Act, s 25 (2) (c)\ns 6 hdg sub SL2010-9 s 6\nLicence conditions—Act, s 28\ns 6A ins A2007-7 s 34\nAuthorisation conditions—Act, s 39\ns 6B ins A2007-7 s 34\nam A2009-20 amdt 3.7, amdt 3.8\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAnimal ethics committees—Act, s 50 and dict\ns 7 sub A2007-7 s 35\nam SL2014-13 s 4, s 5\nCircuses and travelling zoos\npt 4 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 7\nCircus permit condition—Act, s 56\ns 7A ins A2007-7 s 36\nTravelling zoo permit condition—Act, s 56\ns 7B ins A2007-7 s 36\nAnimal trapping\npt 5 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 8\nProhibited traps—Act, s 60\ns 7C ins A2007-7 s 36\nTrapping permit condition—Act, s 65\ns 7D ins A2007-7 s 36\nCommercial egg production\npt 6 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nPreliminary\ndiv 6.1 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nDefinitions—pt 6\ns 8 am A2002-30 amdt 3.32; A2003-41 amdt 3.1; A2005-54\namdt 1.33; ss renum A2005-54 amdt 1.34\n(5), (6) exp 1 January 2008 (s 8 (6))\nsub SL2010-9 s 9\ndef adequate food ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef adequate water ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef cup drinker ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef drinker ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef feeder ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef floor area ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 12\ndef fowl ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef layer pullet ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef laying fowl ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef nipple drinker ins SL2010-9 s 9\ndef shed ins SL2010-9 s 9\nMeaning of keeps a laying fowl—pt 6\ns 9 om LA s 89 (3)\nins SL2010-9 s 9\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 26 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLaying fowl kept in cages\ndiv 6.2 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffences—failure to provide access to food and water\ns 10 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffence—failure to comply with multi-deck structure requirements\ns 11 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffence—failure to comply with cage floor requirement\ns 12 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffence—failure to comply with cage height requirements\ns 13 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffences—failure to comply with cage door requirements\ns 14 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffence—failure to provide minimum cage floor area for 1 laying fowl\ns 15 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffence—failure to provide minimum cage floor area for 2 laying fowl\ns 16 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nOffences—failure to provide minimum cage floor area for 3 or more laying\nfowl\ns 17 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 13\nGeneral food and water requirements\ndiv 6.3 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nOffences—failure to provide adequate food and water\ns 18 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nInspection requirements\ndiv 6.4 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nMeaning of trapped—div 6.4\ns 19 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nom A2014-3 s 14\nOffence—failure to carry out inspection\ns 20 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nam A2014-3 s 15; pars renum R10 LA\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n31/07/25\nAnimal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nOffence—unsatisfactory inspection\ns 21 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nam A2014-3 s 16; pars renum R10 LA\nOffence—failure to act after inspection in relation to injured or sick fowl\ns 22 hdg sub A2014-3 s 17\ns 22 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nam A2014-3 s 18, s 19\nOffence—failure to act after inspection in relation to water etc\ns 23 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nOffence—failure to keep inspection records\ns 24 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nManagement practices\ndiv 6.5 hdg ins SL2010-9 s 9\nOffence—blinkers etc\ns 25 ins SL2010-9 s 9\nPermitted uses of electrical devices on animals\nsch 1 am A2007-7 s 37\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-7 s 38\nam A2023-1 s 8\ndef adequate food ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef adequate water ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef code ins A2007-7 s 38\nom SL2014-13 s 6\ndef cup drinker ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef drinker ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef feeder ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef floor area ins SL2010-9 s 10\nom A2014-3 s 20\ndef fowl ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef keeps a laying fowl ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef layer pullet ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef laying fowl ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef nipple drinker ins SL2010-9 s 10\ndef shed ins SL2010-9 s 10\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 28 Animal Welfare Regulation 2001\nEffective: 31/07/25\nR14\n31/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 not amended 12 September 2001\n2 A2002-30 24 September 2002\n3 A2003-41 9 October 2003\n4 A2003-41 1 November 2004\n5 A2005-54 24 November 2005\n6 A2007-7 27 Mar 2007\n7 A2007-7 2 January 2008\n8 A2009-20 22 September 2009\n9 SL2010-9 20 July 2010\n10 A2014-3 7 March 2014\n11 SL2014-13 1 July 2014\n12 A2019-35 17 October 2019\n13 A2023-1 22 February 2023\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has grown significantly beyond its original 2001 scope. The amendment history shows major expansions: Part 6 (Commercial egg production) was added in 2010 with detailed welfare standards for laying hens; provisions for circuses, travelling zoos, and animal trapping were added in 2007; and prohibited items (shock collars, fighting spurs) were added in 2019. The original regulation appears to have been much narrower, focused primarily on research animals and electrical devices."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to the parent Animal Welfare Act 1992 (e.g., 'Act, s 13', 'Act, s 56')","Incorporation by reference of external documents (Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes)","Multiple conditional exceptions (e.g., s 5A(2) exempting certain persons from prohibited items)","Part 6 contains 9 defined terms specific to commercial egg production","Strict liability offences in Part 6 (no need to prove intent, just the act)","Structured in 6 Parts with multiple Divisions, requiring navigation between sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation fills in practical rules under the ACT Animal Welfare Act 1992, banning cruel devices (eg shock collars, glue traps), setting welfare and record-keeping standards for commercial egg production, restricting animals in circuses/travelling zoos, and controlling use of animals in research/teaching and of electrical devices—while allowing limited professional exemptions.\n\nIt affects farmers, researchers/educators, circus operators, licensed trappers and anyone using electrical animal-control tools, turning broad welfare principles into enforceable standards."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation’s scope has been materially altered since 2001 through later amendments. Notable changes include removal of cage-specific provisions for laying fowl (Div 6.2 omitted by A2014-3; see amendment history, am A2014-3 s 13), insertion of a list of prescribed prohibited items (s 5A inserted by Animal Welfare Amendment Legislation Act 2019, s 123), restructuring of the Part 3 research/teaching provisions and dictionary updates (sub A2023-1 s 7; dict am A2023-1 s 8), and recent amendments to prescribed electrical devices/items (SL2025-16 am s 4, s 5). Editorial amendments under the Legislation Act and uncommenced or modified provisions noted in the endnotes also affect scope and operation."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to multiple Acts and external instruments (Animal Welfare Act 1992; Biosecurity Act 2023; Nature Conservation Act 2014; NHMRC code) increase interpretive load (see s 5A(2); s 7).","Incorporation of an external code of practice (Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes) creates ongoing change by reference (s 7(1)–(2)).","Numerous strict-liability offences with modest penalty-unit maxima impose low-evidence criminal exposure for operators (see ss 18, 20–25).","Operational and technical requirements for commercial egg production require frequent inspections, recordkeeping and corrective action, producing recurrent compliance costs (Part 6: ss 8–9, 18, 20–24).","Licence, authorisation and permit conditions require establishment of animal ethics committees, information provision and compliance with committee directions, allocating decision rights to regulators and committees (ss 6A, 6B, 7, 7A–7D).","Schedules set species- and device-specific permissions and prohibitions, meaning small definitional differences have concrete effects (Sch 1, Sch 2).","Targeted prohibitions and carve-outs (eg prohibited traps, banned items with exemptions for authorised officers or licence-holders) create conditional compliance regimes (ss 5, 5A, 7C).","Extensive amendment and editorial history (multiple Acts and subordinate instruments, and editorial changes under the Legislation Act) complicates historical scope and interpretation (see endnotes and amendment history)."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets enforceable, operational rules for animal welfare in the ACT. It specifies permitted electrical devices and banned items, exemptions for certain animals used in school teaching, licence and permit conditions for research, circuses, zoos and trappers, and inspection, recordkeeping and care duties for commercial egg producers. It matters because it creates criminal offences (many with strict liability), reporting obligations and routine compliance tasks that change who does what, who pays for compliance, and what behaviour is required of licence- and permit-holders."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001","history":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001/history","analysis":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/animal-welfare-regulation-2001/documents"}}