ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2002

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART 1 -- Preliminary  

• 1 Short title
 
• 2 Commencement
 
• 3 Content and intent
 
• 4 Act binds the Crown
 
• 5 Terms used

PART 2 -- Use of animals for scientific purposes  

• 6 Unlicensed use of animals for scientific purposes prohibited
 
• 7 Carrying on business supplying animals for scientific purposes
 
• 8 Application for issue or renewal of licence
 
• 9 Matters to be considered
 
• 10 Minister to issue or renew or decline to issue or renew
 
• 11 Conditions on licences
 
• 12 Further conditions may be imposed
 
• 13 Licensee to ensure staff and students comply with conditions
 
• 14 Display of licence and code of practice
 
• 15 Duration of a licence
 
• 16 Licence not transferable
 
• 17 Suspension and revocation
 
• 18 Register of licences

PART 3 -- Welfare, safety and health of animals

Division 1 -- Objects of this Part  

• 18A Objects of Part

Division 2 -- Regulations about animal welfare, safety and health  

• 18B Regulations -- animal welfare, safety and health

Division 3 -- Cruelty and other inhumane and improper treatment of animals  

• 19 Cruelty to animals
 
• 20 Defence -- self-defence or protecting another person or an animal
 
• 21 Defence -- veterinary care
 
• 22 Defence -- authorised by law
 
• 23 Defence -- normal animal husbandry
 
• 24 Defence -- killing pests
 
• 25 Defence -- code of practice
 
• 26 Defence -- stock fending for itself
 
• 27 Defence -- releasing animals into the wild
 
• 28 Defence -- where person in charge is not in actual custody
 
• 29 Defence -- prescribed use of devices
 
• 30 Defence -- prescribed surgical or similar operations, practices and activities
 
• 31 Possession of things intended to inflict cruelty
 
• 32 Shooting, hunting or fighting captive animals

PART 4 -- Inspectors

Division 1 -- Appointment of inspectors  

• 33 Appointment of general inspectors
 
• 34 Appointment of scientific inspectors
 
• 35 Restricted appointments
 
• 35A Designated inspectors
 
• 36 Identification card

Division 2 -- Functions and powers of inspectors  

• 36A Terms used
 
• 37 Functions and powers of inspectors
 
• 38 Power to enter a place
 
• 39 Power to enter vehicles
 
• 40 Care of animals
 
• 41 Humane destruction of animals
 
• 42 Seizure of animals
 
• 43 Seizure of other property
 
• 44 Dealing with seized property
 
• 45 Dealing with seized fauna
 
• 46 Power to require information
 
• 47 Other powers of inspectors
 
• 48 Performance of an inspector’s functions

Division 3 -- Additional powers of scientific inspectors  

• 49 Direction to suspend use and referral to animal ethics committee
 
• 50 Directions to licensees and their staff
 
• 51 Power to require information
 
• 52 Advice regarding licensing matters
 
• 53 Attendance at meetings of animal ethics committees

PART 5 -- Enforcement

Division 1 -- Additional court orders  

• 54 Court may order a post mortem
 
• 55 Orders additional to penalty
 
• 56 Order for reimbursement of costs
 
• 57 Order for retention of seized property
 
• 58 Costs

Division 2 -- Warrants  

• 59 Grounds for a search warrant
 
• 60 Grounds for a warrant to seize animal
 
• 61 Form of warrant
 
• 62 Urgent warrants

Division 3 -- Infringement notices  

• 63 Term used: authorised person
 
• 64 Appointment of authorised persons
 
• 65 Giving infringement notices
 
• 66 Content of infringement notice
 
• 67 Extension of time to pay
 
• 68 Withdrawal of infringement notice
 
• 69 Benefit of paying modified penalty
 
• 70 Application of modified penalties paid

Division 4 -- Review of decisions  

• 71 Term used: reviewable decision
 
• 72 Aggrieved person may make an objection
 
• 73 Dealing with an objection
 
• 74 Aggrieved person may apply for a review

Division 5 -- Offences  

• 76 Misleading information
 
• 77 Obstruction of inspectors
 
• 78 Pretending to be an inspector
 
• 79 Continuing offences
 
• 80 Liability of officers for offence by body corporate
 
• 81 Partnerships

Division 6 -- General  

• 82 Commencement of proceedings for offences
 
• 83 Evidentiary provisions
 
• 84 Breach of code of practice not sufficient to prove cruelty
 
• 85 Death of animal not sufficient to prove cruelty
 
• 86 Application of fines
 
• 87 Disposal of forfeited property
 
• 88 Penalties for body corporate

PART 6 -- Miscellaneous  

• 89 General power of CEO
 
• 90 Delegation
 
• 91 Improper use of information
 
• 92 Protection from liability
 
• 93 Owner may claim compensation for injury or death
 
• 94 Regulations -- general power
  Uncommenced provisions table   Other notes Defined terms