Animal Welfare Advisory Committee


Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) is a statutory body established under the Animal Welfare Act 1992 as a Ministerial advisory committee representing community views on animal welfare in the ACT. It delivers high level advice on welfare priorities nationally and in the ACT and oversees the development and review of animal welfare policy.

AWAC’s role is to facilitate the development of a balanced and coordinated approach to animal welfare matters in the ACT and to provide advice to the Minister for City and Government Services on animal welfare issues.

The specific functions of AWAC include:

Current work priorities

National Standards:

  • National Cattle Standards
  • National Sheep Standards

Codes of Practice drafting and review:

  • Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT
  • Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats in the ACT
  • Code of Practice for the Welfare of Sheep in the ACT
  • Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cattle in the ACT
  • Code of Practice for the Welfare of Poultry (Non-Commercial) in the ACT

Membership

AWAC consists of 11 categories made up of nominated appointees from a range of different animal welfare organisations. The current membership is as follows:

Member

Category

Ms Genevieve Butler

A chair who is not affiliated with an animal welfare or animal user group.

Dr Kyeelee Driver

A person who is an authorised officer under the Animal Welfare Act 1992.

Ms Michelle Robertson

A person nominated by the RSPCA ACT.

Dr Lindsay Hamilton

A person nominated by the Australian Veterinary Association.

Mr John Starr

A person nominated by the ACT Rural Lessees Association.

Dr Justin Clarke

A person, with experience in teaching or research in the field of animal sciences, nominated by –
(i) the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (the CSIRO); or
(ii) an ACT tertiary institution.

Mr Naaman Kranz

A person nominated by a community-based organisation involved in animal welfare, other than the RSPCA ACT.

Ms Yolandi Vermaak

A person nominated by a community-based organisation involved in native wildlife matters.

Dr Hayden Montgomery

A person nominated by an organisation involved in the commercial use of companion animals.

Mr Wayne Slattery

A person nominated by an organisation involved in the recreational or sporting use of animals.

Ms Edana Sinclair A person nominated by the administrative unit with responsibility for the Nature Conservation Act 2014.

Committee meets summaries

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee meets monthly and at the discretion of the Chair. Summaries of these meetings are available below:

Meeting summaries

    2025

    Date of meeting AWAC meeting Potential conflicts of interest Governance Animal Welfare Authority update Codes of Practice update Other business
    Friday-08-Aug-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee was provided an update on a meeting with AWAC members and the RLA regarding the sheep and cattle codes and AWAC’s processes. The Committee was reminded to seek feedback from their respective agencies regarding the Welfare of Dogs Code of Practice in the ACT prior to the closing date of 22 August. The Committee discussed drafting a position statement to the Minister regarding the use of soft jaw traps in the ACT. The Committee discussed the proposal of regulation of animals bred or used in research or teaching in the ACT.
    Friday-11-Jul-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. The Committee agreed to revisit the poultry code in October once other priorities have been addressed. The Committee to meet with the RLA regarding the sheep and cattle codes. The Committee was briefed on the Thermal Assisted Aerial Control Program. The Committee received an update on Dingo and Wild Dog Policy.
    Friday-13-Jun-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee was provided with an update on the 2024-2025 workplan. The Committee noted that Domestic Animal Services has been working with the Community Services Directorate to provide domestic violence resources across ACT Government sites. The Committee approved the survey questions for public consultation on the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT. The Committee discussed drafting a letter to the Minister regarding the ACT Government Invasive and Abundant Native Species Control programs.
    Friday-09-May-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Chair introduced Dr Lindsay Hamilton (LH) to the Committee as the new Category D member, being a person nominated by the Australian Veterinary Association. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. N/A The Committee discussed inviting a representative from EPSDD to brief AWAC on the aerial culling situation in the ACT. The Committee discussed animals bred or used for research or teaching.
    Friday-11-Apr-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register with the addition of an EDRMS for the committee. The AWA provided an update on AWTG meeting and workplan for 2025. N/A The committee discussed the 2025-26 workplan with item additions.
    Friday-14-Mar-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. N/A The committee discussed the Charter document and recommended changes. The committee discussed the 2025-26 workplan with item additions. The committee discussed the endorsement of a recommendation to the Minister for City and Government Services.
    Friday-14-Feb-2025 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. N/A

    2024

    Date of meeting AWAC meeting Potential conflicts of interest Governance Animal Welfare Authority update Codes of Practice update Other business
    Friday-13-Dec-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. The Chair requested any potential conflicts of interest. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. N/A The Committee was provided an update on the Eastern Grey Kangaroo Management Plan by the Directorate. The Committee was updated on the ACT Horse Racing Levy by the Good Samaritans Member. The Committee discussed resources and assistance available for animals affected by bushfires. This item will be revisited in 2025.
    Friday-08-Nov-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. The Committee discussed the update on the code of practice for the Welfare of Cats in the ACT. The Committee finalisation of feedback for the codes of practice for the Welfare of Sheep and Cattle in the ACT. N/A
    Friday-18-Oct-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The committee was provided an update from the Animal Welfare Authority of the Animals Grants Program. The Committee discussed the update on the code of practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT. They also finalisation of feedback for the codes of practice for the Welfare of Sheep and Cattle in the ACT. The Committee agreed on the 2025 meeting dates and set the schedule.
    Friday-13-Sep-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted nil Animal Welfare update. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Poultry (non-commercial) in the ACT draft codes of practice. The chair noted the circulation of the 2025 meeting dates for agreeance.
    Friday-09-Aug-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. The chair noted that new members are in as observers only. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted the Animal Welfare update The Committee discussed the Welfare of Cattle in the ACT draft codes of practice. The Committee discussed a position statement that had been drafted regarding pet grooming in Australia.
    Friday-12-Jul-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee discussed the finance report, actions register, workplan, code of practice register and risk register. The Committee noted the Animal Welfare update. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Sheep in the ACT draft codes of practice. The Committee discussed a position statement that had been drafted regarding pet grooming in Australia. Discussion on 1080 Poisons from the Directorate.
    Friday-14-Jun-2024 The Chair opened the meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed all present. The chair requested the disclosure of conflicts of interest. The Committee noted the finance report, committee actions register, code of practice register and risk register. The Animal Welfare Authority provided an update on current tasks. The Committee welcomed members from Strategic Policy and Planning and discussed what is happening with the review of the veterinary practice legislation review. The Committee noted the work plan and discussed the progress of the items. The Committee discussed and endorsed the proposed work plan for 2024-25 financial year. The committee was provided an update on the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy with the view to submit by 30 June.
    Friday-10-May-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. The Animal Welfare Authority provide an update on Pet Suppliers and Pet Shops. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Poultry (non-commercial) in the ACT and the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT draft codes of practice. The Committee noted the workplan and discussed the progress of the items. They also moved the discussion of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy to the June 2024 meeting
    Wednesday-10-Apr-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. The Animal Welfare Authority provide an update on the Animal Welfare Strategy. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Cats in the ACT and the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT draft codes of practice Workplan - The Committee noted the workplan and discussed its structure moving forward. Kangaroo Update - The committee discussed the Kangaroo Plan and State of the Environment report.
    Friday-08-Mar-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. The Animal Welfare Authority provide an update on the Animal Welfare Strategy. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT and the Welfare of Cats in the ACT codes of practice N/A
    Friday-09-Feb-2024 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. The Animal Welfare Authority provide an update on the Animal Welfare Strategy The Committee discussed the draft codes of practice for the Welfare of Poultry (Non-Commercial) in the ACT. N/A

    2023

    Date of meeting AWAC meeting Potential conflicts of interest Governance Animal Welfare Authority update Codes of Practice update Other business
    Friday-01-Dec-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. 4 conflicts of interest were declared and managed by the Committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice.
    Friday-03-Nov-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-13-Oct-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-01-Sep-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. One conflict of interest was declared at the beginning of the meeting. The Committee also noted the finance report and reviewed the Conflict-of-Interest policy. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-04-Aug-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members were informed the four Small Mammals Codes were out for consultation. The Committee also noted the finance report and reviewed a risk category from the risk register. The Committee noted the Animal Welfare update The Committee discussed some potential new codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-14-Jul-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed requirements of the Risk Register and administrative matters. There was an update from the AWA and discussion with members regarding the Animal Welfare Task Group. The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats was discussed. N/A
    Friday-02-Jun-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed requirements of the Risk Register and administrative matters. There was an update from the AWA and discussion with members regarding the Animal Welfare Task Group. The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats was discussed, along with the Code of Practice for (non-commercial) Poultry. N/A
    Friday-05-May-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed requirements of the Risk Register and administrative matters. N/A The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Small Mammals was discussed along with the Poultry and Cats Codes of Practice. Members discussed priorities for 2023.
    Thursday-06-Apr-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed requirements of the Risk Register. The Animal Welfare Authority provided members with an update. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Small Mammals codes of practice. Members accepted the minutes from the previous meeting held on 3 March 2023. Members also discussed standards and guidelines for Land Transport for Horses.
    Wednesday-08-Mar-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed requirements of the Risk Register. The Animal Welfare Authority provided members with an update. The Committee discussed the Welfare of of Non-Commercial Poultry, Welfare of Working Dogs and Welfare of Small Mammals codes of practice. Members accepted the minutes from the previous meeting held on 3 February 2022. Members discussed priorities for 2023.
    Friday-03-Feb-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members were informed that the Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Native Reptiles and the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Native Wildlife - Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release came into effect on 01 February 2023. The Animal Welfare Authority provided members with an update. The Committee discussed the Welfare of Non-Commercial Poultry codes of practice Members accepted the minutes from the previous meeting held on 2 December 2022. Members also discussed priorities for the workload for 2023.

    2022

    Date of meeting AWAC meeting Potential conflicts of interest Governance Animal Welfare Authority update Codes of Practice update Other business
    Friday-01-Dec-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. 4 conflicts of interest were declared and managed by the Committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice.
    Friday-03-Nov-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-13-Oct-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The Committee noted the finance report and risk register. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-01-Sep-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. One conflict of interest was declared at the beginning of the meeting. The Committee also noted the finance report and reviewed the Conflict-of-Interest policy. N/A The Committee discussed several draft codes of practice. N/A
    Friday-04-Aug-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members were informed the four Small Mammals Codes were out for consultation. The Committee also noted the finance report and reviewed a risk category from the risk register. The Committee noted the Animal Welfare update The Committee discussed some potential new codes of practice. N/A
    Saturday-08-Jul-2023 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. Members discussed the distribution of work projects and the allocated timeframes. Following recruitment, a new committee member has been selected and is undergoing appointment process. N/A The following Codes of Practice were discussed: Code of Practice for the Welfare of Native Wildlife - Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release, Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Native Reptiles, Code of Practice for the Management of Animals in Pounds, Shelters and Rescue Establishments, Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses in the ACT, Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of Small Mammals as Pets in the ACT: individual codes are being drafted for ferrets, mice and rats, guinea pigs and rabbits N/A
    Friday-03-Jun-2022 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The committee accepted the reviewed governance documents. N/A The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats was discussed, along with the Code of Practice for (non-commercial) Poultry. Update on the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Native Wildlife - Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release, Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Native Reptiles, Code of Practice for the Management of Animals in Pounds, Shelters and Rescue, Establishments, Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of Small Mammals as Pets in the ACT and Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT.
    Friday-06-May-2022 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Nil conflicts were noted by the committee. The committee accepted the reviewed governance documents. N/A Update on the codes of practices Welfare of horses in the ACT, Welfare of native wildlife - rescue, rehabilitation and release, Private keeping of native reptiles, Management of animals in pounds, shelters and rescue establishments, Care and welfare of small mammals as pets in the ACT and Welfare of dogs in the ACT. Update on the review of the National Cattle Standards, the National Sheep Standards and the National Sale Yards and Depots Standard. Members were provided feedback on the proposed amendments to update on the Omnibus bill.

Codes of practice

The approval of all codes is subject to a disallowance period by the Legislative Assembly under the Legislation Act 2001.

Animal Welfare (Small Mammals in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice Suite 2024

The Animal Welfare (Small Mammals in the ACT) Mandatory Code of Practice suite 2024 came into effect on 19 July 2024.

These 4 mandatory codes of practice set out the minimum standards and guidelines that must be met for the care of rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and mice and rats in the ACT. They are the first such codes of practice in Australia.

The small mammals code of practice suite is comprised of the following individual codes:

These codes of practice are intended for people who own, keep, care for and breed rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats and mice as pets. The objective of the codes is that small mammals kept in the ACT are provided with care that maximises their long-term health and well-being; and are protected from pain, distress, danger, illness, and injury. The codes will also serve as an educational tool to improve community understanding of how to care for small mammals, raise awareness of lesser-known issues such as potential injury from disease and bites if the animals are not properly handled, and other issues such as hoarding of small mammals.

Contact us

Secretariat services are provided by the Directorate.

Email: TCCS_GMSBoards-Committees@act.gov.au

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.