Transport guide
A national guide to the transport of animals fit to transport, 'Is it fit to load?' , has been developed in consultation with the livestock industry to help you decide if an animal is fit to be loaded for transport to saleyards, abattoirs, or any other destination.
Good preparation of all livestock is essential to prevent suffering during transport. The relevant husbandry and transport codes recommend, and Export Standards legislate, how livestock should be prepared for transport, including rest periods and feed and water withholding periods.
Is it fit to load?
Ask these questions before you load any animal for transport:
- has the animal been prepared according to the relevant husbandry and transport code and/or Export Standards, as applicable?
- can it walk normally and bear weight on all four legs?
- is it free from visible disease or injury?
- can it keep up with the mob at both loading and unloading?
- can it see out of at least one eye? (Export Standards stipulate that animals must be able to see from both eyes)
- is it in late pregnancy?
- is it a newborn or young animal that requires special consideration?
Download a copy of Is it fit to load? (PDF, 464 KB).
Some examples of animals that are unfit to transport are shown on pages 5-9.
Pre-transport preparation
Preparing stock for transport will help minimise stress before, during and after transit. It begins with good planning of the journey to use the most appropriate route, quiet handling, provision of feed, water and rest as required and selecting only stock that are fit to travel.
The checklist below provides general information but relevant codes and Export Standards should always be referred to.
Under these Acts it is an offence to transport, confine, restrain or catch an animal in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm.
Before yarding:
- ensure your stockyards and loading ramp are adequate for the job
- plan the journey, including inspections and rest stops
- ensure vehicles are safe and of a design that will not cause harm to livestock
- avoid weather extremes, where practicable.
More information
If you have any general enquiries about the guide please email dmarotti@mla.com.au
If in doubt, leave it out.
If you have any queries about an animal, please contact a general inspector from the RSPCA or your relevant state or territory department authority:
- Western Australia
DLGRD, Animal Welfare Branch 08 92171500 or WA Department of Agriculture 08 9368 3627
- South Australia
Department of Environment and Heritage 08 8124 4800
- Victoria
Victorian Department of Primary Industries – Manager Animal Health Operations 03 5430 4509 or
Bureau of Animal Welfare 03 9217 4200
- New South Wales
NSW Department of Primary Industries 02 6391 3682
- Queensland
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 13 25 23
- ACT
Arts, Heritage and Environment 02 6207 2249
- Tasmania
Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment 1300 368 550
- Northern Territory
Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines 08 8999 2038
A list of State and Territory Government animal welfare links and legislation is also available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
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