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RSPCA welcomes inclusion of mandatory video surveillance in updated Animal Welfare Certification System
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Advancing animal welfare through continuous improvement

Continuous improvement is at the centre of RSPCA Australia’s approach to improving the lives of farmed animals. In a complex and evolving animal welfare landscape, the RSPCA is guided by the latest science, community expectations, and an understanding that meaningful change is shaped over time.
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  • RSPCA Australia
  • Monday, 15 June 2026
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Our knowledge of what animals need, their behaviour and how they experience their environment continues to grow, as does the science that helps us understand how to improve their welfare. The state of farmed animal welfare is influenced not only by on-farm practices, but also by the role animals play in food production and in society more broadly. A continuous improvement approach recognises these complexities and works to ensure welfare standards are regularly reviewed and strengthened to reflect better practices.

When it comes to farmed animal welfare, the RSPCA works to bring industry and businesses along the path to higher welfare, including through its certification program, RSPCA Certified. This program is underpinned by RSPCA Australia Standards that are designed to keep raising the bar over time.

The RSPCA’s animal-specific Standards focus on the physical and mental needs of farmed animals. The Standards are grounded in the latest animal welfare science and leading farming practices in Australia and overseas. Importantly, they go beyond legal requirements, resulting in measurable outcomes that demonstrate meaningful welfare improvements.

To achieve RSPCA Certified status, producers must undergo a rigorous assessment process to demonstrate conformance with the Standards. To retain certification, farms are regularly assessed to ensure the Standards continue to be met. These assessments are reviewed by the RSPCA’s Certification Team, providing an additional layer of oversight to maintain the integrity of the program.

In practice, continuous improvement is built into the way the RSPCA Australia Standards are developed and maintained. Recognising that meaningful change often happens incrementally, the Standards are regularly reviewed to reflect the latest animal welfare science, industry innovations and evolving community expectations. This includes input from scientific experts, as well as engagement with industry and other stakeholders. By using science, monitoring and feedback to refine the Standards, updates are evidence-based and targeted. This structured process allows the RSPCA to identify areas for improvement and progressively strengthen requirements over time, ensuring welfare outcomes continue to improve as knowledge and practices advance.

The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by encouraging continuous improvement at government, industry, producer and corporate levels. Our policies, communications and activities are firmly grounded in the latest animal welfare science, helping to drive change from multiple angles to improve the lives of Australia’s farmed animals.

Learn more about RSPCA Certified at rspcacertified.org.au.

See also

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Standards
The RSPCA Australia standards exist solely to improve farm animal welfare. They are detailed and focus on providing good housing conditions for animals (whether indoor, outdoor or in a combination of both).
The RSPCA Australia standards exist solely to improve farm animal welfare. They are detailed and focus on providing good housing conditions for animals (whether indoor, outdoor or in a combination of both).
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Visit the RSPCA Certified Website
RSPCA Certified focuses on improving the lives of farm animals and making higher welfare eggs, meat and fish readily available.
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