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Spotlight on our RSPCA Assessors

It takes a team of dedicated individuals to keep the many parts of RSPCA Certified running; both in the office, and on the ground as well. Working directly with farmers, RSPCA Assessors are at the frontline of our farm animal welfare operations and are vital to the certification’s continued success. But what exactly does being an Assessor involve? Read on to find out.

RSPCA Australia
Monday, 13 April 2026

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RSPCA Assessors conduct assessments at farms and abattoirs to verify they are conforming with the detailed Standards set by RSPCA Australia. RSPCA Assessors are skilled in evaluating all areas of the farm or abattoir where animals are raised or present, to check for conformance. On a typical assessment, an Assessor will carefully and rigorously monitor animal behaviour and their overall physical state, environmental conditions such as bedding, shelter, ventilation, and enrichment, and how the animals are managed, through to husbandry and handling. Assessors will also review documentation and records, and any relevant CCTV footage if necessary. Assessments are conducted two to four times per year in the first year, and with consistent conformance, may reduce to once per year with additional unscheduled assessments.

Abattoirs within a Producers scope of certification are visited annually by our Assessors with additional unscheduled visits; ensuring animals receive the same standard of care through their entire lifecycle right up until death.

Assessors come to the RSPCA from varying backgrounds. Many are former farmers or industry professionals, and all bring with them vast experience, insight, and a passion for animal welfare - like John, who was a free-range meat chicken farmer before joining RSPCA Certified in 2014. Since then, he has conducted 1275 assessments, on 628 farms, and all up, has spent well over 800 nights away from home in regional locations as part of the role.

“I was given a copy of the RSPCA Australia Standards, and I could see the vast improvements the standards would create. I just had to be a part of it.” says John. “I think the public deserve to know what they eat or what they buy in the supermarket has been farmed in a better environment and I can vouch for it.”

With hundreds of farms now certified to RSPCA’s standards, the life of an RSPCA Assessor continues to be a busy one, but it’s a role that’s deeply rewarding and one that helps make a tangible difference to the lives of millions of farmed animals.

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Spotlight on our RSPCA Assessors

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