Our role in farm animal welfare

The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia.

The most meaningful way that we can achieve this is by encouraging continuous improvement for farm animal welfare at a government, industry, producer and corporate level.

The RSPCA firmly grounds its policies, communications, and activities in the most current animal welfare science.

Here’s how we’re working to drive improvements from many angles to make the lives of Australia’s farm animals better. We’ve made significant progress in some areas, but there’s still a long way to go and we need your support.

Improving farm animal welfare

The RSPCA’s science-based approach forms the foundation for our role in Australian agriculture.

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Providing advice to government and key decision makers about animal welfare

Participation in working groups and panels to provide advice on animal welfare

Enabling the public to convey their concerns directly to government and decision makers

Holding governments accountable for decisions that impact animal welfare

Highlighting gaps and differences in animal welfare regulation across Australia

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Develop higher welfare standards that farms are able to meet by participating in the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme

Participation in industry working groups, panels and frameworks to provide expert advice on animal welfare, helping to keep animal welfare on the agenda

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Advice about sourcing policies and how businesses can transition to working with higher welfare farming systems

Support for cafes and restaurants choosing cage-free eggs through the RSPCA’s Choose Wisely initiative

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The RSPCA Approved logo that can be relied on for higher animal welfare

Choose Wisely directory providing guidance on to consumers wanting to support higher welfare when they are dining out

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Providing access to science-based advice and information on the RSPCA Knowledgebase

Educating and informing about current farm animal welfare issues and what you can do to help

Developing and sharing resources that help explain complex animal welfare issues

Developing and sharing education resources that help teach kids about why caring about farm animals is important

Find out more about the RSPCA’s programs, initiatives and resources that are working to improve farm animal welfare.

Keep up to date

Whether you consume animal-derived products or not, you can further your impact by signing up to the RSPCA’s eNews and taking campaign actions to make it known that you care and support continuous improvements to how Australian farm animals are treated.

Sign up to RSPCA Australia eNews

Working with farmers

The RSPCA works with a wide range of stakeholders in the livestock sector, to improve the standards and conditions for farm animal welfare. Our work with farmers includes supporting research and development, engaging with producers through the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, and actively contributing to the Standards and Guidelines processes for different livestock industries, to advocate for improvements to animal welfare.

Agriculture in Australia - Our role (PDF)

Responsible sourcing

The RSPCA works with a wide range of stakeholders to improve the welfare of animals. When it comes to responsible sourcing of animal-based products, there is a lot that individual organisations can do. Our work involves engaging with organisations and brands to provide expert advice on animal welfare and identify how they can make change for the better.

Find out more

RSPCA Knowledgebase

The RSPCA Knowledgebase is your one-stop-shop for informed answers to animal welfare questions. It has answers and explains the facts, all backed by science, to your animal welfare related questions.

Search the Knowledgebase

Education resources

To support teachers, educators, parents and carers the RSPCA has a range of education resources aimed to help children and adults connect their understanding of food with the animals that provide it and increase awareness of what makes for good farm animal welfare.

View Resources

RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of Australia’s most intensively farmed animals by providing an environment that meets their needs. More than 2.5 billion hens, pigs, chickens, turkeys and salmon have benefitted from higher welfare conditions since the Scheme began.

Find out more about RSPCA Approved

Choose Wisely when dining out

Choose Wisely is the RSPCA’s initiative encouraging and supporting cafes and restaurants to source products from higher welfare farming systems, such as cage-free eggs.

Use the Choose Wisely directory to find eating spots near you that source cage-free eggs for their menu. If your favourite eatery isn’t listed, why not encourage them to join?

Search the Directory

RSPCA Humane Food Podcast

In engaging and enlightening episodes, the RSPCA’s Humane Food Podcast explores a range of topics that we know interest Australians.

Listen to the podcast