Recommended national circus standards

NCCAW Position Statement

This document reflects NCCAw's Recommended National Circus Standards  PDF [127kb] for the management and control of circuses in Australia.

All states and territories have been encouraged to adopt these standards for circuses that exhibit animals to ensure consistency.

These standards are endorsed by the Circus Federation of Australasia and encompass all areas of circus animal care, including transportation, housing, exhibition, and husbandry and training.

• Animal Dignity and Medical
• Behavioural Training
• Definitions
• Display Housing
• Handling and Husbandry
• Housing
• Interaction
• Night Quarters
• Responsibilities of the Circus Proprietor or Manager
• Suitability and Safety
• Tethering, Grooming and Record Keeping
• Types of Behaviour

This Position Statement was developed in September 2005 and reviewed by NCCAW on 20 February 2008.  A decision was made to retain it without amendment.