Obtaining a livestock export licence
Under the Export Control Act 1982, the export of livestock is prohibited unless the exporter holds a livestock export licence under the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (AMLI) Act 1997.
The specific legislative requirements that govern the assessment and issue of a livestock export licence are available to download from the ComLaw website on the links below.
- Export Control Act 1982
- Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (AMLI) Act 1997
- Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Export Licensing) Regulations 1998
- Export Control (Animals) Order 2004
The steps below outline the process involved in obtaining a livestock export licence:
- Prepare an operations and governance manual
- Financial statements
- AFP criminal history check
- Licence application fee
- Forward to AQIS an Application for a Live-stock Export Licence
- Renewal of licence
- Amendments to a current licence
- Auditing
1. Prepare an operations and governance manual
According to the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Export Licensing) Regulations 1998, an operations and governance manual must be submitted with an application for a livestock export license in order for the application to be approved.
The manual must set out how the business will operate and be governed including information about the following aspects of the business:
(i) how the operations of the business will comply with the latest version of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock
(ii) the organisational structure of the business
(iii) people management and staff training
(iv) risk management
(v) records management
(vi) compliance strategy and reviews.
The manual must be version controlled and cover each species and mode of transport (i.e. by sea or by air) for which the live-stock export business wishes to be licensed. AQIS has prepared a guide on the preparation of an operations and governance manual.
The Guidelines for operations and governance manual
2. Financial statements
AQIS looks for evidence that the applicant is financially viable. Any one of the following financial documents is acceptable:
- company annual statement
- profit and loss statement
- tax return for the business
- accounts prepared by the company accountant
- a letter from the accountant stating that the company is solvent.
3. AFP criminal history check
An Australian Federal Police (AFP) criminal history check for each person listed in management and control. Please note: the certified federal police checks can take up to four weeks.
4. Licence application fee
An $300 livestock export licence application fee, either by cheque, made out to the 'Collector of Public Monies, DAFF' or a credit card payment form.
Credit card payment form 
PDF [30kb]
Please note: the assessment of the application is calculated on a time based fee for service. The cost for the assessment will be invoiced to the applicant on completion of the assessment.
5. Forward to AQIS an Application for a Live-stock Export Licence form
Complete the Application for a Live-stock Export Licence form and send it by mail, along with the applicant's operations and governance manual, financial statements, AFP check and the licence application fee to the AQIS Live Animal Exports (LAE) Program in Canberra.
Application for a Live-stock Export Licence PDF [162kb]
Application for a Live-stock Export Licence 
Word [149kb]
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports
Mail: Live Animal Exports Program
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Both the licence application and the operations and governance manual will be reviewed by assessing officers. Should any changes need to be made to the operations and governance manual, the applicant will be contacted by an assessing officer advise where amendments are necessary to better fulfill the requirements. The applicant may also be asked to provide further information, as necessary, in order to assess the licence application.
6. Renewal of licence
A livestock export licence must be renewed every year. A new Application for a Live-stock Export Licence form will need to be submitted. Exporters will be advised of requirements and procedures for having their licence renewed closer to the expiry date of their licence.
7. Amendments to a current licence
Amendments to an exporter's current export licence can be made throughout the year. These may include the following:
- Amendments to operations and governance manual.
- Amendments to types of species permitted to be exported.
- Amendments to mode of transport.
- Amendments to person in management and control.
- Amendments to partnership of business
- Other (e.g. change of ABN, contact details)
Please complete the Variation to Livestock Export Licence form and send it by mail, along with the exporter's operations and governance manual (if the exporter has made amendments to it) to the Live Animal Exports (LAE) Program in Canberra.
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports
Mail: Live Animal Exports Program
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
8. Auditing
As a holder of a livestock export licence, the exporter will be formally audited by AQIS. The purpose of this audit is to determine the extent that the licensed exporter has prepared livestock for export in accordance with the following:
- The Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 and subordinate legislation and Export Control Act 1982 and subordinate legislation
- ASEL (Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock)
- The exporter's operations and governance manual
- Any licence conditions
- The exporter's Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plans (NOI/CRMP)
Please note: The information provided in this web page is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Live Animal Exports Program endeavours to keep this web page current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. The general public are advised to contact the relevant AQIS office for the latest information.