Elsewhere on DAFF
Registered premises
Under Australia's Export Control Act 1982, all livestock intended for export by sea, must be assembled at an AQIS registered premise, for pre-export quarantine and preparation.
Livestock for export by air can either be prepared at registered premise or an approved premise.
The steps below outline the process involved in registering a premise to be used for holding and preparing livestock for export:
- Prepare an operations manual to submit with your application to register your premise
- Forward to AQIS an Application for Live-stock Premises Registration form
- Variation to registration and operations manuals
- Duration and renewal of registration
- Auditing
1. Prepare an operations manual
According to section 2.05 the Export Control (Animals) Order 2004, an operations manual must be included with an application to register a premise. The operations manual must set out how the premises will operate.
AQIS has prepared a guide on the preparation of an operations manual.
The guide is available to download in the following formats:
Guidelines for registered premises 'operations manual' 
PDF [47kb]
Guidelines for registered premises 'operations manual' 
Word [145kb]
View the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
Once your operations manual is complete it can be forwarded, along with your Application for Live-stock Premises Registration form to the Canberra office of the Live Animal Exports (LAE) Program.
2. Forward to AQIS an Application for Live-stock Premises Registration form
Complete the Application for Live-stock Premises Registration form and send it by mail, along with your operations manual, to the Canberra office of the Live Animal Exports (LAE) Program.
Application for Live–stock Premises Registration PDF [52kb]
Application for Live–stock Premises Registration Word [79kb]
When your application is being considered you may be asked to provide further information or documentation, or to permit an authorised officer to inspect the premises and the facilities and equipment.
You will be advised in writing of the decision to approve or refuse your application.
3. Variation to registration and operations manuals
If the operator of a registered premise wishes to change the capacity or species to be prepared for export, the operator must apply to AQIS Canberra for a variation of the registration. A revised operations manual must accompany the application to vary the registration.
4. Duration and renewal of registration
Registration has effect (unless sooner cancelled) for one year from the date of the notice of registration, or a shorter period specified in the notice.
Registration of premises ceases to have effect if:
(a) The premises are transferred to a new owner or
(b) The operator ceases to have day-to-day control of the operations at the premises.
You may reapply for approval of the registration of the premises no later than one month before the registration expires.
5. Auditing
AQIS will formally audit the operators of registered premises.
The purpose of auditing is to determine the extent to which the registered premises operator has prepared livestock for export in accordance with the following:
- Export Control Act 1982 and its subordinate legislation
- The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL)
- The registered premises operations manual
- Any other registration conditions
The audit process is coordinated by the Live Animal Export Program Canberra office.
Contact details:
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports
Mail: Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
Live Animal Exports Program
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
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.
11 Sep 2009