Livestock - Export by sea
Under Australian legislation, the Export Control Act 1982, an export permit and a health certificate are required for export of all livestock from Australia. Live animals for this purpose are defined under section 3.02 of the Export Control (Animals) Order 2004.
More information on the legislation can be found on the ComLaw website via the links below:
The steps below outline the process involved in preparing livestock for export by sea:
- Obtain an livestock export licence—prepare an operations and governance manual
- Forward to AQIS a Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan for Live-stock Exports by Sea form
- Complying with the importing country's requirements
- Pre–export preparation
- Loading
- Voyage
- Auditing
- AQIS fees and charges
- AQIS Animal Exports offices
1. Obtain a livestock export licence—prepare an operations and governance manual
An exporter must have a livestock export licence to export livestock. To obtain further information on export licences, view the Obtaining a livestock export licence web page.
2. Forward to AQIS a Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan for Live-stock Exports by Sea form
Once the livestock export licence has been approved, the exporter may complete a Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan for Live-stock Exports by Sea (NOI/CRMP) form, and return it by fax, email or mail to the LAE program central office in Canberra.
Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan for Live-stock Exports by Sea (NOI/CRMP) 
PDF [99kb]
Notice of Intention and Consignment Risk Management Plan for Live-stock Exports by Sea (NOI/CRMP) 
Word [159kb]
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
The Consignment Risk Management Plan must accompany this form and must set out:
i. The importing country requirements relating to sourcing, pre-export quarantine, treatment and testing, and the exporter's plans to meet those requirements
ii. The standards from the latest version of the Australian Standards for the export of Livestock (ASEL) that is relevant to the export consignment and the exporter's plans to meet those standards
iii. Any additional legislative requirements in the Orders under the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry (AMLI) Act 1997 that is relevant to the export consignment and the exporter's plans to meet these requirements;
e.g. Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Live Cattle Exports to Republic of Korea) Order 2002
iv. Any other risk management plan that the exporter considers necessary for the export.
If any documents are not in English, a certified, translated copy is required. AQIS requires certified translation by NAATI level 2/3 translators.
Any preparation of an export consignment undertaken before the approval of the NOI and CRMP is at the exporter's own commercial risk.
3. Complying with the importing country's requirements
The exporter is responsible for obtaining the importing country requirements and ensuring that the animal(s) are prepared in accordance with the importing country's requirements.
To obtain information on the preparation and health requirements for the species of animal being exported it may be necessary to:
- Visit the official website of the relevant government authority for the destination country.
- Directly contact the relevant government authority by phone, post or email to obtain the latest import requirements in writing. The country's embassy may also be able to assist.
- If the importing country requires an import permit this may also detail the specific preparation and health requirements that need to be met.
Only official documentation published or issued by the relevant government authority in the importing country is acceptable to AQIS as the basis for the preparation and health status of the animal(s) intended for export. Health certificates will not be issued based on information from other sources other than the official website of the responsible government authority in the importing country or appropriately identified government documents.
If the importing country requires quarantine/isolation/separation, the time must be spent in an AQIS registered premises. For more information view the registered premises web page.
The NOI/CRMP must be approved before the exporter begins sourcing animals for export AQIS may give permission to commence sourcing before approval is granted if appropriate. Any preparation of an export consignment undertaken before the approval of the NOI and CRMP is at the exporter's own commercial risk.
View the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL).
If the NOI/CRMP is approved, AQIS will provide written notification of the approval to the exporter and attach one or more 'Approved Export Plans (AEP)'. The approval of the NOI/CRMP provides permission for the exporter to prepare the livestock.
The AEP includes the tasks to be undertaken by the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian (AAV) assisting the exporter prepare the livestock. The AEP is based on the information supplied in the NOI/CRMP and may include requirements for: pre-export isolation or quarantine; treatment and testing of the livestock as required by the importing country protocol or the import permit. The exporter must provide the AEP to the AAV who will undertake the activities in the AEP. To learn more about AAV's, view the AQIS Accredited Veterinarians (Livestock) web page.
The AEP must also be supplied to the registered premises operator. For more information view the registered premises web page.
If circumstances change after the approval of the NOI, the exporter must to write to AQIS Canberra to document the changes and obtain approval before continuing preparation.
4. Pre-export preparation
Once the livestock are assembled at the registered premises, and livestock are tested and treated in accordance with the importing country's requirements, the exporter must apply for the consignment to be inspected by AQIS in the registered premises. Complete an Application for Health Certificate and Permission to Leave for Loading form. This application must be sent to the AQIS office in the state in which the registered premises are located (see AQIS Live Animal Exports offices).
The application must contain:
- documents to demonstrate that the approved NOI/CRMP and AEP were complied with
- declarations from the exporter and accredited veterinarian
- feed and water to be loaded
- loading plans and crate specifications
- details of onboard personnel
- other information specific to the importing country requirements or the ASEL.
Application for Health Certificate and Permission to Leave for Loading PDF [37kb]
Application for Health Certificate and Permission to Leave for Loading Word [64kb]
Once this documentation has been assessed, an AQIS officer will inspect the livestock consignment at the registered premises to ensure it meets all export requirements. If the requirements of the NOI/CRMP and AEP have been met, and the travel and loading plans meet the ASEL, the AQIS officer will prepare a health certificate (if required by the importing country) and the exporter may be granted with a 'Permission to Leave for Loading'.
5. Loading
The 'Permission to Leave for Loading' is authorisation to transport the livestock from the registered premises and load them on board a ship for export.
The exporter is responsible for loading the livestock, feed and water in accordance with the approved travel and loading plan, and in accordance with any conditions of the 'Permission to leave for loading'. The exporter must provide to AQIS a written declaration that the consignment is ready for export and that all CRMP requirements have been met on the Application for Live–stock Export Permits form.
Application for Live–stock Export Permits PDF [65kb]
Application for Live–stock Export Permits Word [50kb]
If AQIS is satisfied that all requirements have been met, AQIS will then issue the export permit and health certificate.
6. Voyage
During the voyage, the exporter must arrange for reports to be provided to AQIS as per the AQIS and ASEL requirements. The stockman and/or AAV is to complete a daily report, which must then be faxed to AQIS for voyages over 10 days length.
If a notifiable incident, as defined in the ASEL, occurs during the voyage, AQIS must be must be advised as soon as possible and within 12 hours.
At the completion of the voyage, an end of voyage report must be completed and sent to AQIS within five working days.
Daily voyage report PDF [41kb]
Daily voyage report Word [70kb]
End of voyage report PDF [41kb]
End of voyage report Word [77kb]
7. Auditing
The purpose of auditing is to ensure that the exporter is complying with the Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act 1997, the Export Control Act 1982 and their subordinate legislations.
8. AQIS fees and charges
The fees applicable for the export of livestock are included in the Export Control (Fees) Order 2001.
9. AQIS Animal Export Offices
AQIS offices are open Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
| Office/Region | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney, New South Wales | 1 Crewe Place Rosebery, NSW, 2018 | 02 8334 7432 | 02 8334 7430 |
| Melbourne, Victoria and Tasmania | 255 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, VIC 3043 | 03 8308 5069 or 03 8308 5072 | 03 8308 5071 |
| Cairns, North Queensland | Airport Administration Centre, Cairns International Airport, QLD 4870 | 07 4030 7800 | 07 4035 9578 |
| Brisbane, South Queensland | 42-44 Qantas Drive, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009 | 07 3246 8731 | 07 3246 8798 |
| Adelaide, South Australia | Adelaide International Airport, Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Export Park, SA 5950 | 08 8201 6000 | 08 8305 9820 |
| Perth, Western Australia | 9 Fricker Road, Perth Airport, WA 6105 | 08 9334 1555 | 08 9334 1668 |
| Darwin, Northern Territory | 1 Pederson Road, (Cnr Henry Wigley Road), Marrara, NT 0812 | 08 8920 7000 | 08 8920 7011 |
| Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City, ACT 2601 | 02 6272 4581 | 02 6272 5423 |
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.