Work program
Role and objectives of the Inspector-General
The Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports (IGAWLAE) is an independent statutory officer responsible for reviewing the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (the department) performance of functions and exercise of powers in regulating livestock exports.
The IGAWLAE monitors, investigates and reports on the department’s implementation of animal welfare and live animal export legislation and standards with the intention of:
- promoting continual improvements in the regulatory practice, performance and culture of the department
- providing an additional layer of accountability and assurance of the regulation of Australia’s livestock exports
- ensuring livestock export officials consider the welfare of animals when performing functions and exercising their powers
- increasing accountability, regulatory compliance and transparency with Australia’s livestock export legislation and standards.
The IGAWLAE’s role does not include:
- consideration of a single performance of a function, or a single exercise of a power, by a single livestock export official
- live animal exports not considered livestock under ASEL e.g. cats and dogs, birds, horses
- animal welfare issues covered under state and territory legislation
- development and implementation of animal welfare policies.
At the start of each financial year, the Inspector-General develops and publishes a work plan that outlines the reviews they will conduct over the next 12 months. The Inspector-General is responsible for initiating and conducting the reviews in the work plan. The Minister may also direct the Inspector-General to conduct a particular review. The Secretary of the department may also request the Inspector-General to conduct a particular review. However, the Inspector-General is not required to comply with this request.
How you can help
Stakeholders provide a valuable source of information for the IGAWLAE in the formation and content of reviews. Individual reviews often allow for public submissions and stakeholders are informed of these opportunities by e-mail. To stay informed, you can request to be added to the email distribution list by contacting the IGAWLAE office.
Public submissions are collected through the department’s Have Your Say web platform and direct submissions to the IGAWLAE email are also welcome.
All submissions can be made confidentially and anonymously if requested.
2024-25 work program
| Topic | Objective | Initiated by |
|---|---|---|
| Review of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s responses to significant livestock export incidents | The review aims to identify opportunities to strengthen arrangements and preparedness activities of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in responding to notifiable incidents, as defined in the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) Sections 5.6.5 and 6.11.1. It also seeks to address major and critical non-compliance within the approved Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS). This includes the department’s consideration of animal welfare. | Inspector-General |
| Preparation of livestock for export | To review the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s effectiveness in administering the legislation and standards, including the performance of functions and exercise of powers, in relation to the welfare of livestock in the export supply chain prior to departing Australia. | Inspector-General |