Review of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001

In December 2020 the Queensland Government committed to a review of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act). The review was aimed at aligning the Act with contemporary scientific knowledge, animal welfare practices and community expectations.

In 2021 the Department consulted with animal welfare stakeholders and the community on ways to strengthen the Act. Feedback informed the development of the Animal Care and Protection Amendment Act 2022 (the ACP Amendment Act), which was passed by Queensland Parliament on 2 December 2022 and became law on 12 December 2022.

The amendments modernise Queensland’s animal welfare laws and adopt recommendations of the independent inquiry into the management of retired racehorses (Martin Inquiry) and the Queensland Audit Office report on regulating animal welfare services.

Read more about changes to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.


© Queensland Government

How the department consulted

All parts of the Act were considered under the review. In April 2021 the Department released a discussion paper for a six week community consultation process to gather feedback on the review of the Act. Stakeholders and the community were able to complete a survey about issues raised in the discussion paper and/or upload a written submission. Consultation on the discussion paper closed in May 2021. More than 2300 submissions were received from organisations and individuals across a range of animal interest areas. View a summary of the feedback in the consultation outcomes report.

The community had a further opportunity to have their say during the Queensland Parliament’s consideration of the Animal Care and Protection Amendment Bill 2022, though the parliamentary committee process.

The Act review did not cover animal welfare provisions in the following separate legislation:

  • Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2009
  • Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld)
  • Exhibited Animals Act 2015
  • Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000
  • Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936

The Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012 (the Regulation), including the compulsory codes of practice, was not covered under the review but will be remade in 2023.

The implementation of the recommendations from the independent inquiry into the management of retired racehorses (Martin Inquiry) is progressing separately to the Act review. However, the Bill contains amendments that implement six of the recommendations from the Martin Inquiry.

More information

Read more about changes to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.

Contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.