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LAW5458 · Animal law

Official Handbook

2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Faculty of Law

Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTC

Overview

This unit examines the ways in which Australian law defines and regulates the control, treatment and welfare of non-human animals. Significant laws, regulatory systems, and contemporary policy debates related to human uses of animals in specific contexts will be critically examined. These may include: animals in agriculture; the live export industry; 'ag gag' laws; animals in science, research and education; companion animals; and animals in the wild. While the primary focus of the unit will be upon the law in Australia, where relevant international and comparative developments will be considered.

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
1Class participationDemonstration10%
2Research assignmentWritten50%
3Written assessmentWritten40%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

prohibitions

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge and understanding of the law, policies and objectives that constitute and underlie the regulatory schemes affecting animal welfare outcomes and management in Australia.
  2. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex legal and policy issues relating to the balance between commercial stakeholder interests, ethics, animal welfare objectives and the public interest in the management of human - animal relationships.
  3. Research independently into relevant domestic and international materials on the regulation of animals in distinct contexts, demonstrating knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods.
  4. Interpret and transmit legal knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences regarding rights and responsibilities under the regulatory regimes that relate to the treatment of animals in the contexts studied.
  5. Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to solve complex problems relating to policy making and regulation in the field of animal law.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.

ActivityDuration
Workshops24 hours

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