LPA accredited producers are required to ensure livestock are managed in accordance with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and goats.
In collaboration with the red meat industry, ISC has implemented initiatives through the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program to address animal welfare and ensure animal welfare outcomes are continuously improved. Starting on 23 June 2025, a new tool called the Animal Welfare Management Plan (AWMP) will be available for producers to complete.
Ensure they have a documented Animal Welfare Management Plan (AWMP) which addresses how they are meeting the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and/or goats.
Have access to the latest version of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep or goats.
Ensure training in relation to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines is undertaken which involves completing the LPA Learning Animal Welfare module and generating a Certificate of Completion. The LPA Learning module can be accessed via the LPA dashboard under “Learning”.
Ensure staff involved in animal husbandry are familiar with the content of the current version of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and goats (as applicable).
Click on ‘Record Keeping’ at the bottom of the screen or go to ‘Account’ and select ‘Record Keeping’.
You will be taken to an online Record Keeping page.
Select the Animal Welfare Management Plan option.
Confirm your livestock and on-farm activities. This will ensure the questions are tailored specifically for your type of operation.
Read the relevant Australian Animal Welfare Standard for each section.
Answer with either multiple choice or free text answers. Guidance and links to resources are provided at each question to assist in answering.
At conclusion, an AWMP document will be created using your answers.
Australian livestock owners and handlers gain a more detailed understanding of the standards contained in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines and guidance on the actions needed to meet them.
The module demonstrates how LPA accredited producers’ on-farm animal welfare practices are being conducted in accordance with the standards contained in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines.
Livestock health and wellbeing are fundamental to the success and sustainability of every farm. Red meat consumers, both here in Australia and overseas, seek reassurance that livestock are cared for humanely and ethically.
Yes – but only if your LPA account has the correct species listed. The Animal Welfare Management Plan (AWMP) is tailored to ask questions relevant to the species you have on your property. If your LPA account doesn’t reflect the livestock you manage, you may be asked irrelevant questions – or miss important ones.
To make sure the AWMP reflects your farm accurately:
Keeping this information up to date ensures the AWMP is accurate and relevant to your livestock practices.
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines were developed to harmonise and streamline livestock welfare legislation in Australia, resulting in improved welfare in a practical way.
The standards provide responsibilities of livestock producers for animal welfare and explain the needs of livestock in relation to:
For cattle, the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines also cover:
For sheep, additional chapters address:
For goats, additional chapters cover:
Producer practices that contribute to improved animal welfare outcomes include:
Animal welfare was included in the LPA program on 1 October 2017. LPA-accredited producers must ensure animal welfare requirements are fulfilled by following the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and/or goats (as applicable).
ISC understands that most producers will complete the AWMP when seeking reaccreditation. To maintain the integrity of the LPA program, a transition period for including the new AWMP requirement in the LPA audit process has been established. The below timeline outlines the next steps:
23 June 2025:
1 September 2025:
Please note: If an LPA audit takes place before 1 September 2025 and an AWMP is not in place, the auditor will discuss the new requirement but not raise a major nonconformity.
You can easily edit or modify your AWMP at any time when changes occur on your property such as seasonal or environmental changes. Go to the Record Keeping section in your LPA account and select edit on your AWMP.
