Animal Welfare
Animals used in research and for teaching purposes
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Animals Used in Research and for Teaching Purposes

Animals are used for many purposes within South Australian schools, universities and research establishments. Others are studied within their natural habitats. The purposes for which they are used and the impact on these animals themselves varies considerably. In all cases, it is essential that the individual animal is treated in humane and considerate manner.

In South Australia, no person may use animals for teaching, research or experimentation unless they hold a licence to do so issued by the Minister. In issuing licences, the responsible Minister must consider the person's expertise. Licences are conditional on Animal Ethics Committee approval and compliance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. In South Australia this Code of Practice is incorporated into the regulations subordinate to the The Animal Welfare Act 1985. As such failure to comply with the requirements of this Code is an offence against the regulations. If the breach results in suffering of an animal, the offender may be prosecuted for ill treatment incurring a further penalty.

Regulation and Controls

Research and teaching using animals may only be performed when they are essential:

  • to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding of humans and/or animals;
  • for the maintenance and improvement of human and/or animal health and welfare;
  • for the improvement of animal management or production;
  • to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding, maintenance or improvement of the natural environment; or
  • for the achievement of educational objectives.


Projects using animals may only be performed after a decision has been made that they are justified, weighing the predicted scientific or educational value of the research against the potential effects on the welfare of the animals.

Investigators and teachers must submit a written proposal to an Animal Ethics Committee for all animal projects which must take into account the expected value of the knowledge to be gained, the justification for the project and all ethical and animal welfare aspects taking into account the 3RS - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement as outlined in the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

In South Australia compliance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code) is mandatory and a legal requirement. Breaches of the Code can incur penalties under the The Animal Welfare Act 1985. The purpose of the Code is to ensure the ethical and humane care and use of animals in research and teaching. The principles set out in the Code are for guidance of investigators, teachers, institutions, Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) and all people involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

The Code emphasises the responsibilities of investigators, teachers and institutions using animals to ensure that the use of animals is justified, that the welfare of the animals is always considered, to promote the development of techniques that replace the use of animals, to minimise the numbers of animals used and to refine procedures to avoid pain or distress in animals.