2026-2027 Pre-Budget Submission
Submission overview
Currently, Australia lacks a fit-for-purpose national framework for developing and implementing animal welfare policy and standards. As a result, progress on national standards has stalled, state-based inconsistencies have grown, and animal-based industries face increasing risks to social licence, investment certainty, trade, and market access.
While the Australian Government has committed to renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and expanding the role of the Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports, existing funding and structures are insufficient to address the underlying systemic challenges. This submission calls for a modest additional investment of $85 million over four years (including $9 million already committed) to restore national leadership, strengthen regulatory coordination, support industry sustainability, and build community confidence. The submission also proposes establishing a national Commission for Animal Welfare and expanding Deductible Gift Recipient status for animal advocacy charities to unlock philanthropic support. These reforms are grounded in existing government commitments, Productivity Commission recommendations, and agreed national principles.
Read our submission
In this submission, the Alliance for Animals makes a pre-budget submission proposing an investment in animal welfare of $85 million over four years.