About the code of welfare for deer
The code applies to anyone who is responsible for farmed deer. Farmed deer includes trophy animals and those on game estates and parks.
Anyone who owns, or is in charge of, these animals needs to comply with the minimum standards in the code and the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
The code encourages all those responsible for deer to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care, and handling and to equal or exceed the minimum standards.
Adequately maintaining the welfare of deer requires experience, training, and the observance of high standards.
An updated code comes into effect on 8 September 2025
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) reviewed the existing code in consultation with deer industry representatives, including the deer industry body, farmers, transporters and veterinarians. An updated code was approved and published in August 2025. It will take effect on September 8, 2025. Until that date, the 2018 code of welfare continues to apply.
Current Code of Welfare: Deer (in effect until 8 September 2025) [PDF, 585 KB]
New code of welfare for deer (takes effect on 8 September 2025) [PDF, 805 KB]
Deer Code of Welfare NAWAC Final Code Report [PDF, 451 KB]
Changes in the updated code of welfare for deer
The revised code includes 60 new minimum standards and changes to 4 of the existing minimum standards.
The new and updated minimum standards relate to stockpersonship and animal handling, deer behaviour, feed and water, physical environment, husbandry practices, disease and injury management, on-farm euthanasia, and contingency planning.
Most farmers are already operating at the level of good practice set out in the updated code, meaning the changes are unlikely to require any significant changes in practice.
We've prepared a fact sheet and an information sheet with a summary of what is changing.
The deer code of welfare – fact sheet [PDF, 253 KB]
Summary of changes to the code of welfare for deer [PDF, 273 KB]
'Ask Reg' can help you find animal welfare requirements
Ask Reg is an online tool to help you find all the requirements for your animal or activity.
Selecting an animal or activity (such as dairy cattle or transporting) in Ask Reg will provide you with applicable:
- regulations
- guidance on those regulations
- minimum standards and recommended best practices from across the codes of welfare.
The Ask Reg tool will be updated on 8 September 2025 to reflect the changes in the updated Code of Welfare: Deer
