Phase out of live sheep exports by sea

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Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program – Round 1 is now open. Grants totalling up to $2 million (GST exclusive) are available under Round 1.

Apply now via the Community Grant Hub.

Decision on how and when

The Australian Government has announced the export of live sheep by sea will end on 1 May 2028 together with the release of the government response to the report of the independent panel and a transition assistance package.

The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Act 2024 came into effect on 10 July 2024.

Trade can continue until 1 May 2028 without any additional restrictions such as caps or quotas. The prohibition will not apply to other livestock export industries, such as live cattle exports, nor will it apply to live sheep exports by air.

Transition plan

The government response to the report of the independent panel has set out a transition plan to support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea. It includes:

the implementation of the election commitment based on independent advice
the provision of certainty and time for the transition through a legislated end date to the trade on 1 May 2028
$139.7 million in assistance for sheep producers, supply chain businesses and communities to transition away from the trade
support for the implementation of recommendations through existing government policies and initiatives in key areas like labour and competition
ongoing management of and measures to enhance sheep standards
transition oversight by a Transition Advocate and continued monitoring and engagement with domestic stakeholders and trading partners
regulatory requirements for live sheep by sea exports remaining in place while trade can continue until 1 May 2028.

Further explanation of the transition plan in the context of the legislation is set out in the department’s submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture inquiry on the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024.

Transition assistance package

The Australian Government announced $107 million in transition assistance as part of the 2024–25 Budget.

On 15 October 2024, the government announced a further $32.7 million bringing the total commitment to $139.7 million over 5 years from 2024–25.

The transition assistance provides individuals, communities and businesses with the opportunity to be resilient, well positioned and ready when the trade ends in 2028.

For more information about the initiatives within the transition assistance package please see the transition plan implementation approach.

Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program – Round 1 (totalling up to $2 million GST exclusive)

Applications are now open to eligible peak industry bodies, Rural Research and Development Corporations, research providers and/or consultants specialising in fields such as agriculture, economics, markets or trade.

The Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program is part of the transition assistance package and is available to explore opportunities that maintain and develop:

interstate and overseas markets for Australian sheep products
markets for Australian agri-food in the Middle East and North Africa region.

To find out more visit Community Grants Hub.

Wellbeing and support services

We understand the phase out may be distressing for some people.

There are many existing online, phone and face-to-face resources available.

Producers and businesses can access Australian Government help in hard times and to prepare for change.

Call the Rural Financial Counselling Service in Western Australia (Rural West) on 1800 612 004 or contact enquiries@ruralwest.com.au to learn more.

You can also get assistance to make or update your farm business plan through the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program. We are jointly running the program across Australia with each state and territory.

Farmers and their partners in hardship can call the Farmer Assistance Hotline 13 23 16 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time) for information about Farm Household Allowance.

Social support and wellbeing services are available nationally including:

family support services
crisis counselling
advice and referrals.

The Western Australian Government also provides information about WA rural support services.

The Independent Panel

The former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt appointed an independent panel to consult with stakeholders to provide advice on how and when the government should phase out live sheep exports by sea.

Panel members were selected based on their diverse set of skills and experiences. This includes in agriculture, public administration, economics, and animal welfare.

From March to October 2023, the panel met with over 2,000 people and received over 4,100 submissions and survey responses. Consultation did not consider the merits or otherwise of the government’s policy to phase out live sheep exports by sea.

A summary of the consultation process and copies of information considered are available to view on the Have Your Say page.

The independent panel provided its report Independent Panel Report: Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea to the government on 25 October 2023.

The minister and panel thank all stakeholders who provided input into how and when the phase out could be implemented.

The panel members

Mr Phillip Glyde has 42 years’ experience as a senior executive in the Australian Public Service. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr Glyde has been devoted to matters of critical importance for the nation, navigating complex and often contested policy areas.

He brings a wealth of experience in advising governments, an economics background, and a strong understanding of the agricultural sector.

As the former Chief Executive Officer of the Murray Darling Basin Authority from 2016 to 2021, Mr Glyde delivered significant reforms in challenging circumstances including the Northern Basin review, the 2020 Basin Plan Evaluation and regionalisation of the MDBA.

Prior to leading the MDBA, Mr Glyde was the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Executive Director of ABARES.

He has worked on natural resource management, industry and environmental policies in a number of other departments, including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Environment, and Resources and Energy.

His overseas appointments include the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, and the United Kingdom Cabinet Office and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mr Glyde has a Bachelor of Natural Resources with Honours from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.

The Hon Warren Snowdon is a former federal minister with over 30 years’ experience in government. Having served more than three decades as a representative for the Northern Territory, Mr Snowdon brings significant understanding and connection to the Australian agriculture industry and rural and regional communities.

During his time in the Australian Parliament, Mr Snowdon held several ministerial portfolios, including being the first to take the role of Minister for Indigenous Health and was, for a time, also responsible for Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery. He was also Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of ANZAC.

Mr Snowdon served as Parliamentary Secretary and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary on matters including regional and urban development; employment, education and training; environment, sport and territories; transport and infrastructure (Northern Australia and the Territories); Northern Australia; and Indigenous affairs.

Before serving in the Australian Parliament, Mr Snowdon worked as a public servant including in the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Trade; as a teacher in the Northern Territory; and for a time was employed as a researcher at the Australian National University, before joining the Central Land Council in Alice Springs immediately prior to entering Parliament in 1987.

Ms Sue Middleton is a farmer and respected agribusiness leader.

Ms Middleton and her husband Michael have developed Moora Citrus. She is a Director on the Moora Citrus group of companies, which leads the WA citrus production and export program.

Ms Middleton has held extensive board and leadership roles in agriculture and regional development for over three decades. Her experience includes the Council of Australian Governments Reform Council, the National Regional Women’s Advisory Council, the Australian Research Council, and the National Rural Advisory Council. She has also been a Commissioner on the WA Agricultural Produce Commission.

She is a passionate advocate for regional Western Australia and has a deep understanding of government policy, agribusiness and the regional development sector.

Ms Middleton was the national winner of the Australian Rural Women’s Award in 2010, where she focussed on highlighting the importance of agriculture tackling greenhouse gas emissions. She won the Centenary Medal for services to regional and rural Australia in 2002 and was inducted into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018.

Ms Heather Neil is an experienced CEO and Executive Director with a deep understanding of community governance, animal welfare science and advocacy. She has extensive experience in public policy, regulation and reform in the area of social change.

Prior to this appointment, Ms Neil was Chief Executive Officer of RSPCA Australia for 12 years, taking a leading role in advocating for positive change for the welfare of animals in Australia. She also served as the Director of Stewardship at CropLife Australia for four years.

Ms Neil is currently the Executive Director at TrackSAFE Foundation, a charity focused on reducing deaths, injuries and near hits on Australia’s rail networks.