The Australian Parliament has passed laws to end live sheep exports by sea by 1 May 2028. The department will continue to regulate the export of live sheep by sea during the transition to ensure compliance with all requirements, including animal welfare.
Assistance for the sheep supply chain to transition
There’s a transition plan and a $139.7 million transition assistance package.
The transition assistance provides individuals, communities and businesses with the opportunity to be resilient, well positioned and ready when the trade ends in 2028.
Prepare for the transition
Watch the video outlining the phase out of live sheep exports by sea, and transition assistance options.
Australia will phase out live sheep exports by sea, by 1 May 2028.
There is a $139 million package for sheep producers and supply chain businesses to help transition away from the export of live sheep by sea.
Joint design of programs with industry will make sure the right programs are available in the right areas, to support decisions for your business.
Supporting of community wellbeing is also part of the transition package and the program includes investments, that will grow the sheep processing sector, and in turn help the industry to adjust through the transition to other opportunities.
Australia will continue to be a reliable supplier of food and agricultural exports to the world and build our agricultural relationships with trading partners.
We will continue to regulate the export of live sheep by sea during the transition to ensure compliance with all requirements, including animal welfare.
We encourage you to prepare, so you are ready when the trade ends in 2028.
Contact us
To contact us please email livesheep.phaseout@aff.gov.au