The Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA) has released the 2026 Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Goats.

The standards set minimum welfare requirements for goats, while the guidelines provide practical advice on meeting those requirements across different production systems.

The updated document is designed for industry‑wide adoption and applies to anyone responsible for keeping or managing goats.

What’s new in this update

The 2025-26 review of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Goats was the most comprehensive review since the industry document was first published in 2016.

The project was led by AHA and involved forming a working group with veterinary experts, industry leaders and experienced producers across all goat enterprises. This diverse expertise gave rise to standards and guidelines that optimise goat welfare whilst accommodating to the needs and perspectives of the entire sector.

The new version of the standards and guidelines includes a dedicated fibre chapter. Here, angora and cashmere goat owners can easily locate best-practice welfare standards and guidelines for their goats.

In addition to the new fibre chapter, 28 amendments have been made to existing standards and guidelines. There are also three new standards and eight new guidelines covering topics such as husbandry and handling practices, pregnancy management, housing and pain relief.

High welfare standards foster long-term success

The goat industry is committed to leading the way in animal welfare, proactively setting and raising standards for the benefit of goats and goat producers.

GICA recognises the importance of animal welfare in fostering long-term success for producers. Responsible livestock management starts with good welfare practices because the welfare of a producer’s goats affects the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the entire Australian goat herd.

The standards and guidelines apply to everyone with a responsibility for goats, from extensively harvested rangeland goats through to small-scale and hobby farming enterprises.

A collaborative industry review

The 2025–26 review was delivered through a partnership between GICA and Animal Health Australia (AHA), supported by a dedicated working group.

The review combined input from veterinary experts, industry leaders and experienced producers representing all goat enterprises. This ensured that updated advice reflects both current science and on‑farm experience.

This collaborative approach has helped produce welfare standards and guidelines that are contemporary, practical and relevant across the full range of goat production systems.

Download a copy now

The 2026 Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Goats are available to download from Australian Welfare Standards and Guidelines.

For details about GICA’s approach to animal welfare, visit GICA.