Schools

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, schools must be licensed if they wish to use animals as part of their teaching of scientific concepts, and must use an Animal Ethics Committee to review this animal use. The keeping of classroom pets is not considered to require licensing or AEC oversight, nor is the practice of animal husbandry as authorised by a Code of Practice (refer to the Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice page). A "school" in this context is defined by the Act in reference to other legislation - as a registered school within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006; or as a children's service within the meaning of the Children's Services Act 1996.

Due to the structure of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, it is able to obtain a single licence to cover all Government schools. Independent schools and CECV schools, however, must apply to the Bureau of Animal Welfare for their own individual licences (Word 154KB).

DEECD has established a Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) with representatives from all 3 school sectors, and made it available to Catholic and Independent schools. The VSAEC assesses applications to use animals in teaching, and provides additional advice and guidelines. The DEECD Care and Use of Animals in Victorian Schools website (external site) should be accessed for further information. Alternatively, enquiries may be directed to the executive officer of the Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee at animalethics@edumail.vic.gov.au.