As the livestock transport industry gears up for one of its busiest times of the year, there’s been an increased uptake in the new CoRLink National Animal Welfare Accreditation Scheme (NAWA).
Approximately 40 million sheep, cattle, and goats are transported annually in Australia.
Beyond the transport and logistics workforce, the sector supports more than 400,000 Australians directly and indirectly.
Livestock, Bulk & Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) President Wade Lewis said animal welfare and road safety for all drivers and road users during the busy festive period is critically important.
“Livestock operators are critical to delivering the protein Australians will enjoy during their festive feasts, as drivers enter the peak season for transport and logistics,” Lewis said.
“NAWA is proud to support small to large operators in delivering a safe, compliant, and professional transport industry, helping them build trust across the supply chain and meet the highest animal welfare standards.”
The new scheme has been widely adopted since its launch, and has had the support of major animal welfare groups and regulatory bodies, including RSPCA Australia and Animals’ Angels.
Developed by industry experts but independently administered and audited, NAWA ensures animal welfare is not just claimed, but actively managed, verified, and continuously improved through measurable standards.
Graeme Hoare, Compliance Manager of Martin’s Stock Haulage and NAWA Chair, said early feedback from operators highlights the practical benefits of NAWA in everyday operations.
“From what we’re hearing from operators who are already accredited, NAWA is really helping them create a consistent understanding of animal welfare responsibilities across their teams. It’s also giving them clearer processes to make decisions and communicate more effectively during livestock movements,” Hoare explained.
He added that for many operators, NAWA has replaced guesswork with clarity.“It creates certainty around what ‘best practice’ looks like – not just for animal welfare, but for drivers, schedulers, managers, and the broader supply chain.
“Transport operators don’t need more paperwork, they need systems that actually work and deliver value and improved social licence.
Hoare continued, “NAWA was built to sit in the cab, the depot, and the boardroom – not on the shelf.
“Animal welfare is no longer just a moral issue – it’s a commercial, reputational, and regulatory one.
“The operators joining now are shaping the future standard of livestock transport in Australia.”