As the livestock industry prepares for the busiest time of year leading into Christmas, dozens of Australian transport operators are adopting the CoRLink National Animal Welfare Accreditation Scheme (NAWA).
NAWA streamlines legislation, codes of practice, and guidelines to create a unified national framework for animal welfare compliance.
Approximately 40 million sheep, cattle, and goats are transported annually in Australia, and public and market scrutiny of livestock transport continues to increase.
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,” he 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.”
Since its launch in October, NAWA has been widely adopted, with the support of major animal welfare groups and regulatory bodies, including RSPCA Australia and Animals’ Angels.
Major livestock operators who are seeking a credible, workable, and cost-effective solution, have taken early steps to strengthen animal welfare practices within their organisations by adopting a best-practice approach.
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 said.
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.
“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.”
For more information and to apply for accreditation, visit.
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