Animals Australia is Australia's foremost national animal protection organisation.
We represent over 2 million individual members and supporters. Animals Australia, along with our global arm, Animals International, has an unprecedented track record in investigating and exposing animal cruelty and for conducting world-first strategic public awareness campaigns.
Animals Australia's vision is a world where kindness, compassion and respect extend to all living beings. We shine a light in the darkness and illuminate the pathway to a kinder world for all.
Our approach
- Provide animals with strong, ethical and effective representation
- Enshrine kindness, compassion and respect as core human values
- Heal the human/animal relationship by addressing the causes of animal suffering
- Alleviate suffering on the widest possible scale by reducing the number of animals in food systems and the suffering of animals who remain in food systems
- Contribute to building a strong, resilient and effective global animal protection movement
Our values
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Courage
- Innovation
- Inclusivity
- Commitment
Investigating and exposing cruelty
Our investigations have been featured on every current affairs program in the country including Four Corners, 60 Minutes, Today Tonight, A Current Affair, 7.30, The Project, Lateline and Landline. Investigations throughout the Middle East and South East Asia exposing cruelty in the live export trade resulted in the first ever suspension of live animal exports — to Egypt in 2006 then Indonesia in 2011 — and sweeping reforms to the operation of the entire industry.
An Animals Australia investigation into the factory farming of pigs in Australia which aired on 60 Minutes was a catalyst to the pig industry agreeing to restrict the use of pregnant sow stalls. And our ground-breaking investigations into 'live-baiting' in Australia's greyhound racing industry led to a government crack-down on the 'sport', dozens of trainers charged and jail time for perpetrators.
Lyn White AM is Animals Australia's Investigations Director and Director of Strategy. Recognised as one of Australia's foremost animal advocates and lobbyists, she has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contribution to the field of animal protection.
Meet some other members of our Management Team...
Formal structure
Animals Australia is a charity recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACN 617 080 387).
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The organisation’s legal structure is as a not-for-profit ‘Company Limited by Guarantee’, established to prevent and relieve the suffering of animals. It is overseen by a Board, the members of which offer a valuable
suite of professional skills across animal
protection, law, governance, finance,
strategic planning and advocacy. The current Chair of the Board is Tim Childs.
The Chief Executive Officer is delegated responsibility for the daily operations of Animals Australia. Our headquarters are in North Melbourne and we are funded entirely through community support; we receive no government funding. Our important work on behalf of animals is reliant on the generosity of our members and donors.
Our history
Animals Australia was formed in 1980. We were originally called the Australian Federation of Animal Societies (AFAS). Co-Founders Professor Peter Singer and Dr Christine Townend recognised the need to unite the many animal protection groups in Australia to provide a united and strong voice on behalf of animals.
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A primary activity of the first decade of 'AFAS' was lobbying for and then actively contributing to the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare (its 11 reports are still key documents).
In 1986 the federation introduced 'individual membership' in addition to the society membership structure, and also accepted New Zealand member groups; changing our name to Australian and New Zealand Federation of Animal Societies (ANZFAS).
In the late 1990s we reverted to Australian groups only, and the name 'Animals Australia' was adopted. For many years the organisation uniquely undertook two interwoven roles — as a peak body representing a large number of grass roots groups, and a campaign-focussed organisation working to raise community awareness of animal cruelty and promote reform.
In 2019 Animals Australia adopted a new Constitution, which allowed for additional Board seats and longer tenures, while also representing a shift away from the historical structure as a peak body for member groups. The updated Constitution better reflects how Animals Australia's function has evolved over the past 40 years and will help us achieve our strategic goals for animals in the years ahead.
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