THE New South Wales Government introduced a Bill to Parliament yesterday to establish the state’s first independent Office of Animal Welfare.

The move delivers on an election commitment to strengthen transparency and accountability of the organisations responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws in NSW.

The Bill will establish a new statutory Office of Animal Welfare to oversee the performance, and review public funding provided to RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW, that is used for enforcement activities and ensure it is used in line with community expectations.

In the 2026-27 Budget, these organisations were allocated $12.8 million in government funding to carry out animal welfare enforcement functions under the NSW  Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

In a statement the NSW Government said the Office of Animal Welfare was part of broader reform to modernise the state’s animal welfare laws and ensure effective protections for animals, and will enhance community confidence by:

• Delivering independent advice, reviews and recommendations related to animal welfare and to the organisations entrusted with animal welfare enforcement powers
• Making recommendations on issues relating to enforcement funding for approved charitable organisations to the NSW government
• Receiving, investigating and reporting on complaints from the public relating to enforcement actions by these organisations
• Promoting best-practice compliance and enforcement across the animal welfare sector through greater coordination, information sharing and performance oversight.

The Office is likely to sit within the Premier’s Department portfolio and report to the Minister for Agriculture with responsibility under POCTA.

This Bill delivers the final stage of the Government’s reform of animal welfare, to modernise its legal framework, its operations and its oversight. At the same time the government has increased annual funding to the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League for enforcement action.

Among the reforms are:

• Plans to prevent individuals convicted of serious animal cruelty offences from keeping animals or working with animals
• Increased funding for RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW to expand and enhance their animal welfare enforcement activities
• Proposed improved animal welfare regulations and enforcement powers through the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Enforcement and Operational Powers) Bill 2026.

NSW agriculture minister Tara Moriarty said the new Office will ensure animal welfare enforcement functions are carried out effectively and consistently to strengthen public confidence in this important service for the community.

“This reform will ensure there is clear, independent oversight to support better outcomes for animals and the community,” she said.

 

Source: NSW Govt