NSW Department of Education and Communities

The Technology (Mandatory) Years 7-8, Agricultural Technology Years 7–10 and Stage 6 Agriculture syllabuses all include outcomes and related content that require students to understand and use good animal welfare practices.

Students studying Technology (Mandatory), who undertake design projects involving Animal Production Technologies, should consider the needs of animals and appropriate handling and feeding techniques before applying them in their design projects.

Students studying Agricultural Technology Years 7–10 and Stage 6 Agriculture must be provided with opportunities to learn good animal welfare practices and to develop their skills so that they become competent in animal handling and management.

Good animal welfare is not only reflected in teaching programs but in the teachers' attitudes to animals, made obvious by how they manage the animals day-to-day. Teachers are role models for students, if teachers show respect and consideration for animals then students are more likely to develop respect and consideration for animals.

A series of teaching resources, Animal Welfare in Agriculture , have been developed by agriculture teachers and officers of the Curriculum K-12, Technology unit, to support the Agricultural Technology Years 7–10 syllabus. These will soon be available on the Animals in schools web site.

Animal welfare policy

The  Animal welfare policy – schools outlines the current Department of Education and Training policy relating to the use of animals and incidents involving animals.

Animals in schools web site

The  Animals in schools web site is designed to assist teachers understand the legislation that relates to animal welfare in NSW. This web site includes information about:

• Compliance
• Animal species that are considered suitable for use in schools and are commonly used for teaching purposes
• Legislation, guidelines and documents that describe how animals should be used.