Animal welfare

If you want to use an animal for scientific research or other purposes in the Northern Territory (NT), you must get approval and be registered.

Scientific research means an experiment, procedure, test or study involving an animal.

It includes subjecting an animal to surgical, medical, physiological, biological, chemical or physical treatment.

You must make sure any animal you use receives a standard level of care under the Act.

For more information, read the Animal Protection Act 2018 and Regulations.

Other purposes

Examples of using an animal for scientific purposes include:

• teaching
• performing field trials
• carrying out environmental studies
• research to create or breed a new animal line where impact on welfare is unknown
• testing products
• producing biological products.

When you don't need to register

You don't need to register if animals are part of a childcare centre, pre-school or educational facility unless they’re used or intended to be used for teaching purposes.

Before you apply

You must get approval from an animal ethics committee (AEC). You can apply through Charles Darwin University's AEC.

You should also read the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Find the code on the Australian Government's National Health and Medical Research Council website.

How to apply

Find out how to apply for registration to use animals in teaching or research.