Report Cruelty Donate

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

better than live export hero banner
Priority issue
On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…
Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

take action live sheep export alternate
Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful
Read the media release

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us

For individuals

For businesses

National events

An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Choose Wisely

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

RSPCA Approved Standards

AWS2025 Website Image 2000x2000 v2
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
Animal ethics and animal welfare…
Learn more

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
Subscribe now! Keep up to date with the latest animal welfare news
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Media centre
  4. RSPCA welcomes new code on cosmetic…

The RSPCA has today welcomed the release of a new Code of Practice to guide the Australian cosmetics industry on advertising claims relating to the animal testing status of cosmetic products. 

The Code was developed by cosmetics industry peak body, Accord Australasia, following new laws introduced by the Australian Government in 2019 restricting the use of animal testing data to support the introduction of new chemical ingredients in Australian cosmetic products. 

RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell said the ongoing risk that chemicals used in cosmetics had been tested on animals was a key concern for Australian consumers. 

“While the new laws further limit the use of animal-tested ingredients in cosmetics, they do not completely prevent it - hence the importance of an industry Code to provide guidance to cosmetic companies and retailers on what advertising claims they should and should not be making.   

“The RSPCA has been working hard for a number of years, alongside our international counterparts, to end the use of animal testing in the cosmetics industry, globally. 

“More and more Australians are looking to select cosmetics they can trust have not been tested on animals.  

“The Code is a great step towards making it clear, to industry and consumers alike, what the best practice animal welfare advertising claims look like.  

“We would like to acknowledge Accord for their work in achieving this, and we thank them for taking onboard our comments during the development of the Code.”   

The RSPCA continues to encourage consumers to look out for the ‘bunny’ logos of established certification bodies Choose Cruelty Free and Cruelty Free International.

subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.