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. Time for bi-partisan support on…

RSPCA Australia has called on the Coalition Government, Greens and independent MPs and Senators to support the Ethical Cosmetics Bill 2016, to be introduced today by the Australian Labor Party.

RSPCA Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, has called on the Minister for Rural Health, Senator Fiona Nash to guarantee passage of the Bill, which will end the use of live animals in cosmetics testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.

“This Bill mirrors the stringent regulation in the EU, which also prohibits the sale of cosmetics which have been tested on animals,” Dr Jones said.

“RSPCA Australia has been consulting with all political parties on this issue for several years, and we have overwhelming support from Australians.

“During the RSPCA’s global Makeover the World campaign, over 418,000 emails were sent by consumers to major cosmetic companies demanding an end to animal testing.

“Feedback from that campaign convinced us Australians are shocked at the thought animal testing on cosmetics is still carried out. They want to be confident their cosmetics are produced humanely.

“Yet, our research indicates that an estimated 27,000 animals are still being used for cosmetic testing around the world every year.

“RSPCA Australia will be approaching the Coalition in the coming weeks to argue that the Bill should have bi-partisan support, and we know we will have the majority of Australians behind us.”

Australians’ views were supported in November 2014, when the following multi-party motion was passed by the Australian Senate.

(i)   the majority of Australians believe the use of animal testing to evaluate safety of cosmetic products and ingredients is unnecessary, and
(ii)   the regulatory framework in Australia for chemicals, including cosmetics, is complex; and
(b)   urges the Government to aspire to eliminate unnecessary animal test methods to evaluatesafety of cosmetic products and ingredients.

“This is one issue where everyone should agree, and party politics should be put aside,” said Dr Jones.

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.