4.1.1 - A vessel to be used for the export of livestock must comply with:

1. all Australian and relevant international vessel requirements including biosecurity requirements; and
2. all requirements for the safe carriage of livestock.

4.1.2 - If a vessel that is permanently equipped for the carriage of livestock is to be used:

1. a valid Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock, issued by AMSA, must be in force for the vessel; and
2. the Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock must specify the species of livestock to which it relates.

4.1.3 - If a vessel that is not permanently equipped for the carriage of livestock is to be used, the livestock must be carried in PLUs approved under Marine Order 43 and:

1. the arrangements for the carriage of PLUs on board the vessel must be approved by a surveyor appointed under section 190 of the Navigation Act 2012 in accordance with Marine Order 43; and
2. the PLU and the vessel must conform to the requirements set out in Appendix C.

4.1.4 - A vessel to be used for the export of livestock must have restraint facilities and veterinary equipment, including equipment for humane euthanasia, medicines, instruments and stores sufficient for the species and number of livestock carried. Restraint facilities and veterinary equipment must be inspected by the exporter prior to loading of livestock and any equipment not in good working condition must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible and before departure. A record of inspection confirming the above must be kept and retained by the exporter for at least 2 years after the date of export.

4.1.5 - Veterinary medicines, chemicals and equipment must be stored and used according to any applicable veterinary directions and/or manufacturers' recommendations.

Personnel

4.1.6 - All personnel handling and caring for livestock or who are otherwise responsible for animals during the voyage must be able to demonstrate an adequate level of experience and skill to allow them to undertake their duties.

4.1.7 - A competent stock handler must be appointed by the exporter to be responsible for the handling, management and welfare of the livestock. The exporter must ensure that loading facilities and livestock handling standards at the port of embarkation are satisfactory during unloading from the land transport, inspection and loading onto the vessel.

4.1.8 - An accredited stockperson who is employed or contracted by the exporter must be appointed to accompany each consignment of livestock for the duration of the voyage. The accredited stockperson must not be a member of the vessel's crew.

4.1.9 - Unless the exporter has approval under Standard 4.1.10, an AAV must accompany each consignment of livestock for the duration of the voyage in these circumstances:

1. if the voyage is expected to be an extended long-haul voyage; or
2. on voyages with pregnant livestock; or
3. if the vessel is travelling to or through the Middle East; or
4. if the vessel is new or has had a significant change or re-fit; or
5. if the consignment is the first consignment for the exporter; or
6. any other voyage when required by the department.

4.1.10 - An exporter may apply for an alternative arrangement to Standard 4.1.9 when providing a NOI under the Export Control Act 2020 and Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The alternative arrangement may be approved where the Secretary, or delegate, is satisfied that the international transport arrangements for the livestock are adequate for their health and welfare.

4.1.11 - Unless the exporter has approval under Standard 4.1.12, the accredited stockperson and the AAV cannot be the same person for any given voyage.

4.1.12 - An exporter may apply for an alternative arrangement to Standard 4.1.11 when providing a NOI under the Export Control Act 2020 and Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021. The alternative arrangement may be approved where the Secretary, or delegate, is satisfied that the international transport arrangements for the livestock are adequate for their health and welfare.

4.1.13 - Accredited stockperson(s) and the AAV must work with the vessel's master and crew to maintain the health and welfare of the livestock on board.

4.1.14 - There must be 1 competent stock handler per 3,000 (or part thereof) head of cattle and/or buffalo and 1 per 30,000 (or part thereof) head of sheep and/or goats on every voyage. The competent stock handler can be:

1. a crew member, provided they have the required skills and competencies and the exporter retains evidence of the information they attained to establish their skill and competency; or
2. an accredited stockperson.

4.1.15 - Sufficient personnel must be available both at loading and during the voyage to ensure that livestock management and welfare needs are addressed.

Planning

4.1.16 - A communication plan must be prepared in writing by the exporter, in consultation with all responsible parties before the loading of livestock for export begins. This plan must address:

1. roles and responsibilities of the exporter or nominated representative(s), the accredited stockperson(s), the AAV (if required), the master of the vessel, nominated officers and crew members, and government and port authorities; and
2. arrangements for regular meetings (including time, attendees and agenda) of key personnel before, during and after the voyage; and
3. details of reporting procedures during and on completion of the voyage.

4.1.17 - Loading arrangements must be prepared in writing by the exporter and must consider:

1. port facilities, including the available water supply rate; and
2. port and vessel security; and
3. environmental management, including weather; and
4. labour availability and competency.
5. [deleted]

4.1.18 - Contingency plans, including procedures for contacting the exporter, must be prepared in writing for each consignment that address:

1. mechanical breakdown of the vessel or functionality relevant to maintaining the livestock's health and welfare; and
2. a feed and/or water shortage during the voyage; and
3. the satisfactory tending, feeding and watering of the livestock in the event of a malfunction of the automatic feeding or watering systems, without compromising the safe navigation of the vessel; and
4. an outbreak of a disease during the voyage; and
5. adverse weather conditions during the voyage; and
6. rejection of the consignment by the overseas country; and
7. procedures for the humane recapture of livestock that escape during the loading process.

4.1.19 - Written instructions (these may take the form of standard operating procedures and/or the loading plan) for the handling and care of the livestock being exported, to maintain their health and welfare during the voyage, must be prepared by the exporter before loading of the vessel. These must address:

1. differences in handling, holding and management needs of each livestock species, number of animals, sex, class, reproductive status, weight, breed, origin, export preparations, transport history and importing country requirements; and
2. the quantity and type of feed to be provided, and frequency of feeding required, for the livestock during the voyage; and
3. if water cannot be supplied ad libitum due to circumstances outside of the exporter's control, the quantity of water to be provided and frequency of watering required during the voyage; and
4. pen and deck cleaning and maintenance (including bedding) requirements; and
5. management of livestock (including inspections, disease investigations and treatment) during the voyage; and
6. authority to destroy humanely any animal that is seriously ill or injured; and
7. relevant points in Standards 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.