Resources
Standard operating procedures
To support schools to apply for VSAEC approval to teach with animals, the department has developed a series of standard operating procedures that include basic guidance for teachers and students on the care and handling requirements of certain animal species.
Cattle
- Assessing respiration rate of cattle
- Cattle handling and restraint
- Condition scoring cows
- Drenching cattle
- Fitting ear tags to identify calves
- Locomotion assessment of cattle
- Measuring rectal temperature of cattle
- Measuring skin temperature of cattle using non-contact infrared thermometers
- Mustering, yarding and drafting cattle
- Showing cattle
- Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of cattle
- Weighing cattle using automatic scales
- Weighing cattle
Sheep
- Backline treatment of sheep
- Collection of faecal samples for bulk worm egg count analysis of sheep and lambs
- Drenching sheep
- Ear tagging sheep
- Foot paring sheep
- Mustering, yarding and drafting sheep
- Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of sheep
- Weighing sheep
Goats
Fowl
Pigs
VSAEC application forms
Local policy template for dogs at school
The School Policy Templates Portal has a school policy template on bringing dogs to school. It is not mandatory for schools to have a policy about dogs on school grounds but some schools may wish to have one to communicate with their community on the rules applicable in their school.
Refer to the School Policy Templates Portal: Dogs at school (staff login .
Victorian codes of practice for animal welfare (Agriculture Victoria)
Victorian codes of practice for animal welfare detail the recommended minimum standards and practices for the keeping of a wide range of species and animal related activities. These are available from the Agriculture Victoria website – Victorian codes of practice for animal .
Wildlife in schools permit (Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action)
General school authorisation permits for specified wildlife species are available to government and Catholic schools. Independent schools must apply to obtain a free permit. Permits can be obtained at Wildlife in .
Schools with wildlife must also comply with the Australian animal welfare standards and .
Using fish and aquatic species
- Aquatic Animal – Overarching Principles, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
- Aquarium industries – Fish website
Other resources from Animal Welfare Victoria
Reviewed 08 January 2026