Animal Health in Australia
Veterinary medicines and animal health products include parasiticides, vaccines, antibiotics, nutritional supplements and analgesics that protect the health and welfare of animals.
These products are critical inputs to Australia’s $37.6 billion livestock industries. Producers rely on animal health products to prevent and treat diseases and conduct necessary animal husbandry and management practices. By optimising animal health, producers improve animal welfare, productivity, profitability, food safety and sustainability.
Similarly, animal medicines protect and treat Australia’s 28.7 million pets from illness, injury and disease. Responsible pet ownership relies on access to safe, affordable veterinary medicines and animal health products.
28.7 million pets
69% of households have a pet
$37.6 billion
Australia's livestock industry is worth $37.6 billion per year.
43% of market sales
Production animal products
57% of market sales
Companion animal products
Australia’s animal health industries provide veterinary medicines and animal health products that are essential to support the health and welfare of our pets, livestock and other animals within our care. Healthy animals provide benefits to all Australians.
Australia’s animal health industries include the leading companies supplying high-quality, safe and effective vaccines, parasiticides, antimicrobials, pain relief and other products. Innovative and highly regulated, consumers can have confidence in the quality and safety of veterinary medicines, facilitating many benefits. Community confidence is underpinned by an effective regulatory scheme. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority rigorously assesses each product prior to registration or sale in Australia.
This independent process confirms that there are no unacceptable risks to users, consumers, the environment or trade. Veterinary medicines and animal health products are essential inputs that support Australia’s $37.6 billion livestock industry and 28.7 million pets. Improving the health of our animals is often one of the most efficient mechanisms to addressing many of society’s current and emerging challenges. Whether it be addressing global food security, the emergence of zoonotic diseases, mitigating and responding to climate change impacts, meeting community expectations on animal health and welfare or facilitating personal health benefits through meaningful pet ownership experiences, animal health industries are working to supply new innovations to help meet these challenges. On behalf of our member companies, Animal Medicines Australia welcomes opportunities to inform policy making that reflect the benefits better animal health brings and celebrates the contribution towards more sustainable communities that will subsequently accrue.
Veterinary medicines and animal health products are essential inputs that support Australia’s $37.6 billion livestock industry and Australia's 28.7 million pets.
Veterinary medicines and animal health products are essential inputs that support Australia’s $37.6 billion livestock industry and Australia's 28.7 million pets.
The Animal Health Industry in Australia
How veterinary medicines protect and promote the sustainability and prosperity of Australia’s social, environmental and economic landscapes.