LAW5458 Animal law
Faculty of Law
LAW5458 Animal law is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law. It isn't offered in 2026. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Not offered
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW5458
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After LAW5458
No unit lists LAW5458 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Legal Studies students (L4004, L5004, L6013) you must have completed LAW5000 or LAW5081
and
For Juris Doctor students (L6005), you must have completed 72 credit points of study.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit examines the ways in which Australian law defines and regulates the control, treatment and welfare of non-human animals. Significant laws, regulatory systems, and contemporary policy debates related to human uses of animals in specific contexts will be critically examined. These may include: animals in agriculture; the live export industry; 'ag gag' laws; animals in science, research and education; companion animals; and animals in the wild. While the primary focus of the unit will be upon the law in Australia, where relevant international and comparative developments will be considered.
Offerings in 2026
The 2026 handbook lists no offerings for LAW5458.
Assessment
- Class participationDemonstration10%
- Research assignmentWritten50%
- Written assessmentWritten40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate specialised knowledge and understanding of the law, policies and objectives that constitute and underlie the regulatory schemes affecting animal welfare outcomes and management in Australia.
- 2
Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex legal and policy issues relating to the balance between commercial stakeholder interests, ethics, animal welfare objectives and the public interest in the management of human - animal relationships.
- 3
Research independently into relevant domestic and international materials on the regulation of animals in distinct contexts, demonstrating knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods.
- 4
Interpret and transmit legal knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences regarding rights and responsibilities under the regulatory regimes that relate to the treatment of animals in the contexts studied.
- 5
Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to solve complex problems relating to policy making and regulation in the field of animal law.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Where it fits
LAW5458 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5458?
LAW5458 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5458 offered?
LAW5458 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.
Does LAW5458 have an exam?
No. LAW5458 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include LAW5458?
LAW5458 is part of Public sector governance and regulation.