The Exhibited Animals Protection Regulation 2005 was subject to staged repeal under the requirements of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989. Under this Act, most regulations are subject to automatic repeal every five years. Regulations are generally reviewed, and allowed to lapse, or are remade with or without amendment. 

The Exhibited Animals Protection Regulation 2010 commenced on 1 September 2010 after online notification on the NSW Legislation website on 20 August 2010. The Regulation is made under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986. The objectives of this Act are to regulate the exhibition of animals at zoos, marine parks, circuses and other establishments where animals are displayed to the public, to ensure that the welfare of the animals is protected, that public safety is maintained and that exhibitions provide educational and conservation value.

The 2010 Regulation helps achieve the objects of the Act by prescribing display establishments and animals that must be authorised, standards for authorised exhibitors, and requirements for authorities. It also prescribes requirements for the acquisition, keeping, exhibiting, and transfer of exhibited animals. The Regulation includes provisions for the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, bonds for the display of dolphins and whales, and provisions for seized animals.

The draft Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) (216kb PDF) were publicly exhibited between 15 June and 13 July 2010. Thirteen submissions were received which supported the draft Regulation. A report on the outcomes of public consultation (78kB PDF) provides an update on the submissions received and the changes made to the draft Regulation as a result.

The final Regulation can be viewed on the NSW Legislation website of the NSW Parliamentary Counsel at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au.