Animals Are Not Ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment or abuse in any other way.

PETA Australia
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
  • Action Centre
  • Campaigns
  • Living
  • News
  • About
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Australia
  • EMAIL SIGN-UP
  • DONATE NOW
    • VANGUARD SOCIETY
    • PETA PRESENTS
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK
    • MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
    • GIFTS IN WILLS
PETA Search Icon
Latest Figures: Animals Used in Laboratory Research and Teaching in Australia

Latest Figures: Animals Used in Laboratory Research and Teaching in Australia

News / Latest Figures: Animals Used in Laboratory Research and Teaching in Australia
6 December 2021

Right now, in laboratories all over Australia, terrified dogs, cats, rabbits, piglets, primates, and other animals are languishing inside cages or being used in invasive, painful research procedures, often ending in their deaths.

Many of us don’t realise just how many species are involved, and, because of gross under-reporting, none of us knows exactly how many thinking, feeling individuals are suffering.

In fact, until now, the most recent year for which stats were available was 2016.

Thanks, though, to a new report from Humane Research Australia, we now have a better idea of the number of animals used for experiments in Australia – at least in 2018 – and it paints a grim picture of speciesism and bad science.

A photo of a mouse in a lab.

More Than 10 Million Animals Used

The latest available figures show that in 2018, 2,253,943 animals were used in Victoria, 2,253,943 were used in New South Wales, 255,015 in Tasmania, and 740,458 in Western Australia.

In Queensland, 4,545,288 animals were used during the state’s reporting period (which is the 2018–19 fiscal year).

Numbers of animals used in laboratories by state

Reporting Is Woefully Inadequate

Unfortunately, Australia does not maintain a national system to collate statistics concerning animal use, meaning there are huge gaps in reporting – and public knowledge. As a result, figures for 2018 are not currently available for South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, or the Northern Territory.

However, statistics from previous years indicate that South Australia used an average of 315,822 animals per year, the Australian Capital Territory used an average of 122,628, and the Northern Territory used an average of 160,792.

Therefore, the approximate total number of animals used in Australia in 2018 is around 10,704,499.

However, the fact that we have only incomplete data from 2018 highlights just how overdue – and vital – a federal government–controlled reporting system is.


A monkey at the National Primate Breeding and Research Centre, Hazelwood South VIC, Australia
A monkey at the National Primate Breeding and Research Centre, Hazelwood South VIC, Australia.

Animal Testing Is Bad Science

Ethical arguments aside, using animals in experiments is simply bad science. There are significant differences between humans and other species, rendering most experiments scientifically irrelevant.

The National Institutes of Health in the US – the world’s foremost funder of medical research – notes that 95% of all new medications that are shown to be safe and effective in animal tests fail in human trials because they don’t work or are dangerous. Not only that – of the small percentage of drugs approved for human use, half end up being relabelled because of severe and even deadly side effects not identified in animal tests.

Studies show that 90% of basic research, most of which involves animals, fails to lead to human treatments.

“Ask experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: ‘Because the animals are like us.’ Ask experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals, and the answer is: ‘Because the animals are not like us.’ Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction.” – Prof Charles R Magel

Animal tests are also costly – breeding, feeding, housing, and, eventually, disposing of animals isn’t cheap.

Imagine if all the energy, time, and money spent on archaic animal tests were funnelled into creating and advancing modern, relevant innovations, such as human clinical and epidemiological studies, human tissue– and cell–based research methods, cadaver use, computational models, and technology like organs-on-chips.

You Can Help Keep Animals out of Laboratories

PETA and other animal rights groups are working hard to end animal use in laboratories. Here’s how you can help:

  • Buy only cruelty-free products. If you aren’t sure whether your favourite brands drip chemicals into rabbits’ eyes, check out PETA US’ Global Beauty Without Bunnies
  • Speak out against the forced swim test. This cruel and unnecessary experiment is still being used by Australian and New Zealand universities.
  • Adopt an animal rescued from a laboratory. Organisations such as the Liberty Foundation Australia make it possible for compassionate people to take advantage of “right to release” laws so that they can adopt animals formerly used in laboratories (who would otherwise be killed). From mice and guinea pigs to dogs and cats, these animals are waiting for loving homes.
  • Spread the word. If you’re surprised to learn that over 10 million animals suffer in Australian labs every year, your friends, family, and followers probably will be, too! Share what you’ve learned, and help shed light on the darkest places.

Finally, please sign our petition urging the Australian government and national research councils to implement a policy that mandates an end to animal experimentation and provides a clear strategy and timeline for achieving this goal.

photo shows a beagle sitting in a cage with a tray with puppies behind her.

SIGN THE PETITION NOW

Please join PETA’s “Save Our Skin” Challenge right now!

Donate Now

Recent Press Hits

  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    PETA Urges Councils to Go Vegan for Climate Resilient 
  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Pamplona 2025: What to Expect at the Running of the Bulls
  • Gradient background with a white rabbit silhouette and the text ‘PETA.’
    Exposé of Indian Laboratory Reveals Bloodied Dogs and Pigs

Get PETA Updates

Sign me up for the following e-mail:
Our collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information is guided by the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles. More information about our privacy policies and practices is available in our privacy policy. That policy also details how you may access, seek correction of and pursue complaints regarding the personal information we hold about you. If you have any queries about these procedures or any aspect of our work, please contact us on (08) 8556 5828 or at [email protected] or write to us at PO Box 20308, World Square, Sydney NSW 2002. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mails unless you explicitly opt out here.
PETA Fist Logo

Connect with PETA

  • Facebook Icon, PETA International
  • Instagram Icon, PETA International
  • Youtube Icon, PETA International

PETA International Logo

Mailing address:
PO Box 20308 World Square Sydney NSW 2002 ACN – 128209923

Info

  • Contact Us
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Donate Now
  • Subscribe to E-News
  • Bequests

Services

  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • © 2025 PETA Australia Pty Ltd. Read our full policy.

International Sites

  • PETA US
  • PETA France
  • PETA Netherlands
  • PETA Germany
  • PETA India
  • PETA UK
  • PETA Asia
  • 亚洲善待动物组织
  • PETA Latino

PETA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all other indigenous peoples.

Registered address: PETA Australia Pty Ltd, 219 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville. SA, 5031