The short answer
Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021: ending the international greyhound trade explained
The Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021 is a private senator's bill introduced by Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi on 1 September 2021. It amends the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 to prohibit the export and import of greyhounds for racing, breeding and commercial purposes. The bill aims to end Australia's participation in the international trade of greyhounds for the racing industry, which animal welfare organisations have criticised for the treatment of dogs exported to countries with weaker animal welfare standards. The bill is currently before the Senate.
This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.
The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.
Evidence review
What the bill proposes
The Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021, introduced by Senator Mehreen Faruqi of the Australian Greens on 1 September 2021, proposes a straightforward prohibition: it would amend two sets of customs regulations to ban the export and import of greyhounds for racing, breeding, and commercial purposes.
The bill targets the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. These are delegated legislation made under the Customs Act 1901 that list goods whose export or import is prohibited or restricted. The bill would add greyhounds exported or imported for racing, breeding or commercial purposes to these prohibited lists.
The bill scopes the prohibition to commercial purposes, distinguishing between the international trade in racing greyhounds and the personal movement of pet greyhounds. A person moving overseas with their family pet greyhound would not be caught by the prohibition.
The bill is notable for its longevity — introduced in September 2021, it has been before the Senate for nearly five years as of mid-2026. This reflects both the persistence of animal welfare advocates and the slow progress of private senators' bills through Parliament.
Evidence review
The greyhound racing industry and animal welfare
Greyhound racing is legal and regulated in several Australian states, but the industry has been the subject of sustained animal welfare criticism. Multiple inquiries — in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania — have documented widespread animal welfare problems, including mass greyhound killings ('wastage'), injuries during racing, and poor living conditions.
The New South Wales greyhound racing industry was briefly banned in 2016 following a Special Commission of Inquiry that found systemic animal cruelty, but the ban was reversed by the government later that year. Other states have introduced tighter regulation but have not banned the industry. The ACT banned greyhound racing in 2018.
The export of Australian greyhounds to overseas racing jurisdictions — particularly in parts of Asia — has been a specific concern for animal welfare groups. Animals Australia, the RSPCA, and the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds have documented cases of Australian-bred greyhounds being exported to countries with weak or non-existent animal welfare protections, where they may face poor conditions, injury, or slaughter at the end of their racing careers.
Evidence review
The regulatory framework: customs regulations
The Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 and Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 are delegated legislation made under section 112 of the Customs Act 1901. They list categories of goods that cannot be exported from or imported into Australia, or that require a permit or meet specified conditions.
The regulations already prohibit or restrict the export and import of live animals in certain circumstances — for example, exports of native Australian wildlife are regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and there are specific export restrictions relating to animal welfare.
The bill would add a new category to these regulation schedules: greyhounds, when exported or imported for racing, breeding or commercial purposes. The prohibition would be enforced by the Australian Border Force at Australia's borders.
Evidence review
The political dynamics
Senator Faruqi has been a consistent advocate for animal welfare in the Senate, and this bill reflects the Greens' policy of opposing greyhound racing. The bill is one of several private members' bills on animal welfare that Senator Faruqi has introduced.
The greyhound racing industry has political support in several states, particularly where the industry provides employment and revenue. State governments in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland have resisted calls for a ban, preferring a regulatory approach. The Commonwealth government has generally left greyhound racing regulation to the states, citing the division of powers.
The bill's long gestation — over four years before the Senate as of mid-2026 — reflects the political difficulty of animal welfare legislation that intersects with state-regulated industries and the procedural challenges facing private senators' bills. As of July 2026, the bill has not been debated.
Evidence review
Implications and next steps
If passed, the bill would end the commercial export of Australian greyhounds for racing and breeding. The practical effect would depend on the volume of the trade — animal welfare organisations have documented the export of greyhounds to Macau, Vietnam and other jurisdictions, but the precise numbers are not systematically collected.
The bill would not affect domestic greyhound racing, which is regulated by state and territory governments. Its effect is limited to the international movement of greyhounds for commercial purposes, under the Commonwealth's constitutional power over trade and commerce with other countries (section 51(i)) and external affairs (section 51(xxix)).
As of July 2026, the bill remains before the Senate. It would require government support to progress beyond the Senate, given the government's control of the legislative programme. Its primary function may be to maintain parliamentary and public attention on the issue of greyhound welfare and international animal trade.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
Does this bill ban greyhound racing in Australia?
No. The bill only prohibits the export and import of greyhounds for commercial purposes — it does not affect domestic greyhound racing, which is regulated by state and territory governments. The Commonwealth's constitutional power in this area is limited to international trade.
Can I still travel overseas with my pet greyhound?
Yes. The bill targets commercial export and import for racing and breeding purposes. It is not intended to prevent individuals from travelling with their companion animals. The distinction between commercial and personal movement would be determined by the circumstances of each case.
Why has this bill been before Parliament since 2021?
Private senators' bills are only debated if the government allocates parliamentary time. They may remain on the Notice Paper for years without being called on. The government has not prioritised greyhound export legislation, reflecting the political sensitivity of animal welfare issues and the Commonwealth's limited constitutional role in domestic racing regulation.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
- Bill homepage — Parliament of Australia — checked 2026-07-17
- Bill text — Parliament of Australia (ParlInfo) — checked 2026-07-17
Review trigger: Review if the bill passes, is amended, lapses, or if the government introduces its own legislation on animal export welfare.
Archive note: This article reviews a private senator's bill as introduced on 1 September 2021. The bill has been before the Senate for several years without debate.
Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.