At the Working Animals Federation of Australia, we passionately believe that all people have the right to equal access, inclusion and dignity and to live full and active lives.

The Working Animals Federation of Australia is Australia’s leading authority on working animal matters. Working animals include any species or breed of animal with a job. This may be as an Assistance Animal, Therapy Animal, Detection Animal or Education Animal. 

First and foremost, membership of the Working Animals Federation of Australia enables working animal enthusiasts and professionals to join a community dedicated to working animals. We facilitate collaboration and sharing of knowledge and experience, propone the highest quality standards across the industry and provide ongoing support for new and existing individuals and organisations working in the industry who are wanting to improve the quality of their services. All of this is focused on improving the safety of working animals operations across Australia and the communities they serve.

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The Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA) is committed to meaningful professional self-governance. WAFA’s self-governance foundation comprises and depends upon a variety of codes and standards, supported by our Steering Committee and WAFA Members and Credential-holders. As an independent certification body we aim to provide quality assurance and rigour in all aspects of our operations.

Originally conceived in early 2015, the Working Animals Federation of Australia took its official form on April 19, 2020. Presently, we are in the stages of seeking formal recognition as a social enterprise by Social Traders, a step that underscores our commitment to fostering positive societal impact through our endeavours. Our commitment to social impact is ingrained in everything we do. We strive to elevate standards for working animals, with an initial particular focus on assistance, therapy, and detection animals.

As part of our dedication to inclusivity, we prioritise hiring staff who have disabilities or medical issues, recognising the unique perspectives and invaluable contributions they bring to our organisation.

As a social enterprise, WAFA operates with a clear purpose: to promote the well-being of working animals and ensure their contributions to society are recognised and valued. Our model aligns with the principles of social entrepreneurship, as we generate income through various activities while prioritising the public and community benefits of our initiatives.  By addressing unmet needs within the community related to working animals, we strive to create a fairer and more sustainable world for both animals and humans alike.

Join us on our journey to make a difference in the lives of working animals and the communities they serve. Together, we can create a brighter future built on compassion, advocacy, and collaboration.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to elevate the standards and well-being of working animals through accreditation, advocacy, consultation, education, and research.  We do this by empowering individuals and organisations to make a positive impact in the sphere of assistance, therapy and other working animals while fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a world where working animals are valued, respected, and provided with the highest standards of care and support; enabling them to enhance the lives of individuals and communities globally. Through our dedication to excellence, collaboration, and advocacy; we aspire to be leaders in advancing the welfare and recognition of working animals, driving positive change and building a more compassionate and sustainable future for all.

Our Values

We uphold the highest standards of integrity in our accreditation processes and advocacy efforts, ensuring transparency and fairness for all involved in the working animal sphere.

We treat every individual and every animal with respect, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to society and their right to dignified treatment.

Through collaboration with stakeholders, experts, and communities, we work together to create meaningful change and enhance the well-being of working animals.

We embrace innovation in education and research to advance the field of working animals, fostering creative solutions that address emerging challenges and improve outcomes.

Our dedication to customer focus ensures that the needs of our clients and partners are at the forefront of everything we do.

We are committed to excellence in accreditation standards, advocacy initiatives, consultation services, and educational programs; striving for the highest quality outcomes for working animals and their humans.

We value diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, recognising the unique strengths and perspectives that each individual and animal brings to the working animal sphere.

We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility in our practices, supporting initiatives that prioritise the long-term well-being of working animals, their environments, and the communities they serve.

Through teamwork and collaboration, we foster a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can thrive, working together to achieve our shared mission of enhancing the lives of working animals.

We empower individuals and organisations within the working animal sphere, providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to make a positive impact in their communities.

We embrace a growth mindset, continually seeking opportunities for learning, development, and innovation to drive positive change and improve outcomes for working animals and their caregivers.

We actively engage with communities to raise awareness, foster understanding, and promote best practices in the care and use of working animals, building stronger connections and partnerships.

We prioritise the well-being and work-life balance of our team members, recognising that a healthy, supportive work environment is essential for achieving our mission and serving our community effectively.

We believe in open communication and transparency, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration where ideas are freely shared, feedback is valued, and dialogue is encouraged to drive positive change within the working animal sphere.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all members of our community, recognising that inclusivity is fundamental to our mission. We strive to make information readily available in various formats, including community language translations, easy English, AUSLAN, and formats which are accessible to those utilising various forms of assistive technology.

 By removing barriers to access, we aim to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities to fully engage with our resources, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment.

Our Aims

To establish and uphold rigorous accreditation standards for the welfare and training of working animals, ensuring their well-being and effectiveness in assisting individuals and communities.

To democratise rigorous, independent accreditation processes, making them more accessible to Australians engaged with assistance, therapy, and other working animals. This includes providing equal access to accreditation standards and certifications comparable to those of established organisations like Assistance Dogs International (ADI), thus eliminating financial and other barriers that prevent certain individuals and organisations from obtaining such memberships.

To advocate for the rights and welfare treatment of working animals on local, national, and international levels, promoting policies and practices that prioritise their welfare and dignity.

To provide expert consultation services to individuals, organisations, and governments involved in the care, training, utilisation and regulation of assistance, therapy and other working animals, offering guidance and support to enhance their effectiveness and impact.

To offer comprehensive education and training programs for handlers, trainers and professionals in the working animal sphere, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to provide optimal care and support.

To enhance recognition and accessibility of assistance animals throughout the Australian community, while simultaneously reducing instances of discrimination against them.

To conduct research and knowledge dissemination initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding of working animals’ needs, capabilities, and contributions, driving innovation and best practices in their care and utilisation.

To collaborate with stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, academia, and industry partners, to foster a supportive ecosystem for working animals, promoting cooperation and collective action towards shared goals of improving their welfare and recognition.

Industry Partners

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We provide free access to Fact Sheets, Webinars and Continuing Education Opportunities to help you.

With everyone on the same page, we can do great things.

  • How to select and train a Working Animal
  • Provide Appropriate First Aid and Preventative Healthcare
  • How to select and train my own Assistance Animal
  • Physical Health Checks
  • Emergency Veterinary Care
  • Public Access Rights
  • Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
  • How to Obtain Accreditation
  • Legislation, Case Law and AAT Appeals
  • Understanding the NDIS and other funding Opportunities
  • How do I know if it is a 'real' Assistance Animal?
  • What type of Insurance do I need?
  • What to look for in a Breeder
To learn more about our current initiatives,
please see Our Programs here

Projects under Development:

  • Development of a national credential system for therapy, detection and other classes of Working Animals including those in education, and entertainment.
  • Endorsement of our national symbol and PAT to denote Assistance Animals with legally protected public access rights.
  • Development of nationally-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate study options for allied health professionals and working animal trainers.
  • Development of an app to aid handlers to maintain detailed records relating to their animals health, welfare and behaviour as well as gain direct access to relevant legislation and other helpful resources.
  • Access to safe and clean toileting areas for working animals in public locations.
  • Development of quarterly, community magazine and peer-reviewed journal to support our community.
  • Collaboration with industry partners to facilitate public access for Assistance Animals and decrease discrimination in real estate, public transport, accommodation, hospitals and airlines.

This is your Federation, so please email any suggested projects to admin@workinganimalsfederationofaustralia.com.au