Australia Quantifies Annual Research Animal Usage

A new national study counts over one million mice and rats used in scientific research during 2024.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Pets — General

Australia Quantifies Annual Research Animal Usage

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Do you support the continued use of animals for scientific and medical research in Australia?

A national study has identified that 1,193,619 mice and 46,961 rats were used in research, teaching, and testing across Australia in 2024. The research aims to provide a clear picture of animal usage to improve public trust and animal welfare policy.

Why it matters

National statistics are designed to boost public confidence in science and help organisations identify how many animals are suitable for rehoming. The data marks a first step toward consolidating fragmented information from various state jurisdictions.

In 2024, researchers used 1,193,619 mice and 46,961 rats, figures that exclude animals bred but not used for research. These data points provide a baseline for national reporting as other species are added to future counts.

The players

Liberty Foundation

The Liberty Foundation is an organisation that supports animal welfare and opened the first adoption centre for small research animals in 2026.

The details

The study relied on various collection methods, including freedom of information requests, to bridge the gap between states like New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, which publish data, and jurisdictions that do not. In 2026, the Liberty Foundation opened the first adoption centre for small research animals to provide homes for those no longer needed.

2024 was the period during which the research animal count was measured.
The Liberty Foundation opened the first small research animal adoption centre in 2026.
The national animal use study was released on 21 October 2026.

Culture Shift

This study marks a departure from the historical fragmentation of state-level animal-use statistics by establishing a unified national count. It signals a broader societal shift toward increased transparency regarding how animals are utilised in institutional research.

The new reporting transparency allows the public to better understand the scale of animal use in Australian laboratories. Additionally, the development of rehoming programmes like those at the Liberty Foundation may influence how local communities participate in animal rescue efforts.

The takeaway

This study establishes a new benchmark for transparency that may lead to better rehoming opportunities for research animals. Australians interested in animal welfare can monitor future reports as the programme expands to include other species.