Students should not be required to take part in animal dissection, classroom animal programs, zoo excursions or other school activities that use animals.
If these activities conflict with students' values, they can request an alternative task and still meet the same learning outcomes. This page provides free templates, letters and guidance for students, families and schools.
Templates and guidance to help students request alternatives to animal dissection, excursions and other school activities involving animals.
Download all 15 letters, templates and guides (zip)
These resources support students to learn without participating in the use of animals.
Includes editable letters for students, parents and schools as well as guides and background resources. All downloadable separately below.
Many school lessons and excursions still involve animals. These can include dissections, classroom hatching programs, zoo or aquarium visits, live animal displays and other activities where animals are treated as tools, objects or entertainment.
Students have a right to complete their education without participating in the use, confinement or exploitation of animals.
Students may wish to opt out of activities such as:
If an activity involving animals does not align with your values, you can respectfully ask for an alternative task. This does not mean refusing to learn. It means completing the same learning outcomes in another way.
Alternative learning activities may include:
These templates help students learn without participating in the use of animals while still meeting school requirements. Download the editable docx version, update names and details, then send to your school.
Most schools respond positively when concerns are clearly explained.
Can students opt out of animal dissection in Australia?
Yes. Students can request an alternative learning activity if dissection conflicts with their values.
Do schools have to provide an alternative to dissection?
Schools can usually provide alternative tasks that meet the same learning outcomes, such as digital simulations, research work or written activities.
Can students opt out of zoo, aquarium or farm excursions?
Yes. Students can request a supervised alternative activity if an excursion involves the use, confinement or exploitation of animals.
What should students say to their teacher?
Students can explain that they want to meet the learning requirements without taking part in an activity that uses animals. The templates on this page can help them put that request in writing.
Can parents or guardians contact the school instead?
Yes. Parents and guardians can write to the school on behalf of a student, especially where advance notice or a formal opt-out request is needed.
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