Penalties for animal cruelty offences vary in each jurisdiction, but all have provisions for jail terms and fines as follows:
State
|
Maximum jail term |
Maximum fine |
| ACT |
12 months (2 yrs for aggravated cruelty)
|
$10,000 ($20,000 for aggravated cruelty) |
| NSW |
6 months (5 years for aggravated cruelty*)
|
$5,500 ($22,000 for aggravated cruelty) |
| NT |
12 months |
$13,000 (regardless of deliberate or negligent) |
| QLD |
2 years |
$100,000 (regardless of deliberate or negligent)
|
| SA |
2 years (4 yrs for aggravated cruelty)
|
$20,000 ($50,000 for aggravated cruelty) |
| TAS |
12 months (18 months for aggravated cruelty)
|
$12,000 ($24,000 for aggravated cruelty)
|
VIC
|
12 months (2 yrs for aggravated cruelty) |
$12,000 ($24,000 for aggravated cruelty) |
WA
|
5 years |
$50,000 (regardless of deliberate or negligent)
|
* The NSW Crimes Act 1900 has a section referencing serious animal cruelty with a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years (more than the 2 referenced in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act): http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082/
