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Australians Support Replacement of Animals in Science

Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA)

Key Facts:

National poll reveals latest insights on public opinion on animal use in science

Strongest opposition to lethal research and research involving dogs, cats or monkeys

Support for funding of alternatives, greater transparency and rehoming 

New National Poll Confirms Rising Support for Humane Alternatives

A national poll commissioned by Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) reveals that the majority of Australians want to see an end to animal experiments and greater investment in ethical, scientifically advanced alternatives.

The survey of 1,011 people aged 16 and over, conducted by Nexus Research in August 2025, follows earlier polls in 2018, 2013 and 2008, providing the most up-to-date picture of Australian community attitudes toward the use of animals in science.

Key Findings

Australians want change:

• • 71% support replacing animals in research with scientific alternatives (up from 61% in 2018).
  • 71% also support allocating a portion of medical research grants to fund those alternatives (up from 67% in 2018).

Concerns about animal use remain high:

• 67% oppose the use of animals for cosmetics testing.
• 60% oppose use for developing household products.
• Opposition is strongest when it involves dogs (63%), cats (57%) or monkeys (51%).

Procedures that harm animals are unacceptable:

• 68% oppose research requiring the death of an animal.
• 70% oppose research causing severe or harmful damage.

Australians want rehoming, not disposal:

• 80% support giving dogs and cats used in labs the chance to be rehomed.
• 77% want monkeys retired to sanctuaries.
• Respondents think research institutions, funding bodies and the Government should pay for rehoming.

Growing trust in alternatives:

• 32% of respondents now believe technologies such as 3D tissue models, computer modelling and microdosing are more reliable than animal research (up from 20% in 2008).

Transparency and accountability demanded:

• 64% think governments fail to provide sufficient information about animal experimentation.
• 68% support mandatory reporting of statistics on scientific animal use in Australia.

AFSA’s Response

AFSA CEO, Rachel Smith, said the findings confirm that the public is far ahead of policy-makers:

“Australians want a future where science is advanced without animal testing. They hold concerns around the safety of transferring results from animals to human patients and they want their tax dollars directed to the development of animal-free methods.”

The poll also highlights that nearly one third of Australians are still unaware animals are used in research, while most are unaware of available alternatives.

These findings underscore the urgent need for greater transparency, stronger protection for animals used in research, and investment in non-animal technologies.

About the Poll

• Conducted in August 2025 by Nexus Research.
• Online panel survey of 1,011 Australians aged 16+
• Previous polls conducted for AFSA in 2018, 2013 and 2008

 

Contact AFSA for a full copy of the opinion poll.

 

About us:

Animal-Free Science Advocacy is a national non-profit organisation advocating for the replacement of animals with scientifcally validated alternatives. We build public awareness of animal experimentation; pursue all reasonable channels to eliminate animal experimentation in any form or industry, and champion the beneficial adoption of animal-free alternatives to all forms of animal usage throughout scientific and medical research and teaching

Contact details:

Rachel Smith

CEO AFSA

[email protected]

0415 227 815