Free range

Under Australian Consumer Law, egg producers cannot use the words ‘free range’ on their egg cartons unless the eggs were laid by hens that:

• had meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during daylight hours during the laying cycle
• were able to roam and forage on the outdoor range
• were subject to a stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare or less

In addition all eggs labelled as ‘free range’ must have the stocking density prominently displayed on the packaging.

For more information on the term ‘free range’ as well as labelling and display requirements, see:

• Information for consumers: What are free range eggs – Australian Eggs
• (Free Range Egg Labelling) Information Standard 2017
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - Guide for egg producers (PDF, 275 KB) 

Egg production systems

There are 3 systems of egg production that are guided by the national Model code of practice for the welfare of animals - domestic poultry 4th edition (PDF, 802 KB).

According to the model code:

• free-range hens have meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during daylight hours during the laying cycle with a maximum stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare
• barn laid hens are free to roam within a shed which may have more than one level
• cage hens are continuously housed in cages within a shed.

Irrespective of the system of production:

• producers must comply with the animal welfare provisions of their state or territory. In NSW producers must comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
• eggs are a good source of nutrition
• food safety issues for eggs are the same for all systems and are regulated by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and Food Regulation 2025.

Egg producers should meet the minimum standards of care for hens for each system of production as set out in the Model Code.