Crossing animalsAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


22. Crossing animals

An animals-crossing warning indicates a place or road section where wild animals, livestock or ridden animals may enter or cross the road. Animals may appear suddenly, move unpredictably or be difficult to see in darkness, vegetation or poor weather.

Drivers should reduce speed, scan both sides of the road and remain prepared to stop. The warning sign does not itself give animals priority or impose a numerical speed limit, but drivers must avoid frightening, endangering or colliding with them.

Animal warning sign depicting a kangaroo, camel and emu. (Australia)
Wikimedia.org • Hossen27 • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Australia?

Depending on the locality, drivers may meet kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and livestock, particularly on regional roads. Roadside animal-warning signs and local hazard information indicate where extra care may be needed; do not assume the hazard ends immediately after a sign.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals

Warning for cattle on the road. Warning for cattle on the road.

English • Stock warning family • cattle illustration • Cattle on the road. Cattle may be on or crossing the road ahead. Reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Illustration identified by its sign family or meaning; the exact current prescribed design has not been confirmed.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW • Stock warning family • cattle illustration
🔗 Tmr.qld.gov.au • Queensland MUTCD • May2026 • stock warning variants

SVG source: Standards Australia • Public domain • Original revision 2024-09-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Qld.gov.au • official published diagram W5-38.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Australia set a new speed limit?

A warning of animals is not, by itself, a numerical speed-limit sign. Continue to obey the applicable speed limit, but slow down whenever animals could enter the road or visibility is poor. A separate regulatory speed sign must also be obeyed.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals

What should you do if an animal enters the road in Australia?

Ease off the accelerator, assess the traffic behind and brake smoothly if necessary. Avoid abrupt swerving into opposing traffic or off the road. Give farm animals and ridden animals room, avoid frightening them with unnecessary horn use, and be alert for more animals following.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...