The CAAS design is based on two primary functions, “Contained Area” and “Uncontained Area”.

The Contained Area refers to a large complex of research facilities which provided high level microbial security to projects investigating disease control and vaccine development. The area has facilities ranging from PC1 to PC3 and includes a specialised Necropsy facility and extensive cattle tick research pens and insectaries.

The “Uncontained Area” is primarily designed for Nutrition and Behavioural studies and incorporates a research feedlot, 32 individual animal pens (for pre feeding for metabolism crate studies), 16 specialist cattle metabolism crates, 60 plus sheep metabolism crates, 48 large pens for housing paired sheep or pig groups, 16 specialist pig metabolism crates and a unique animal behavioural complex.

Each of the contained and uncontained areas have numerous support facilities including laboratories, cold rooms dehydrators, reference storage, write up areas, hot desks, showers, surgical facilities, clinical waste disposal area and extensive cattle and sheep yards, crushes and handlers.