The Department of Agriculture and live export industry representatives are investigating claims that Australian livestock have been mistreated in Malaysia.

Late on Monday (May 6), animal rights group Animals Australia provided the department with footage which it says shows goats being stuffed into car boots and taken away for private slaughter.

The footage, taken by one of the group's Australian investigators acting on a tip-off from a Malaysian businessman, also allegedly shows cattle being killed in an inappropriate manner in ESCAS-approved facilities.

Animals Australia also alleges that the footage shows Australian goats present in non-ESCAS-approved facilities.

DAFF says it reviewed the footage and has launched an investigation.

In a statement, DAFF says it has "already consulted Malaysian officials and is pleased with the levels of co-operation" received. DAFF has also contacted eight exporters that supply Australian livestock to Malaysia, and says it has been happy with their response too.

ABC Rural has not see the footage in question.

The Australian Livestock Exporters' Association's chief executive, Alison Penfold, says industry has not yet been provided with the footage, but has already sent its own investigators to Malaysia.

Ms Penfold says she's frustrated with the behaviour of Animals Australia and sections of the media.

"The process that Animals Australia is going down is one of morally harassing and embarrassing our trading partners," she said.

"There's no dispute that we need to work to eradicate animal abuse. But we feel that working with our trading partners, in our supply chains, providing training to their citizens, is the more appropriate process of improving animal welfare."

Ms Penfold says Australia risks holding overseas markets to a higher welfare standard for livestock than it holds itself.

"I remember only last year seeing [a story] on a commercial television program about sheep being put into the back of Australian vehicles and being sent home for private slaughter [which is not allowed under the ESCAS system].

"We are committed to eradicating animal cruelty," she said.

Animals Australia's executive director, Glenys Oogjes says Australia's been involved in overseas livestock markets for decades and that hasn't stopped examples of abuse from occurring.

She says she doesn't believe Australia doesn't need to remain in the trade to lift animal welfare in those countries.

"Our government has a lot to do with the [International Organisation for Animal Welfare, the] OIE, and they are pushing for better animal welfare practices.

"While we continue to provide our cattle, our sheep, our goats to these countries, it's an indicator to them that we think everything's fine."