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The aim of the research presented here was to model the effects of important housing and management factors on the concentrations of ammonia and carbon dioxide in order to predict and control the internal concentrations and emissions of these gases from piggery buildings. The project aim was achieved by conducting a comprehensive survey (160 piggery buildings in fours states of Australia between autumn 1997 and autumn 1999) and measuring the concentrations of these gases in the study buildings. Ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations were measured continuously over 60 hours at each monitoring occasions using a multi-gas monitoring machine (MGM). Engineering and management characteristics of the piggery buildings were recorded at the time of sampling and used in the subsequent multivariate analysis. The mean ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations measured in the piggery buildings were 3.7 ppm and 858 ppm, respectively. A general linear model (GLM PROC) statistical procedure was used to model the effects of housing and management factors on the concentrations of ammonia and carbon dioxide. According to the model developed, ammonia concentrations were primarily affected by the level of pen hygiene, shed size, pig flow management and seasons. Carbon dioxide concentrations were affected by the classification of the buildings, seasons, ventilation control of the wall and ridge vent openings, ceiling height of the buildings, size of the wall openings and height of the ridge vent opening. The results highlighted potential strategies to be used to reduce the negative effects of poor air quality on pig production, environment, health and welfare and the working environment of piggery staff.