Application forms and fees
Application and renewal forms and fees for keeping native animals as pets
To keep a native bird, frog, reptile or mammal as a pet you will need to complete an application form and return it to the Office of Environment and Heritage's (OEH's) Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit.
List of species which can be kept as pets (currentspecieslist.pdf, 431KB)
Native animal keepers' licence
To apply for an entry level class 1 native animal keepers licence, you must be over 16 years of age (see Children and native animal keeping). Licences are available for a 2 or 5 year period and are restricted to easy to keep class 1 animals.
Online applications
You can apply online for a class 1 licence using the NSW Government Licensing Service (GLS). New applicants will first need to register with the site, before completing the online application. Make sure you:
use capital letters when entering your name, for example John William Smith
enter your phone number details in the format 0295856401 or 0401000000 for mobile numbers (no spaces)
enter your address accurately using the Quick Address System (QAS) provided by the GLS.
If you apply online there is a 15% discount off the current standard licence fee. Pensioners receive an additional 10% discount.
Other applications
You can apply for a licence by downloading an application form and emailing or mailing it to the Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit. Please allow a minimum of 21 working days for your licence to be processed. A 10% discount is available for pensioners. No other discounts apply.
Please note that OEH reviews all applications for animal keeper licences for compliance and enforcement purposes.
Advanced class native animal keepers' licence
Advanced class native animal keeper licences are only available for people who are over 18 years of age and have at least two years' experience in caring for and handling the relevant species of animal (i.e. reptile, bird or amphibian) through a lower class of licence. Licences are available for a two-year and five-year period. Fees apply and pensioner discounts are available. Please allow a minimum of 21 working days for your licence to be processed.
Online applications are currently not available for advanced class keepers.
Companion animals keepers licence
If you want to keep just one individual bird, reptile or frog as a pet you may be eligible to apply for a companion animal keepers licence. Licences are for a fixed five-year period and cost $50. There are no annual reporting requirements with a companion animal keepers licence. However, you must nominate the species of animal you are going to keep at the time of application. See the list of animals that are available under a companion animal licence.
Applicants must be over 16 years of age (see Children and native animal keeping). Pensioner discounts are available and an additional 10% discount is available to those who apply online.
Online applications
You can apply online for a companion animal keepers licence using the NSW Government Licensing Service (GLS). New applicants will first need to register with the site, before completing the online application. Make sure you:
use capital letters when entering your name, for example John WIlliam Smith
enter your phone number details in the format 0295856401 or 0401000000 (no spaces)
enter your address accurately using the Quick Address System provided by the GLS.
Other applications, including renewals
You can also apply for, or renew, a companion native animal keeper's licence by downloading and completing the appropriate form below and posting, faxing or emailing it to the Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit:
Application form (calappform.pdf, 121KB) for a companion native animal keeper's licence
Renewal form (130334AnimalRenew.pdf, 36KB) for renewing a companion native animal keeper's licence.
Animal keepers' licence renewal or cancellation
Licensees must submit a Licence renewal form (aklrenewalapp.pdf, 73KB) at least 21 days before the expiry date to allow for processing and ensure that their licence remains current. Renewal applications can be returned by post, fax or email. You can also renew your licence online and receive a 10% discount.
Licensees who no longer wish to keep native birds, frogs, reptiles or mammals must submit a Licence not required form (licencenotreq.pdf, 58KB) by post, fax or email and post their Animal Keepers' Record Book indicating the method of disposal of the animal collection. The licence will then be cancelled.
Want to add another class of animal to your licence?
Your licence permits you to keep a certain class of native animal such as a bird, frog, reptile or mammal. If you are thinking about expanding your collection and adding another class of animal you will need to let us know by completing this form (codform.pdf, 68KB) so we can amend your existing licence. Please note changes to licence classes cannot currently be done online.
Changing your contact details? Let us know
If you are about to change your contact details you need to let us know whether you are changing your email address, your residential or postal address, or your mobile phone number. Please complete this form (codform.pdf, 68KB) and send it to the Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit.
A person must be over 16 years of age to apply for a licence to keep native animals. If you are under 16 years of age you still can apply. However, the licence application must be in the name of your legal parent/guardian. The licence will be issued in the name of the legal parent/guardian who will then be responsible for compliance with the licence conditions.
Licence conditions
People who possess either a native animal keeper's licence or a companion native animal keepers licence must comply with the conditions of their licence. These conditions may include the maintenance and annual submission of an Animal Keeper's Fauna Record Book, which is issued free with your licence. This record book allows you to keep a running inventory of the native animals in your possession.
Download sample licence conditions for a native animal keepers licence (aklconditions.pdf, 31KB).
Download sample licence conditions for a companion native animal keepers licence (calconditions.pdf, 22KB)
OEH undertakes random audits of its licence holders to ensure the conditions of the licence are complied with.
Find out more about:
Keeping native birds
Keeping native reptiles
Keeping native frogs
Keeping native mammals
Keeping companion native animals
Moving animals interstate (Import/Export licences)
Native Animal Keeper Electronic Fauna Record Keeping System
More information
Contact OEH's Wildlife Licensing and Management Unit if you have any further queries.
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Page last updated: 15 May 2013
