Licences for scientific, educational and conservation purposes
You may require a scientific licence under section 132C of the
National Parks and Wildlife Act if you wish to undertake an activity or project for research, education or conservation purposes that is likely to result in one or more of the following:
- harm to any protected fauna, or to an animal that is a threatened species or is part of an endangered population or an endangered ecological community; protected fauna does not include invertebrates (except threatened species), or fish as defined under the Fisheries Management Act 1994
- picking any protected native plant, or any plant that is a threatened species or is part of an endangered population or an endangered ecological community; you will need a licence if you plan to collect voucher specimens for identification purposes, pick cuttings or whole plants, or collect seed
- damage to critical habitat.
- damage to a habitat of a threatened species, an endangered population or an endangered ecological community
- research within the NPWS reserve system.
Scientific Licensing Policy
The scientific licensing policy (PDF 208KB):
establishes the principles under which this licensing program is regulated
states the criteria under which scientific licences are assessed and explains ways in which scientific, conservation and education actions are regulated
details how research in NPWS reserves will be regulated, including liaison with NPWS staff
identifies which actions may be exempt from requiring a scientific licence
articulates the role and interaction of scientific licensing with animal welfare assessment
provides a framework for the administration of the program including management of the application process, consultation with the applicant and other relevant stakeholders including OEH business units, and reporting requirements.
Find out more about applying for or updating a scientific licence, or go to the Government Licensing Service to make an online application. More information about the online application and requirements is provided in the scientific licensing FAQs.
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Page last updated: 24 January 2013
