Licence to carve emu eggs

The art of carving emu eggs, known as Kalti Paarti, became popular in the 19th century and is still highly valued today.

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists scratch, scrape or carve away the outer layers of shell to reveal shades of blue, blue-green, brown, grey and white.

Emus are protected in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act).

When you need a licence

You need a licence, granted under the BC Act, to obtain captive-sourced emu eggs to carve or decorate and sell. It is illegal to collect emu eggs from the wild.

An emu egg carving licence allows you to:

• obtain infertile or blown emu eggs from captive sources, such as emu farms, animal parks or zoos
• carve or decorate captive-sourced eggs
• sell your carved or decorated eggs.

When you don't need a licence

You don’t need a licence to buy carved or decorated emu eggs from an artist or shop, but you should check to see whether the egg was legally sourced.

When you buy a carved or decorated emu egg, look for:

• the artist’s licence number, written or etched on the egg (for example, MWL009999)
• the licence number of the emu farmer, animal park or zoo, written or etched on the egg (for example, L00500).

Apply for an emu egg carving licence

To apply for a licence, download and fill out the Emu Egg Carving Licence Application Form PDF 40KB) and return it via:

• email: [email protected] or
• post to:
  Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator
  Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  PO Box 2111
  Dubbo NSW 2830

Applicants must nominate the premises where eggs will be carved and/or decorated.

A licence will cost $30 and the licence term is 5 years.

Please allow enough time for your application to be assessed and processed.

Renew or end a licence

We will contact you to remind you to renew your licence before your licence expiry date. 

Renewals cost $30 for 5 years.

Renewal of your licence is dependent upon submission of a report of your activities.

Record keeping and reporting

When you renew or end your licence, you must submit a report to show how many eggs you bought and sold, and where you sourced them during the licence period.

We will provide you with a reporting template. Email: [email protected].

If you fail to provide records, you may have your licence renewal application refused.

Comply with licence conditions

When you hold a licence to carve or decorate emu eggs to sell, you must comply with the Emu Egg Carving Licence Conditions (PDF 37KB).