Environment and Heritage

Apply for a native animal keeper licence

Find information about how to apply and pay for licences to keep native animals.

 

Changes to online applications for native animal keeper and companion animal keeper licencesChanges to online applications for native animal keeper and companion animal keeper licences

Licences to keep native animals in New South Wales will no longer be processed immediately online and will be subject to a more rigorous assessment process. These changes have been made in response to illegal wildlife trafficking concerns.

To keep a native reptile, bird, frog or mammal as a pet, you need to first have a biodiversity conservation licence granted under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016(link is external) from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (National Parks and Wildlife Service).

The type of biodiversity conservation licence needed depends on the species and number of animals you want to keep.

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a licence to keep native animals. If you are under 16 years of age, the licence application must be in the name of your legal parent/guardian.

Some animals are only available to people who hold an advanced licence. These animal keepers have many years of experience keeping species that may be difficult and dangerous to maintain or are of a higher conservation significance.

There are 41 native bird species you can keep without a licence.

Types of licencesTypes of licences

Apply for a licenceApply for a licence

Licences to keep native animals in NSW will no longer be processed immediately online will no longer be processed immediately online.

In response to evidence that NSW animal keeper licences are being used to facilitate the interstate movement of native animals for exploitation in organised illegal wildlife trafficking, all applications will be subject to a more rigorous assessment process.

You can apply online(link is external) for a Companion Animal Keeper Licence or a Class 1 Native Animal Keeper Licence through Service NSW. To apply for an upgrade licence (that is, from class 1 or 'basic'), you must submit an application form(link is external).

New applicants 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 provided by Service NSW.

If you apply online, you receive a discount on the current standard licence fee.

Apply online

Please email us at wildlife.licensing@environment.nsw.gov.au if you are unable to complete the online form for your application.

Licence fees and durationLicence fees and duration

Licence fees vary depending on the type of licence, number of classes and how you apply. Discounts are available for pensioners and certain applications when lodged online.

Licence classes, duration and fees
Licence classFull priceDurationOnlinePensionerPensioner and online
Companion animal keeper licence$50.005 years$45.00$40.00$40.00
Class 1 animal keeper$63.00/class2 years$56.70$50.00$45.00
Class 1 animal keeper$143.00/class5 years$143.00$115.00$115.00
Advanced animal keeper licence$120.00/class2 yearsN/A$95.00N/A
Advanced animal keeper licence$240.00/class5 yearsN/A$190.00N/A

How will I know if my application has been successful?How will I know if my application has been successful?

If you applied for a companion animal licence or an animal keeper licence (class 1) online, you should receive your transaction receipt within 4 hours. You will be notified of the outcome of your application within 28 days.

If you applied by mail, it takes up to 28 working days for your application to be assessed. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by mail.

Please note that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water reviews all applications for animal keeper licences for compliance and enforcement purposes.

If you are successful in being granted a licence, read it thoroughly to check all the details are correct and that you understand the licence conditions.

If there are any errors, contact the Wildlife Team.

Contact us

Wildlife Team

Phone: 02 9585 6406

Email: wildlife.licensing@environment.nsw.gov.au