Changes to online applications for native animal keeper and companion animal keeper licences and extended processing times
Renewal applications for licences to keep native animals in NSW are no longer being processed immediately online and are subject to a more rigorous assessment process. These changes have been made in response to illegal wildlife trafficking concerns.
This has resulted in an extensive backlog and delays in licensing processing times. It may take at least to 8 weeks for you to be notified of the outcome of your application. Strategies are activities being implemented reduce delays. Your patience is appreciated.
Renew a keeper licence
If you hold a Native Animal Keeper Licence (Class 1), you can renew your licence online and receive a 10% discount. Paying the application fee does not guarantee that a licence will be granted.
You can only renew online for up to 60 days after your licence has expired. After that, you will need to contact the Wildlife Licensing Team to discuss options.
If you have ever previously held an Animal Keeper Licence and have not requested for it to be surrendered, or if you'd like to check on the status of any licences previously held, contact the Wildlife Licensing Team.
To renew other native animal or plant licence types, contact the Wildlife Licensing Team.
The Wildlife Licensing team is currently managing a significantly higher volume of applications and enquiries than usual because of changes made to licensing in response to illegal wildlife trafficking concerns. As a result, application processing times and responses to enquiries are taking longer than ordinarily expected. Your patience is appreciated.
It is your responsibility to renew your licence when it expires, or to surrender it if you no longer want to keep native animals.
Complete the Companion Animal Keeper’s Licence Renewal form and return by post or email.
Complete the Native Animal Keeper’s Licence Renewal form.
Surrender a keeper licence
If you want to stop keeping native birds, frogs, reptiles or mammals, you must:
- find a new home for your animals
- submit a Licence Not Required form
- submit your e-book records or post your paper record book to report how you disposed of your animals (for example, rehomed, died).
Your licence will then be surrendered.
Add or change your licence class
Your licence allows you to keep a certain class of native animal, such as a bird, frog (amphibian), reptile or mammal. If you want to add another class of animal to your collection, you will need to tell us by completing the Change of Licence Class or Contact Details Form, so we can change your existing licence.
Please note:
- changes to licence classes cannot currently be completed online
- changing the class of your licence will incur an application fee appropriate to any additional class of animal you are keeping
- paying the application fee does not guarantee that a licence will be granted
- it may take at least 8 weeks for you to be notified of the outcome of your application
- to keep advanced class species of birds, reptiles or amphibians, please refer to upgrade existing licence.