Wildlife licences | NSW Environment and Heritage

Wildlife licences
                        Many activities that involve native animals or plants need a licence. Find out which licence you need and how to apply.
                    

Many activities that involve native animals or plants need a licence. Find out which licence you need and how to apply.

Native animals as pets

In NSW you need a licence to keep most native animals as pets.
Trading in native animals

You need a licence to import or export almost all protected native animals into, or out of, NSW.
Catch and release licence

These licences allow handlers to legally catch and release reptiles (usually snakes) or possums from commercial and residential properties.
Taxidermy licence

Find out how to apply for a licence to preserve and mount an animal for study or display or possess protected animal specimens.
Emu farming and egg carving licences

Commercial activities that involve captive-sourced emus and emu eggs need a licence.
Licences to control or harm native animals

For landowners to control native animals posing a threat to safety or causing property damage.
Rehabilitating native animals

Injured, sick or orphaned native animals require specialised care and treatment to recover and be returned to the wild.
Kangaroo management

The main goal of kangaroo management in New South Wales is conservation. Native animals are protected in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is an offence to harm, or to buy or sell kangaroos for commercial purposes, without a licence.
Codes of practice

Some activities no longer require a licence and are now covered under a regulatory code of practice.

Download

NSW Native Animal Keepers' Species List

The NSW Native Animal Keepers’ Species List contains the names of all fauna species that may be kept under licence in New South Wales.

PDF 513KB

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More info

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