Conservation translocation approvals for threatened species

 

About conservation translocation approvals

Approvals are often required for the translocation of threatened or non-threatened species.

It is always your responsibility to know the required approvals. Approvals vary between jurisdictions and may change over time. Please contact the relevant state or territory authority to identify the approvals required.

Approvals are sometimes required due to:

  • the status of the species (threatened, protected etc.)
  • the status of the land (national park, conservation reserves, Commonwealth land etc.)
  • risks and likely impacts on the species involved
  • risks and likely impacts on other threatened species values of the lands or waters involved
  • movements across state, territory or national borders.

Learn more about streamlining an approval process:

Download

Tips to streamline a translocation approval process (PDF 173 KB)
Tips to streamline a translocation approval process (DOCX 58KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.

Types of approvals

Table 1 outlines the types of approvals that may be required for a translocation.

Table 1: Types of approvals
Type of activities requiring approval Examples

Taken from wild
  • Collect a threatened species from a naturally occurring or introduced population.
  • Harm, disturb, interfere, feed, gather, pick, or otherwise interact with a plant or animal in:
    • the lands or waters of a national park
    • other conservation reserve
    • a Commonwealth area.

Possess
  • Temporarily hold, restrain, control, feed, breed, move or transport a protected species.

Release into wild
  • Release wild-sourced or captive-bred organisms into the wild (land or water).

Release into a surrogate habitat or a semi-wild site
  • Release wild-sourced or captive-bred organisms into an isolated semi-wild or purpose-built habitat (land or water) to encourage breeding/mixing
  • Supplementary feeding, interactions with staff/researchers/contractors when care is needed.

Import
  • Move an organism from one state or territory to another.

Export
  • Move an organism from one state or territory to another.

Trade
  • Buy, sell, generate income or benefit from a threatened species.

Impact on conservation of a threatened species or the environment
  • Harm the conservation of a threatened species ꟷ for example, by removing/introducing individuals from a population.
  • Harm the environment ꟷ for example, other species at the recipient location.

Note: Animal ethics considerations should be sought from the relevant states.

Other approvals include:

  • animal ethics approval ,­where a third party has certified that the activity provides for the welfare of animals
  • cultural approval, where the relevant First Nations people decide whether the translocation is culturally acceptable
  • land-use agreement – a formal agreement with the land holder to use or occupy their land
  • statutory planning approval – the approval of local government for any land use that is not as-of-right under the relevant land use zoning provisions
  • biosecurity and quarantine requirements, especially those for aquatic organisms – see National Policy Guidelines for the translocation of live aquatic organisms
  • approvals related to conservation or other values identified or protected under international agreements, or Commonwealth, state, or territory laws
  • animal exhibition approval if seeking to exhibit animals.

Foundational principles

Approvals seek to ensure that translocation activities are:

  • cohesive
  • well informed
  • collaborative
  • supported
  • risk-managed
  • adequately resourced
  • serve the long-term conservation interests of the species concerned.

All translocation activities should take account of the following principles.

Principle 1: Projects must contribute to a measurable conservation benefit for a species in the wild

A project aims to maintain, supplement or establish self-sustaining populations in the wild. This will promote the species’ chances of long-term survival in nature.

Principle 2: Projects maximise retention of genetic diversity

A project demonstrates that it maximises the chances of retaining genetic diversity of the species in the long term.

Principle 3: Planning documents guide decision-making

Planning documents include those prepared, published, or otherwise endorsed by a government agency:

  • recovery plans
  • conservation plans and advices
  • action plans and statements
  • statutory planning documents support the long-term survival of populations in the wild
  • other plans including metapopulation and insurance population plans.

Principle 4: Advisory and governance bodies guide decision-making

Advisory and governance bodies can assist in developing or implementing conservation planning documents.

Principle 5: Policy and international guidelines guide decision-making

Activities are in line with relevant policy and international standards and guidelines. 

Principle 6: Projects are co-designed with First Nations people and developed with partners

Projects are developed in collaboration with regulators, advisory bodies, and other partners. These more likely to succeed than those developed in isolation. The translocation should be led or co-designed with relevant First Nations people when it affects their interests.

Principle 7: The Crown retains control over, or interests in, animals, plants and genetic diversity where necessary

Government agencies are representatives of the Crown. They are responsible for the long-term conservation of species. To do this, they need control or influence over the management of important populations.

Principle 8: Projects must be likely to succeed

Projects must show a high likelihood of success:

  • each element of the project is realistic and workable
  • enough resources are available in the short and long term
  • monitoring, reporting and governance are sound.

Find out more about translocation approval principles:

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Translocation approval principles (PDF 196 KB)
Translocation approval principles (DOCX 57.4 KB)

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State-based information

Activities involving national parks, reserves, or other Crown lands, including fish from waters

Requires:

  • agreement from land management agency
  • national parks and reserves require access agreements.

ParksVic provides approvals guidance and who to contact for different lands. This includes a helpful checklist and links to Permits for fish translocations from the Victorian Fishing Authority.

Translocate a threatened terrestrial species (separate process for aquatic species)

Requires:

  • a translocation proposal that has been supported by the Threatened Fauna Translocation Evaluation Panel (TEP)
  • an authorisation issued under the Wildlife Act 1975 by the Conservation Regulator
  • evidence of support for the project by the relevant land manager at the source and recipient site/s.

Information on the TEP process, policies, and the translocation proposal template are available from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website.

Contact wildlife.policy@delwp.vic.gov.au

Estimated assessment timeframe: 2-6 months, including time required for issuing of authorisation by the Conservation Regulator.

Translocate a threatened aquatic species

Requires an application to translocate live aquatic organisms supported by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Fish Translocation Evaluation Panel and approved by the VFA.

Information about the application process is available on the VFA website.

Contact details: fish.translocations@VFA.vic.gov.au

Capture, possess, release, breed, undertake research, import, export wildlife or threatened species

The Conservation Regulator will help you identify the approvals required and how to apply. They will combine authorisations into a single approval where possible.

See policies and application forms.

Contact:

Estimated assessment timeframe: 2-8 weeks.

Any project that involves ‘animal research’. Animal translocations that include tests, physical treatment, and study and monitoring to assess the success of the translocation are likely to be considered animal research in the context of the AR Act.

  • Requires authorisation by an accredited animal research establishment through the issuing of an animal research authority, which is issued under S25, Animal Research Act 1985 (AR Act).
  • There may be some exceptions to this requirement and further consultation is required with relevant state agencies.

NSW Department contact details:

Learn more about the animal ethics committee.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 6-12 weeks.

Animal and plant translocations

A Biodiversity Conservation (scientific) licence issued by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Wildlife Team is required for most translocations.

Contact scientific.licensing@environment.nsw.gov.au

Estimated assessment timeframe: 28-56 days.

Harm (capture, injure, kill), pick, deal in (possess, import, export, trade), liberate protected species, threatened species or species that are part of a Threatened Ecological Community and/or damage habitat of a threatened species, Threatened Ecological Community, or area of outstanding biodiversity value.

Requires a Biodiversity Conservation (scientific) licence issued by the NPWS Wildlife Team under Part 2 of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The Wildlife Team will combine authorisations into a single approval where possible.

Applications for scientific licences can be made online at apply for a scientific licence.

Contact scientific.licensing@environment.nsw.gov.au

Estimated assessment timeframe: 28-56 days.

Activities on National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) estate

Requires the written approval of the relevant NPWS Area Manager prior to any undertaking of any activities on NPWS estate.

To find the relevant NPWS area’s contact number or email address you can use the find a Park tool. Alternatively, you can use the offices around NSW tool and search for ‘National Parks and Caves Offices’.

It is recommended to contact the area at least 3 weeks prior to commencing research on NPWS estate to ensure that consent is granted and any important access conditions or safety messages can be communicated.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 3 week notification period.

Possessing fish or marine vegetation that would otherwise be unlawful under the Fisheries Management Act

For information and application form for taking or possessing fish see Guidelines for Assessment of Fishing related activities.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 4-6 weeks.

Stock fish into any public impoundment, natural waterway, river, billabong, lake, wetland, stream etc.

For information on stocking or releasing of fish, contact the Recreational Fisheries Branch: (02) 4916 3835.

See the stocking permit application.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 4-6 weeks.

Importation of live fish

See the fish importation form.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 4-6 weeks.

Activities involving protected areas (National Parks, nature refuges, state forests, recreation areas and marine parks)

Contact the Department of Environment and Science Permit and Licence Management at PALM@des.qld.gov.au for assistance.

Find out more on Protected Area Authorities.

Conservation translocations for threatened species

Requires authorisation under the NC Act and approval of a Translocation Proposal for threatened fauna conservation translocations.

Contact Department of Environment and Science’s Threatened Species Operations on threatened.species@des.qld.gov.au

The Department of Environment and Science’s Protected Animal Translocation Interim Policy is available from the Department of Environment and Science website.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 3-6 months.

Capture, possess, release, undertake research, import, export wildlife or threatened species

All native birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians are protected, along with some invertebrates (certain butterflies, spiders and scorpions), freshwater fish and the grey nurse shark. Other aquatic species are protected by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Government.

Contact the Department of Environment and Science Permit and Licence Management on email PALM@des.qld.gov.au for assistance.

Find out more about wildlife permits.

Fauna Translocations

Approved translocation plans and take and/or release permits are required for:

  • any translocations of “protected fauna” (see definition under National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972) or other EPBC-listed fish, amphibians and invertebrates
  • translocation of any fauna to and/or from reserves or sanctuaries.

Approvals from the relevant land managers/agencies are also required.

For further information visit the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) website or contact translocation@sa.gov.au

Conservation translocations also require a:

  • scientific research permit
  • research and teaching licence
  • Animal Ethics Committee approval.

Translocations involving movement of protected animals into and/or out of South Australia also require an import and/or export permit from DEW.

Estimated assessment timeframe:

  • 8-12 weeks for assessment of translocation plan
  • 4 weeks for scientific research permit.

Translocations involving collection of native plant material

Requires a permit to collect native plant material (removing material without causing substantial damage or death to the plant) from public land or sanctuaries.

A research permit may also be required.

For further information see DEW website or contact DEWfaunapermitsunit@sa.gov.au.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 4 weeks.

Translocations involving removal of native plants

Removal of (or damage to) native plants may require vegetation clearance approval.

For further information see: DEW website or contact nvc@sa.gov.au.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 10 weeks.

Translocations of aquatic resources

Translocations involving the movement of fish or aquatic plants also require approval from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).

For further information: PIRSA website.

All translocations of native species including those that are listed as threatened or extinct in the wild, and native species listed as priority or otherwise of conservation significance

All translocations are required to be approved under Corporate Guideline no. 36 Recovery of Threatened Species Through Translocation and Captive breeding or Propagation.

This is approved by the Executive Director, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.

The translocation proposal must demonstrate the support of relevant landowners. In the case of lands managed by the department under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, this access is obtained through the relevant Regional Manager.

Estimated assessment timeframe: 3-6 months.

To take fauna, and to import or export fauna

Activities are regulated under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018.

Forms for these activity types are available through the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions

If the fauna is threatened fauna, Ministerial Authorisation is required.

To take flora

Threatened flora, and all flora on Crown land is protected and requires a flora license.

Find out more on threatened flora authorisations.

Any fish or pearl oyster that is the subject of activities managed under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994

Contact the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development.

Applies to translocations of native wildlife into, out of, or within the Northern Territory of Australia for the purposes of biodiversity conservation or scientific research

All native wildlife translocations require:

  • endorsement of translocation proposal from the Executive Director Flora and Fauna (Department Environment, Parks and Water Security)
  • Approval of permit to import, release and interfere from Executive Director Parks and Wildlife (Department Environment, Parks and Water Security).

This includes all wild to wild, captive/cultivated to wild and wild to captive/cultivated movements (permanent or temporary).

‘Wildlife’ is defined in section 9 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (the Act) and includes both native plants and animals. The policy is applicable to all government and non-government organisations or individuals proposing to translocate wildlife for conservation purposes.

Information sources:

Contact details:

Estimated assessment timeframe: 3-6 months.

Permits may be required under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 and the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 for translocation activities in Tasmania.

If the proposed activity is to take place on reserved land, an additional authority under the National Parks and Reserves Management Regulations 2019 will also be required.

Permits may be required for fish under the Living Marine Resources Management Act 1995.

Contact:

Estimated assessment timeframe: 3-6 months.

Translocate native fauna and flora that are protected or have special protection status in the ACT

Requires a translocation proposal to be approved by the Conservator of Flora and Fauna.

Information on the approval process as well as a template is available online at: Translocation of native flora and fauna in the ACT

Contact conservatorflorafauna@act.gov.au

Estimated assessment timeframe: 15 working days.

Take, release, native animal, interfere with the nest/burrow of native animal, import or export protected native plant or non-exempt animal, take native plant, damage native tree

May require a license under the Nature Conservation Act 2014.

These are issued by the Licensing & Compliance unit on behalf of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna. Further information is available online at: Licensing of plants and animals.

Contact pcs.licensingandcompliance@act.gov.au

Estimated assessment timeframe: 28 days.

Translocations that are likely to result in a significant impact on a listed threatened species, the environment in a Commonwealth area, or on another matter of National Environmental significance

Refer your translocation for referral and assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EPBC Policy Statement - Translocation of Listed Threatened Species—Assessment under Chapter 4 of the EPBC Act

Contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water:

Possess, take, move, trade a listed threatened, migratory, or marine species in or on a Commonwealth area (lands and waters)

Requires a permit under Part 13 of the EPBC Act

See Listed species and ecological community permits - DCCEEW

Contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water EPBC.permits@dcceew.gov.au

Import to or export from Australia

Generally requires a permit under Part 13A of the EPBC Act

See International wildlife trade - DCCEEW

Contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water Wildlife Trade Office

Conduct scientific research within a Commonwealth Reserve (Marine or National Park)

Australian Marine Parks

Parks Australia

  • Requires a permit issued under Part 12 of the EPBC Act.
  • Depending on the type of research being conducted permits issued under part 8A and/or Part 13 may also be needed. Additionally, separate permits will be required to import and export wildlife and biological material to/from the parks, and approval may be required from other Australian Government departments to conduct research outside of park boundaries.
More information

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