Do I need a permit?

Are you moving animals or plants, or their parts and derivatives, to or from Australia?

The steps on this page will help you work out if you need a permit to import or export your wildlife specimens.

Australia strictly controls the international movement of wildlife specimens (animals or plants, or their parts and derivatives). In many cases, in order to move wildlife specimens to or from Australia, you will need a permit issued by the Department.

When applying for and using a wildlife permit you must comply with all relevant permit conditions. Conditions vary depending on the circumstances of your trade and the type of permit. Some descriptions of permit types and associated obligations are included on the What to do with your permit page.

Some permit types also include application fees. You can read more about these on our Fees page.

Is the species regulated?

To understand what, if any, permit requirements apply to your situation you will first need to find out if the specimen is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) or is an Australian native species or confirm if it is neither.

Read the information below and select the option that best describes your specimen(s).

CITES

You can check if your specimen is subject to CITES regulations by checking the scientific name of the species on the CITES Species+ website. If the species is CITES listed the CITES Species+ website will provide the following important information which you should make note of:

  1. What appendix of CITES the species is listed under (Appendix I, II or III)?
  2. The date the species was first listed under CITES.
  3. If the species is listed under Appendix III, which country listed it?

(Note: If your specimen is both CITES-listed and an Australian native species you must apply for a CITES permit)

Native

You can check if your specimen is native to Australia by checking the Atlas of living Australia (note: in most cases you can search the list using a common name such as ‘kangaroo’).

(Note: If your specimen is both CITES-listed and an Australian native species you must apply for a CITES permit)

Neither

Many live animals (including insects and other invertebrates) that are not listed under CITES and are not native to Australia require an import permit from the Department to be imported into Australia.

For live animal imports the species must be listed on the Live Import List. More about the requirements under the list can be found on our Live Import List page.

Is the species regulated?
What appendix of CITES is the species listed under?

Appendix I

Appendix I is the most strictly regulated category under CITES containing the species most threatened by, or susceptible to, the effects of trade. You can read more about Appendix I listings in our CITES page.

Is the specimen a live animal or plant?

My specimen is a live animal or plant

Live specimens of species listed on Appendix I of CITES can only be imported into or exported from Australia for the non-commercial purposes of conservation breeding, education or research. For live animals you must meet strict Australian standards and animal welfare requirements to be granted a permit for these purposes.

Further information is provided by our research, education and zoos pages.

For live animal imports the species must also be listed on the Live Import List. More about the requirements under the list can be found on our Live Import List page.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is a non-live animal or plant

What is the purpose of my trade?

My specimen is a personal item (not being traded)

Vintage specimens and items containing specimens listed under Appendix I of CITES can only be imported into or exported from Australia for personal use if the specimen is not alive and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species underbCITES.

Personal non-vintage specimens and items containing specimens listed under Appendix I of CITES cannot be exported from Australia.

If the specimen you wish to import or export is not live and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES you will need a pre-Convention certificate to import or export the specimen. Pre-Convention certificates must travel with the specimen when it is shipped to or from Australia.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a pre-Convention export certificate.

Apply for a certificate

If you are importing into Australia the pre-Convention certificate will need to be issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export .

You can read more about pre-Convention requirements on our travellers and vintage pages.

My specimen is being shipped for commercial trade

Vintage specimens and items containing specimens listed on Appendix I of CITES can only be imported into or exported from Australia for commercial purposes if the specimen is not alive and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES

Non-vintage specimens and items containing specimens listed under Appendix I of CITES cannot be exported from Australia for commercial purposes.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a pre-Convention export certificate.

Apply for a permit

If you are importing into Australia the pre-Convention certificate will need to be issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export .

You can read more about pre-Convention requirements on our vintage page.

My specimen is being shipped for non-commercial trade (research, education or exhibition)

You will need an Australian permit to import or export vintage and non-vintage specimens listed on Appendix I of CITES for these purposes.

You can read more about the requirements of this permit on our research, education and museum and exhibition pages.

Apply for a permit

Appendix II

Appendix II of CITES contains the species that, although not threatened with extinction now, might become so unless trade in them is strictly regulated. You can read more about Appendix II listings on our CITES page.

To assist in the effective regulation of sustainable trade, Australia has chosen to adopt a stronger position by applying stricter domestic measures than required by CITES for these species.

This includes always requiring import permits for the import of CITES Appendix II listed specimens (except personal and household effects). You can read more about whether you can apply the personal and household effects exemption to your specimen by selecting the second option related to personal baggage below.

Australia’s stricter domestic measures also treat some Appendix II species as Appendix I, and place conditions on others. Before continuing please check if your specimen is covered by one of these stricter domestic measures using the stricter domestic measure section on our CITES page.

II. Is the specimen a live animal or plant?

My specimen is a live animal or plant

Plants

Live plants listed on Appendix II of CITES can be imported into and exported from Australia if accompanied by relevant import and export permits.

Live plants being exported from Australia for commercial purposes must come from an approved commercial source program.

Live plants being exported from Australia for non-commercial purposes are limited to those for the following non-commercial purposes: research, exhibition and education.

If you are importing into Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES import permit and provide a CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export with your application.

Apply for a permit

 

Animals

Import of live animals listed on Appendix II of CITESinto Australia for non-commercial purposes are limited to research, exhibition (and zoos), education and as household pets.

Export of live animals listed on Appendix II of CITES from Australia for non-commercial purposes are limited to research and exhibition (and zoos).

You must meet strict Australian standards and animal welfare requirements to be granted a permit for these purposes.

If you are importing into Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES import permit and provide with your application a CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export .

The species must also be listed on the Live Import List. More about the requirements under the list can be found on our Live Import List Page.

Live Australian native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians cannot be exported from Australia for commercial purposes regardless of their status on CITES

Live native invertebrates and fish listed on Appendix II of CITES being exported from Australia for commercial purposes must come from an approved commercial source program.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is a non-live animal or plant

II. What is the purpose of my trade?

My specimen is a personal item (not being commercially traded) being shipped by post or freight

If your specimen is not pre-Convention you will need a permit to import or export specimens listed on Appendix II of CITES for this purpose.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES export permit.

If you are importing into Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES import permit and provide with your application a CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export .

Apply for a certificate

My specimen was acquired or deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES

If the specimen you wish to import or export is not live and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES (vintage) you will need a pre-Convention certificate to import or export the specimen.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for the pre-Convention export certificate.

If you are importing into Australia the pre-Convention certificate will need to be issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export . Pre-Convention certificates must travel with the specimen when it is shipped to or from Australia.

You can read more about pre-Convention requirements on our vintage page.

Apply for a certificate

My specimen is a personal item (not being commercially traded) being carried in my personal baggage

There are personal and household effects exemptions for the import or export of some specimens listed under Appendix II of CITES. You may not require a permit to import or export personal items that are carried with you in your luggage, or if they are household effects being imported or exported as part of a household move. You can read more about these exemptions and if they apply to you on our travellers page.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for commercial trade

My specimen was acquired or deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES (the specimen is vintage)

If the specimen you wish to import or export is not a live and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES (vintage) you will need a pre-Convention certificate to import or export the specimen.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for the pre-Convention export certificate. Specimens being exported from Australia for commercial purposes must come from an approved commercial source program.

If you are importing into Australia the pre-Convention certificate will need to be issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export. Pre-Convention certificates must travel with the specimen when it is shipped to or from Australia.

You can read more about pre-Convention requirements on our vintage page.

Apply for a certificate

My specimen was NOT acquired or deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES

If your specimen is not pre-Convention you will need a permit to import or export specimens listed on Appendix II of CITES for this purpose.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES export permit. Specimens being exported from Australia for commercial purposes must come from an approved commercial source program.

If you are importing into Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES import permit and provide with your application a CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for non-commercial trade (research or exhibition)

My specimen was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES(the specimen is vintage)

If the specimen you wish to import or export is not a live and was acquired or was deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES (vintage) you will need a pre-Convention certificate to import or export the specimen.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for the pre-Convention export certificate.

If you are importing into Australia the pre-Convention certificate will need to be issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export. Pre-Convention certificates must travel with the specimen when it is shipped to or from Australia.

You can read more about the requirements of this permit on our research and museum and exhibition pages.

Apply for a certificate

My specimen was NOT acquired or deceased prior to the first listing date of the species under CITES

If your specimen is not pre-Convention you will need a permit to import or export specimens listed on Appendix II of CITES for this purpose.

If you are exporting the specimen from Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES export permit.

If you are importing into Australia you will need to apply to the Department for a CITES import permit and provide a CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export with your application.

Apply for a permit

You can read more about the requirements of this permit on our research and museum and exhibition pages.

Appendix III

Appendix III of CITES contains species that are not necessarily threatened by extinction globally, but may be threatened by trade in another CITES member country. In these instances, the member country has listed the species on Appendix III as a way to help control and monitor the effects of trade for that species. You can read more about Appendix III on our CITES page.

Is the specimen from a country that listed the species on CITES?

My specimen is from the country that listed the species on CITES

If the specimen comes from the country that listed the species, you will need an import permit from the Department. You will also need to provide the CITES export permit issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export with your import permit application.

If you are importing a live animal - even if it is your personal pet - it must also be listed on the Live Import List. You can check for your species and read more about the requirements on our Live Import List and household pets pages.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is NOT from the country who listed the species on CITES

If the specimen comes from a country other than the listing country, you will need an import permit from the Department. You will also need to provide a copy of the CITES certificate of origin issued by the CITES Management Authority of the country of export with your import permit application.

If you are importing a live animal it must also be listed on the Live Import List even if it is your personal pet. You can check for your species and read more about the requirements on our Live Import List and household pets pages.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is an Australian native species

All exports of Australian native plants and animals require an export permit unless the specimens being exported are on the list of exempt native specimens (LENS).

Specimens included on the list (in the exact form listed and subject to stated conditions) may be allowed to be exported without a permit.

The exemption does not include live native animals or CITES specimens.

Before continuing you should read more about the LENS on our Australian natives page and check if your species is exempt.

Is your specimen live

My specimen is live

What type of specimen is it?

My specimen is a household pet

The export of live native animals and plants is strictly regulated for conservation and welfare reasons. Only the following species and quantities of Australian native animals may be exported as household pets:

A maximum of three pet birds (in total from the following species):

  • Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
  • Galah (Eolophus roseicapillus)
  • Little corella (Cacatua saguinea), and
  • Long-billed corella (Cacatua tenuirostris).

Any non-commercial quantity of pet birds of the following species:

  • Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
  • Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates).

No other native animal may be exported under the household pet provisions of the EPBC Act.

You can read more about importing and exporting pets on our household pets page.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for non-commercial trade (research or exhibition or a plant for personal use)

Export of live native animals from Australia for non-commercial purposes are limited to the purposes of research or exhibition.

You will need a permit to export specimens listed for these purposes. You must meet strict Australian standards and animal welfare requirements to be granted a permit.

Live plants exported from Australia for non-commercial purposes may be exported for research, exhibition or personal use.

Further information is provided by our research and zoos pages.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for commercial trade

Export of live native Australian mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians for commercial purposes is prohibited. You can read more about this restriction on our Australian natives page.

Live plants, fish and invertebrates exported from Australia for commercial purposes must come from an approved commercial source program.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is not live

What is the purpose of my trade (non-live specimen)?

My specimen is a personal item (not being traded)

Exports of non-live native animals or plants (or parts or products containing them) may be permitted for some non-commercial uses when accompanied by an export permit.

You can read more about the criteria and requirements needed to qualify for non-commercial personal uses on our traveler page.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for commercial trade

The export of products or specimens containing Australian native species for commercial purposes is permitted where the specimen comes from an approved commercial source program, and is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Department.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is being shipped for non-commercial trade (research or exhibition)

Exports of native animals or plants (or products containing them) may be permitted for some non-commercial uses when accompanied by an export permit.

You will need a permit to export specimens listed for these purposes. You must meet strict Australian standards and animal welfare requirements to be granted a permit.

You can read more about the criteria and requirements needed to qualify for non-commercial uses on our research, museum and vintage pages.

Apply for a permit

My specimen is NOT listed under CITES and is NOT an Australian native species

Please note you do not need a wildlife trade permit from this Department for a specimen that isn’t an animal or plant, or made from or derived from an animal or plant.

Is your specimen alive?

My specimen is alive

Please note that for the purposes of trade live specimens include viable reproductive materials.

My live specimen is...

A household pet

You do not require a permit from the Department for non-native non-CITES domestic pets you own personally.

However, only species included on the list of specimens taken to be suitable for live import (the live import list) may be imported live into Australia. Species not included on this list cannot be legally imported into Australia. You can check for your species and read more about the requirements under the list on our Live Import List page.

You will need to check whether there are additional requirements to meet for other Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Department of Home Affairs or state and territory governments.

You can read more about importing and exporting pets on our household pets page.

To be imported for a biological control project

These are organisms’ being considered as biological controls for invasive pests. These require a permit from the Department to be brought into Australia for testing.

For more information see the biological control agents section of the Live Import List page.

Apply for a permit

To be imported for another purpose

Only species included on the live import list may be imported live into Australia. Species not included on the list cannot be legally imported into Australia.

Further information on live imports can be found on our Live Import List page.

Apply for a permit

To be exported for another purpose

You do not require a permit from the Department to export live non-CITES non–native animals or plants or derived products.

You will need to check whether there are additional requirements to meet for other Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Department of Home Affairs or state and territory governments.

My specimen is not live

You do not require a wildlife trade permit from the Department to import or export non-live non-CITES, non-Native animals or plants or derived products.

You may need to speak with the authorities in the destination country, other Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Australian Border Force or state and territory government agencies regarding any additional requirements they may have.