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Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

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  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. International wildlife trade
  4. Live Import List

Sidebar first - EN - Wildlife trade

  • Wildlife trade
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Live Import List

Plant and animal specimens considered to be suitable for live import into Australia are listed on the Live Import List.

  • Live Import List

The Department manages applications to amend the list of permitted live animal specimens for import.

Imports of plants are managed under the Biosecurity Act 2015 Importing live plants into Australia unless they are CITES listed.

Click on a heading below or Show all | Hide all

About the List

The Live Import List consists of two parts:

  • Part 1 contains specimens that can be brought into Australia without a permit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
  • Part 2 contains specimens that require a permit under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 from the department before being permitted for import into Australia. Conditions and restrictions may be imposed on any imports of these specimens.

If a specimen is included on the Live Import List it can be imported as either a whole organism or as reproductive material.

If a live specimen is not included on the Live Import List then the specimen cannot be imported.

Be aware that you may also require other government permits before being permitted to import a live plant or animal into Australia.

Please note that Australian native species cannot be imported into Australia unless included on the Live Import List.

Definitions

As defined in national environment law (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999):

  • Animal means any member, alive or dead, of the animal kingdom (other than a human being).
  • Live animal includes the live animal and any viable reproductive material.
  • Animal reproductive material = embryo, egg, sperm of an animal or any other part/product from which another animal could be produced.

Amending the List

If a specimen is not on the Live Import List, the list must be amended to include that specimen before it can be imported.

Anyone, whether a member of the public, a public or private institution or a commercial enterprise, can apply to the Australian Government Environment Minister to amend the Live Import List to include a new specimen.

Before applying to amend the Live Import List to add a specimen, check that the specimen you wish to bring into Australia is not already on the List. This initial check will save time if the specimen you are seeking to import is already on the List.

The Department manages applications to amend the Live Import List to include animals. Amendments to the Live Import List can take several years to process. Applications are assessed in the following order of importance:

  1. Biocontrol agents for invasive species
  2. Animals for scientific research
  3. Zoo animals
  4. Animals for commercial trade
  5. Animals for the pet trade

The process to amend the Live Import List is summarised at: Flowchart of the process for applications to amend the live import list to include animals.

  • Invitations to comment - Draft reports for amendments to the live import list

Any enquiries about amending the Live Import List to include new species should be sent to exotic.species@awe.gov.au

Amending the Live Import List to include new species of freshwater fish

The department has adopted the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) model for all freshwater fish applications. Please use the Terms of Reference (ToR) for Freshwater Fish for all freshwater fish species applications.

Amending the Live Import List to include new species of psittacine birds

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is reviewing the biosecurity risks associated with importing psittacine birds and proposes conditions under which imports may be allowed. This has led to inquiries about adding new species of psittacine birds to the Live Import List. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) does not propose to assess applications to add new psittacine birds until the DAFF review is completed and a decision made.

Hybrids

Importing Hybrid Animals into Australia

The import of live animals into Australia is regulated by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Biosecurity Act 2015, administered by the Department. These laws apply to all importers of live animals.

Hybrid animals must be assessed for inclusion on the Live Import List. This includes hybrid pet breeds. The only hybrid on the Live Import List is the mule/hinny (horse x donkey).

The Department is updating the Guidance on the Import of Live Hybrid Animals. The revised Guidance will be made available for public comment before it is finalised. During this period, the Guidance on the import of live hybrid animals remains in effect. You can consult this advice below.

  • Guidance on the import of live hybrid animals

You can read more about our advice on hybrid pets (e.g. Bengal cats) on the Pet page.

Biological Control Agents

The processes for importing animal biological control agents are conducted by the Department. Please read this information in conjunction with the guidelines: Protocol for biological control agents

Applicants must contact Plant Biosecurity, to discuss their application before submitting an application. Applicants may need an import permit prior to bringing the specimens into Australia.

  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Biosecurity

An application to amend the Live Import List must be submitted prior to applying for a testing permit. The application form for amending the Live Import List can be found in the ‘Amending the list’ section of this page.

Testing permits allow the importation of specimens into quarantine-approved facilities for conducting tests to obtain information for assessing potential impacts of the species on the Australian environment. A testing permit will only be issued if it can be demonstrated that the information cannot be obtained without conducting the tests in Australia.

A testing permit may allow a single consignment or multiple consignments of the species to be imported for testing over a period of six months.

Note: if the species is undescribed, or there is doubt about its taxonomy, a voucher specimen or specimens of the most readily identifiable stage must be lodged at a recognised institution (e.g. the Australian National Insect Collection or a State Agricultural Insect Collection or Museum) prior to permits being issued. Please provide the name of the species in the following form: Genus name, sp. 'collection location' (Institution, voucher specimen number).

Outcomes to requests to amend the list

Approved amendments to the Live Import List

The most recent amendments are in the table below. All amendments are on the Federal Register of Legislation: List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import.

Scientific name Common name Amendment type Supporting information
Andinoacara pulcher of minimum length 3 cm SL blue acara Part 1 - Updating the names of 24 species of freshwater fish F2023L00096 - 27/01/2023

Barbodes everetti

clown barb

Barbodes lateristriga

spanner barb

Barbodes semifasciolatus minimum length 3 cm SL

golden barb, Chinese barb

Dawkinsia arulius

longfin barb, Arulius barb

Dawkinsia filamentosa

blackspot barb

Desmopuntius hexazona

tiger barb

Desmopuntius pentazona

five-banded barb

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum

flying fox

Haludaria fasciata

melon barb

Laubuka laubuca

Indian hatchet fish

Leiognathus ruconius

deep pugnose ponyfish

Lepidiolamprologus meeli of minimum length 3 cm SL

African cichlid

Oliotius oligolepis

checkered barb

Pethia conchonius

rosy barb

Pethia cumingii

Cummings barb, two spot barb

Pethia nigrofasciata

ruby barb

Pethia ticto

Ticto barb

Puntigrus partipentazona

tiger barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

tiger barb, Sumatra barb

Striuntius lineatus

striped barb

Sturisomatichthys panamense of minimum length 10 cm SL

armoured catfish

Systomus asoka

Asoka barb

Trichopodus trichopterus

golden gourami, three spot gourami

Varecia rubra red ruffed lemur Part 2 - Import for the purposes of conservation breeding in accordance with subsection 303FF(2).

F2023L00037 - 29/11/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 869 KB) | (DOCX 3.00 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 276 KB) | (DOCX 64 KB)

Drosophila azteca Vinegar Fly, Pomace Fly Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2022L01735 - 29/11/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 1.36 MB) | (DOCX 5.23 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 304 KB) | (DOCX 400 KB)
Drosophila bifasciata Vinegar Fly, Pomace Fly Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2022L01735 - 29/11/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 1.36 MB) | (DOCX 5.23 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 348 KB) | (DOCX 526 KB)
Drosophila eugracilis Vinegar Fly, Pomace Fly Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2022L01735 - 29/11/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 1.36 MB) | (DOCX 5.23 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 312 KB) | (DOCX 129 KB)
Drosophila subobscura Vinegar Fly, Pomace Fly Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2022L01735 - 29/11/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 1.36 MB) | (DOCX 5.23 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 337 KB) | (DOCX 539 KB)
Varanus prasinus Emerald tree monitor Part 2. For eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets. F2022L01434 - 13/10/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 1.05 MB) | (DOCX 5.97 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 461 KB) | (DOCX 158 KB)
Acaciothrips ebneri A gall thrip Part 1 F2022L01396 - 1/10/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 782 KB) | (DOCX 964 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 942 KB) | (DOCX 902 KB)
Stomphastis thraustica A leaf mining moth Part 2. Peru sourced specimens only. F2022L01230 - 02/09/2022
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 861 KB) | (DOCX 980 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 2.56 MB) | (DOCX 9.35 MB)
Mesocricetus auratus Golden Hamster Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2021L01625 - 15/11/2021
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 395 KB) | (DOCX 741 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 175 KB) | (DOCX 49 KB)
Aedes albopictus Asian Tiger Mosquito Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2021L01520 - 11/10/2021
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 447 KB) | (DOCX 5.2 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 387 KB) | (DOCX 1.2 MB)
Hydrotimetes natans A weevil Part 1 F2021L01083 - 21/06/2021
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 2.5 MB) | (DOCX 2.5 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 2.6 MB) | (DOCX 4.4 MB)
Only sterile Cydia pomonella Codling Moth Part 1 F2021L00951 - 03/06/2021
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 705.88 KB) | (DOCX 1.35 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 354.67 KB) | (DOCX 239.21 KB)
Listronotus appendiculatus A weevil Part 1 F2020L01343 - 07/10/2020
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 812.57 KB) | (DOCX 833.35 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 2.03 MB) | (DOCX 2.32 MB)
Glossolepis leggetti of minimum length 4 cm SL Leggett’s Rainbowfish Part 1 F2020L01344 - 01/10/2020
Department 2017 Risk Analysis
(PDF 131 KB) | (DOCX 55.93 KB)
Departments review of 2017 decision
(PDF 208.92 KB) | (DOCX 116.61 KB)
Cornu aspersum Common Garden Snail Part 1 F2020L01154 - 24/08/2020
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 273.23 KB) | (DOCX 2.1 MB)
Applicant One assessment
(PDF 511.98 KB) | (DOCX 995.36 KB)
Applicant Two assessment
(PDF 20.79 KB) | (DOCX 24.97 KB)
Mustela putorius furo Domestic Ferret Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2020L00982 - 14/07/2020
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 434.96 KB) | (DOCX 178.16 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 405.79 KB) | (DOCX 403.03 KB)
Felis concolor Puma Part 2. Eligible non-commercial purposes only excluding household pets. Desexed specimens only. F2020L00890 - 23/06/2020
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 432.6 KB) | (DOCX 1.95 MB)
Applicant One assessment
(PDF 2.42 MB) | (DOCX 2.13 MB)
Applicant Two assessment
(PDF 293.99 KB) | (DOCX 61.35 KB)
Euonthophagus crocatus, Gymnopleurus sturmi and Onthophagus marginalis spp. andalusicus Scarabaeid Dung Beetles Part 1. F2020L00021 - 10/12/2019
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 368.8 KB) | (DOCX 286.29 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 1.05 MB) | (DOCX 1.15 MB)
Mico argentatus Silvery Marmoset Part 2. Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets. F2019L01563 - 06/11/2019
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 261.29 KB) | (DOCX 1.09 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 346.93 KB) | (DOCX 60.65 KB)
Aedes polynesiensis Polynesian Tiger Mosquito Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2019L01039 - 22/07/2019
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF - 330.32 KB) | (DOCX - 126.76 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF - 292.16 KB) | (DOCX - 236.78 KB)
Nothobranchius furzeri Turquoise Killifish Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2019L00626 - 04/04/2019
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 393.28 KB) | (DOCX 2.93 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 292.14 KB) | (DOCX 2.12 MB)
Choeropsis liberiensis Pygmy Hippopotamus Part 2. Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets. F2019L00367 - 04/03/2019
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 273.96 KB) | (DOCX 2.41 MB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 415.73 KB) | (DOCX 1.39 MB)
Labidochromis caeruleus Electric Yellow Cichlid Part 1. F2019L00058 - 19/12/2018
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 339.36 KB) | (DOCX 65.39 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF - 906.74 KB) | (DOCX - 65.39 KB)
Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi A freshwater snail Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2019L00057 - 19/12/2018
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 190.91 KB) | (DOCX 98.66 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 445.15 KB) | (DOCX 119.73 KB)
Cecidochares connexa A gall fly Part 1. F2019L00056 - 19/12/2018
Applicants assessment
(PDF 92.21 KB) | (DOC 39.5 KB)
Okapia johnstoni Okapi Part 2. Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets. F2018L01400 – 17/09/2018
Department Risk Analysis
(PDF 246.4 KB) | (DOCX 243.21 KB)
Applicants assessment
(PDF 349 KB) | (DOCX 2.35 MB)
Litoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2018L01259 – 13/08/2018
Crassostrea gigas
Crassostrea sikamea
Crassostrea virginica
Ostrea edulis
Ostrea conchaphila
Ostrea lurida
Pacific Oyster
Kumamoto Oyster
Atlantic Oyster
European Flat Oyster
Olympia Oyster
Northern Olympia Oyster
Part 2 F2018L00508 – 28/03/2018
Eunectes notaeus Yellow Anaconda Part 2. Male specimens only. Exhibition purposes only. F2018L00507 – 27/03/2018
Eueupithecia vollonoides A geometrid moth Part 1 (taxonomic name change) F2018L00403 – 19/03/2018
Holacanthus clarionensis Clarion angelfish Move from Part 1 to Part 2 F2018L00402 – 12/02/2018
Multiple spp. 20 species of aquarium fish Taxonomic name and description updates F2018L00401 – 12/02/2018
Gryllodes sigillatus Decorated cricket Part 2. Research only. High security facilities only. F2017L00546 - 11/05/2017
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus Fiordland crested penguin Part 2. Eligible non-commercial purpose only, excluding household pets F2017L00064 - 18/01/2017

Species rejected for inclusion on the Live Import List

Scientific name Common name Date of minister's decision
Saguinus labiatus Red-bellied Tamarin 25 May 2021
Otocyon megalotis Bat-eared Fox 10 May 2021
Scleropages formosus* Asian arowana 8 April 2016 (decision reviewed and upheld 4 April 2017)
Scleropages inscriptus* Myanmar arowana 8 April 2016 (decision reviewed and upheld 4 April 2017)
Bombus terrestris large earth bumblebee 22 October 2008
Felis catus x Felis serval Savannah cat 30 July 2008
Pogona vitticeps inland bearded dragon 18 April 2008
Tridacna crocea, Tridacna derasa, Tridacna gigas giant clams 11 October 2007
Scleropages formosus Asian arowana 26 September 2007
Pygocentrus nattereri red piranha 6 September 2007
Mustela putorius Ferret 12 January 2006 (listing as pets reviewed and upheld 14 July 2020)
Streptopelia decaocto collared dove 30 November 2005
Chanos chanos milkfish 27 June 2005
Hypancistrus zebra a catfish 5 April 2005
Cichlasoma sp hybrid blood parrot cichlid 8 December 2004

* A review of the Minister’s decision to not add these two species to the List was conducted and the original decision was confirmed on 4 April 2017.

Notice of extension of time

Scientific name Common name Revised date for minister's decision
No extensions    

Application forms and guidelines

Use the following application form and guidelines to apply to amend the live import list. This application form should be used for all applications except for biological control agents. Please note that there are separate guidelines and terms of reference that can be used when applying for Australian native specimens.

Application to amend the List of Specimens taken to be Suitable for Live Import

(PDF 617 KB) | (DOCX 636 KB)

Guidelines for preparing your assessment report to amend the live import list

(PDF 91.71 KB) | (DOCX 627.86 KB)

Terms of reference - Freshwater Fish

(PDF 282 KB) | (DOCX 85 KB)

Terms of reference - Other species

(PDF 240 KB) | (DOCX 100 KB)


Research Terms of Reference

(PDF 39.45 KB) | (DOCX 616.46KB)


Biological control agents terms of reference

(PDF 78.79 KB) | (DOCX 608.67 KB)


Guidelines for preparing a report for Australian native species

(PDF 57.44 KB) | (DOCX 621.79 KB)

Terms of reference for a report for Australian native animal species

(PDF 32.09 KB) | (DOCX 609.3 KB)

Anyone, whether a member of the public, a public or private institution or a commercial enterprise, can apply to the Australian Government environment minister to amend the Live Import List to include a new specimen.

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Last updated: 06 March 2023

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.