Live Import 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 it 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 means embryo, egg, sperm of an animal or any other part/product from which another animal could be produced.

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 Minister for the Environment and Water 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 is not already on the list.

We manage 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. All other specimens in the order in which they are received.

Read the process to amend the Live Import List to include a live specimen.

• Invitations to comment - Draft reports for amendments to the Live Import List

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

Amending the Live Import List to include new aquatic species

We have adopted the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) mode, a taxon-generic decision-support tool, for all aquatic species including freshwater fish. Please use the Terms of Reference for Aquatic species for all aquatic species applications.

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

At this time, you can import eligible pet psittacine bird species into Australia from New Zealand; pet birds from other countries cannot be imported (see Importing your pet bird - DAFF). For this reason, we will accept applications to amend the Live Import List to include psittacine specimens only from applicants based in New Zealand wishing to import their parrot as a household pet.

DAFF is reviewing its biosecurity policy in relation to the import of psittacines (see Animal Biosecurity Advice 2023-A03: Members of the scientific advisory group to consider the import risk review for psittacine birds from all countries). Our policy to accept only applications from applicants based in New Zealand will be reviewed and amended if required once the DAFF review has been completed.

Importing Hybrid Animals into Australia

The import of live animals into Australia is regulated by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, administered by us and the Biosecurity Act 2015, administered by DAFF. 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. Registration of a hybrid created by crossing a domestic animal, such as a cat (Felis catus) or dog (Canis lupus familiaris), with a wild animal by registration bodies as a cat or dog breed is not accepted by the department as evidence the animal is not a hybrid. The only hybrid on the Live Import List is the mule/hinny (horse x donkey).

We are updating the guidance on the import of live hybrid animals, including Bengal cats. 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 Household pets page.

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

Applicants must contact DAFF Plant Biosecurity to discuss their application before submitting it. 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 to us prior to applying for a testing permit. The application form for amending the Live Import List can be found in the Application forms and standard Terms of Reference.

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 within 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).

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.

Species rejected for inclusion on the Live Import List

* 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

Use the application form and a standard Terms of Reference below to apply to amend the Live Import List.

Application form

(PDF 243 KB) | (DOCX 100 KB)

Terms of Reference - Aquatic species

(PDF 287 KB) | (DOCX 86 KB)

Terms of Reference - Other species

(PDF 273 KB) | (DOCX 103 KB)

Terms of Reference - Research

(PDF 271 KB) | (DOCX 111 KB)

Terms of Reference - Biological control agents

(PDF 219 KB) | (DOCX 99.6 KB)

Terms of Reference - Australian native animal species

(PDF 261 KB) | (DOCX 105 KB)

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