Plant and animal specimens considered to be suitable for live import into Australia are listed on the Live Import List.
We manage applications to amend the list of permitted live animal specimens for import.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) manages the import of live plants is under the Biosecurity Act 2015 unless they are CITES listed. See Importing live plants into Australia for further information.
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:
- Biocontrol agents for invasive species
- Animals for scientific research
- 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.
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.
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.
Scientific name | Common name | Amendment type | Supporting information |
---|---|---|---|
Kryptopterus vitreolus | Part 1 | F2023L01495 - 4/10/2023 Department Risk Analysis (PDF 873 KB) | (DOCX 1.72 MB) |
|
Ateuchetus laticollis | Dung beetle | Part 1 |
F2023L01385 - 29/11/2022 |
Cheironitis scabrosus |
|||
Copris incertus |
|||
Copris integer | |||
Copris lunaris | |||
Euoniticellus triangulatus | |||
Geotrupes stercorarius | |||
Gymnopleurus humanus | |||
Onitis minutus | |||
Onthophagus medius | |||
Onthophagus nuchicornis | |||
Onthophagus opacicollis | |||
Scarabaeus sacer | |||
Sisyphus schaefferi | |||
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 |
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 |
Use the application form and a standard Terms of Reference below to apply to amend the Live Import List.
Application form
Terms of Reference - Aquatic species
Terms of Reference - Other species
Terms of Reference - Research
Terms of Reference - Biological control agents
Terms of Reference - Australian native animal species
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.