Museums and other exhibitions

This page relates to specimens for exhibition in museums and other display environments.

The import or export of live specimens may be permitted for exhibition, including display in museums or on display for cultural, scientific or conservation purposes. For more information on the display of live animals please see our zoos page.

Apply for a permit

If your specimen is CITES-listed but was acquired or was deceased before its species was first listed under CITES, you can apply for a pre-Convention certificate. You can read more about this on our vintage page.

General exhibition conditions

A permit may only be granted for exhibition purposes where it is demonstrated that you and/or your organisation can satisfy the following requirements:

  • The exhibition presents information with a cultural, scientific or conservation content.
  • If the specimen is a live animal, that it does not belong to a CITES Appendix I species.
  • The specimen will not be used for commercial purposes after it is no longer needed for exhibition.
  • If possible, the specimen comes from a captive animal or artificially propagated plant.

Travelling exhibition conditions

The import or export of specimens may be permitted if they will be for travelling exhibitions. This enables specimens to temporarily leave or enter Australia, provided that the specimens will return to their place of origin.

A permit may only be granted where it is demonstrated that you and/or your organisation can satisfy the following requirements:

  • The travelling exhibition presents information with a cultural, scientific or conservation content.
  • If the specimen is a live animal, that it does not belong to a CITES Appendix I species.
  • If the specimen was imported for a travelling exhibition, that it and any progeny produced after the import are subsequently exported.
  • If the specimen was exported for the purposes of a travelling exhibition, that it and any progeny produced after the export are subsequently imported.

If you are applying to import or export live mammals, reptiles, amphibians or birds you will need to have your facility assessed to determine if it meets the animals’ behavioural and biological needs. You can find out more on our facility assessments page.