Live animals may be imported and exported for zoo purposes (such as exhibition and/or breeding), where they meet strict requirements, including animal welfare requirements. In particular, there are some restrictions and requirements for specific Australian native species and for specimens listed on different appendices of CITES:
- You can check if your species is listed on CITES, and which Appendix it is listed on, by checking Species+.
- You can find out if the species you wish to export is native to Australia by checking the Atlas of Living Australia.
Some animals have been assessed for entry into Australia while others are not permitted entry:
- You can check if your species is listed on the Live Import list by visiting our Live Import List page.
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Exhibition purposes
Live Australian native animals, live CITES Appendix II animals, and animals listed on Part II of the Live Import List may be imported or exported for non-commercial zoo exhibition purposes, where:
- the exhibition presents information with a cultural, scientific or conservation content
- it does not belong to a CITES Appendix I species (see conservation breeding purposes below)
- the specimen will not be used for commercial purposes after it is no longer needed for exhibition
- the specimen is not needed for conservation breeding or propagation by the exporting country
- if possible, the specimen comes from a captive animal or artificially propagated plant
- for a specimen listed as a threatened species, the export is not inconsistent with any recovery plan for the species
- for a live export of a koala, platypus, wombat or Tasmanian devil, or an animal of an eligible listed threatened species, the exporter, the importer and the Australian Government enter into an agreement about the treatment and disposal of the animal and/or any progeny of the animal.
Please be aware that you will need to provide documentary evidence that all the above requirements are met, and you may require a facility assessment (see ‘Facility assessment’ heading below).
Conservation breeding purposes
Animals may be imported or exported for conservation breeding purposes where:
- the animal will be used as part of an approved cooperative conservation program
- for a specimen listed as a threatened species the export is not inconsistent with any recovery plan for the species
- for a live export of a koala, platypus, wombat or Tasmanian devil, or another EPBC-listed threatened species, the exporter, the importer and the Australian Government enter into an agreement about the treatment and disposal of the animal and/or any progeny of the animal.
Please be aware that you will need to provide documentary evidence that all the above requirements are met, and you may require a facility assessment (see ‘Facility assessment’ heading below).
Export of Australian native wildlife
The Australian Government takes the export of its native Australian animals seriously. Many native Australian animals are known for their complex biological and behavioural needs, and for this reason, there are strict requirements for the veterinary care, housing, feeding, transport and keeper training that need to be in place prior to export.
The Australian Government has responsibility for issuing permits to export native animals. However, the Government does not have a role in animal acquisition. We recommend that overseas zoos that are seeking Australian animals for their collections contact zoos within Australia to determine the availability of suitable animals under their care.
For the export of koalas, wombats, platypus and Tasmanian devils, or any live animal of a listed threatened species, the exporter, importer and the Australian Government must enter into an agreement about the housing and treatment of the animals and their progeny, known as an Ambassador Agreement. These requirements ensure that the receiving facility is suitably-qualified to care for the animals.
Specific export conditions also apply to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils, wallabies and listed threatened species. You can find these in the section below. Please note that some conditions specify that specimens must be transferred with native food sources such as eucalyptus branches. Any Australian native plant exported as the food source will also require a wildlife trade permit and you should include it on your permit application.
Conditions for the overseas transfer of Australian native animals
Specific conditions apply to the export from Australia of certain Australian native animals. Currently, such conditions apply to the export of koalas, wombats and macropods (kangaroos, wallabies and allies). Permit applications for these species will need to demonstrate that the relevant conditions have been met.
Facility assessments
Facility assessments are required for all imports and exports of live mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. A facility assessment is an evaluation of the suitability of a facility to meet the behavioral and biological needs of a specific species.
You can find the full criteria for facility assessments on the Facility assessment page.
Recognised zoological organisations
Only organisations that are open to the general public for the primary, but not necessarily exclusive purpose of educational exhibition of wildlife, can apply to import or export CITES species and Australian native species.
Please see ‘Application forms and guidelines’ on this page. The information requested is for the Department to ensure organisations are suitably equipped to:
- manage, confine and care for internationally traded animals, including their behavioural and biological needs;
- suitably equipped to:
- exhibit and present information with a cultural, scientific or conservation content, or
- provide for conservation breeding under a program based on the conservation status and conservation needs of the species, operated in a way that applies best practice management of husbandry, genetics, biology and behavioural needs, and in accordance with the program’s objectives.