Parks Australia
Christmas Island National Park (CINP) is a Commonwealth reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
You will need a permit or approval to carry out scientific research, including archaeological and anthropological research, in this reserve. Depending on the nature and type of research you wish to conduct, you may need several permits.<
Guidelines for research permits (PDF - 151.75 KB) | Guidelines for research permits (DOCX - 3.71 MB)
Please answer the seven questions below to determine the permits you require to conduct your research in Christmas Island National Park.
If you answer Yes to any of questions 1, 2, 3 or 4, you can apply for the relevant permits via Parks Australia Online Services.
If you answer Yes to any of questions 5, 6 or 7, you will need to follow the links below to apply for these permits separately.
If you have any queries please phone +61 8 9164 8700 or email the Natural Resource Manager at christmasislandnp@environment.gov.au.
1. Do you intend to conduct scientific research inside Christmas Island National Park or Pulu Keeling National Park?
If Yes, you will need a permit issued under Part 12 of the EPBC Regulations. Please apply via Parks Australia Online Services.
2. Will your research be done on Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands outside the Christmas Island National Park or Pulu Keeling National Park?
If Yes, you need approval from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The Natural Resource Manager at Christmas Island National Park can assist you in getting this approval.
You do not need to complete a separate application form if you are applying via Online Services.
3. Does your research involve collecting biological resources from the Christmas Island National Park, Pulu Keeling National Park or the surrounding land/water?
If Yes, you will need a permit issued under Part 8A of the EPBC Regulations. You do not need to complete a separate application if you are applying via Online Services.
However, if you are collecting samples for commercial purposes, you will also need to enter into a benefit sharing agreement.
For more information please see accessing biological resources.
4. Will your research involve killing, injuring or taking a member of a protected species, and/or damaging or destroying a nest or dwelling place of a member of a protected species outside Christmas Island National Park or Pulu Keeling National Park?
If Yes, you will need a permit issued under Part 9 of the EPBC Regulations. You do not need to complete a separate application if you are applying via Online Services.
Protected species are groups of native species identified in Schedule 12 of the EPBC Regulations. For more information please see protected species.
5. Will your research involve cetaceans or the killing, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving a member of a listed threatened, migratory or marine species or an ecological community?
If Yes, you may need to apply for a separate permit issued under Part 13 of the EPBC Act.
You do not need this permit if one of the following applies:
- The action is done inside Christmas Island National Park or Pulu Keeling National Park and is authorised under a management plan for the park (please email christmasislandnp@environment.gov.au to see if this applies to your research).
- The species you will impact is listed as threatened under the EPBC Act and the action is undertaken in accordance with a recovery plan that is in force (please email EPBC.permits@environment.gov.au to see if this applies to your research).
For more information or to apply for a permit go to Listed species and ecological communities or Whales, dolphins and porpoises.
You can also search for a listed species on the Species Profile and Threats Database.
6. Do you intend to import or export wildlife?
If Yes, you will need to apply for a separate export permit under Part 13A of the EPBC Act.
For more information or to apply for a permit visit Research.
7. Does your research involve transporting biological material to mainland Australia from Christmas Island or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
If Yes, you will need to apply for a separate import permit from the Department.
For more information or to apply for a permit, please go to Importing goods.