Wildlife trade and conservation

What are the laws?

Image generously supplied by the Australian Picture Library

The import of live animals into Australia is controlled by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), administered by the Department of the Environment and Heritage, and the Quarantine Act 1908, administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. These laws apply to all importers of live exotic animals.

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Further information about getting a permit to import a live exotic animal into Australia can be found at:

• www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/permits/index.html

Most Australian States and Territories have laws on the private keeping of exotic animals within their borders. Those laws set out the number of animals, types of animals, and conditions under which animals can be kept.

Click on the links below to go to the home page of the agency that regulates the keeping of exotic animals in your State or Territory:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT
• QLD
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA