Wildlife trade and conservation
Permit applications, fees and all supporting documentation should be sent to:
Post:
Director, Exotic Species Regulation
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Fax: (02) 6274 1565
Telephone: (02) 6274 2124
Email: exotic.species@environment.gov.au
Most publications are available as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.
If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
The processes for importing animal biological control agents are conducted by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Please read this information in conjunction with the DAFF guidelines:
Applicants must contact Plant Biosecurity, DAFF to discuss their application before submitting an application to DEWHA.
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 single testing permit will allow multiple consignments of the species to be imported for testing over a period of six months.
A separate application to amend the live import list and a report addressing the standard terms of reference must be submitted for each proposed species before a testing permit can be issued.
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).
Applicants will also need an import permit from DAFF prior to bringing the species into Australia.
The application, report and supporting documents can be faxed to the department in order to facilitate the processing of the application. However, permits will not be issued until the fee has been received.
Please note: If you are paying by credit card, a faxed copy of your application and supporting documentation will be sufficient.