Household pets
Exporting and importing household pets
Non–native household pets—leaving Australia
Household pets may be taken out of Australia, depending on the type of pet.
- If your pet is not a native animal, and is not on the CITES list, it can usually leave Australia.
- If your pet is not a native animal, but is on the CITES list you will need to:
- obtain an export permit, and
- check the permit and quarantine requirements of the importing country.
Non–native household pets—coming to Australia
Live import list
Species that may be imported live into Australia are included on the list of specimens taken to be suitable for live import - the live import list.
Species not included on the live import list cannot be imported into Australia.
Household pets may be allowed into Australia:
- Animals on Part 1 of the live import list and not on Appendix II or III of the CITES list do not require a permit from the federal environment department.
- Animals on Part 1 or 2 of the live import list and also on Appendix II or III of the CITES list will require a permit from the federal environment department.
- Animals on Part 2 of the live import list require a permit.
Quarantine requirements
Please also check quarantine requirements with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
Exporting native household pets
In general, Australian native animals are not permitted to leave Australia. This is to protect and conserve Australian native wildlife.
But you may be able to take some native pets overseas as long as they will not be used for commercial purposes such as selling or trading. If you would like to take your pet with you when you leave Australia, you must:
- be an Australian resident or ordinarily reside in Australia
- have owned and kept the animal as a household pet
- be leaving Australia with the intention of taking up permanent residence in another country.
Native household pets that may be taken internationally are listed below. All have a limit of three animals, except budgerigars and cockatiels, which are limited to a non-commercial quantity:
- Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
- Galah (Eolophus roseicapillus)
- Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
- Long-billed corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
- Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
- Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).
Pet fish and pet cockroaches/spiders can be exported if sourced from an approved source.
No other native Australian animal may be taken outside Australia as a household pet.
Permit applications
For application forms and how to apply see: Household pets—Wildlife trade permits.
See also
See also
Native household pets
Some native household pets can be taken internationally
Wildlife trade regulation
Exports and imports of plants and animals (including products) may be subject to regulation under the following legislation:
EPBC Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Customs Act 1901
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
Quarantine Act 1908
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service