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Keeping and Trading Wildlife in Victoria

In Victoria, we are privileged to be able to keep and sell a diverse range of wildlife. However, there are certain responsibilities that come with this privilege. The protection of wildlife in the wild and compliance with the wildlife laws in Victoria are two such responsibilities.

Wildlife Licences

The types of licences required to keep or sell wildlife in Victoria are:

• Commercial licences
• Private licences
• Research permits
• Import and export permits
• Permits to take or release wildlife.

With each of these licences there are additional requirements for Licence Amendments & Record Keeping.

If you have any questions about import and export permits or permits to take and release wildlife, please contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or by email: customer.service@dse.vic.gov.au

Wildlife in the Community

For further information about Wildlife in the community, please choose from the following links:

• Interest Groups
• Wildlife in Schools
• Wildlife in TV Films or Theatre

What is 'wildlife'?

In Victoria, wildlife is defined under the Wildlife Act 1975:

• any vertebrate animal (other than humans) which is indigenous to Australia (or its territorial waters) whether or not it occurs elsewhere
• all kinds of deer, non-indigenous quail, pheasants and partridges and any other animal which the Governor in Council declares to be wildlife
• any kind of terrestrial invertebrate animal listed as 'threatened' under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Victoria’s Wildlife Laws

In addition to compliance with the conditions of a wildlife licence, the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Wildlife Regulations 2002, a licence holder must also comply with any relevant State or Federal legislation or by-laws or other requirements of the relevant local council. Always read the conditions of any licence or permit issued to you, to ensure you fully understand what you may or may not be authorised to do.

• Wildlife Officers
• Wildlife Possession & Trade Advisory Committee

If you have any questions about Victoria's wildlife laws, please contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or by email: customer.service@dse.vic.gov.au

Laws in other States

Different laws apply in each Australian State or Territory with respect to wildlife. Particular care should be taken to check with the appropriate wildlife authorities interstate before moving wildlife between States. Before you import wildlife into Victoria, check with the interstate wildlife authority to find out if you also have to get a matching export permit from them. Before you export wildlife out of Victoria, check with the interstate wildlife authority to find out if you also have to get a matching import permit from them.