Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) are the largest Australian native bird.
Emus can be bred commercially for their meat, skin, oil, eggs and feathers. All birds used for commercial emu farming must be derived from farm-reared or captive stock.
Emus are protected in New South Wales by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). It is illegal to take emus or emu eggs from the wild.
When you need a licence
You need a biodiversity conservation licence, granted under the BC Act, to farm emus for commercial purposes.
An emu farmer licence allows you to possess, buy or sell live captive emus and emu eggs.
When you don’t need a licence
You don’t need a licence to possess, buy or sell the meat, skin, oil or other products derived from an emu that was lawfully killed for the purposes of sale.
Apply for an emu farmer licence
To apply for a licence to farm emus, contact us at [email protected] to obtain an application form.
As part of your application, you’ll need to describe the premises on which you intend to farm emus, including details of fencing and other facilities. Prospective emu farming premises will be inspected before a licence is granted.
A licence will cost $400 and the licence term is one year.
Throughout the period of your licence, you must record the movement of each emu in and out of the premises. We will provide you with a record book. Contact us at [email protected].
You need to submit your records to us at the end of the term of your licence.
You’ll also need to include your records with your application to renew or cancel your licence. If you fail to provide annual records your licence renewal application may be refused.
To hold a licence, you must comply with the Emu Farmer Licence Conditions (PDF 134KB).
This requires you to follow criteria relating to stock origin, establishment and maintenance of the premises on which you intend to farm emus, including enclosures, and animal welfare.
In addition, you need to comply with the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Husbandry of Captive-bred Emus. This code covers basic requirements for the wellbeing of farmed emus, including protection from predators, disease, extremes of climate, as well as pain, distress, suffering and injury.
You are also required to maintain an up-to-date emu record book.
We will forward you a licence renewal notice before the expiry date of your licence, but the onus is on you to renew.
Renewals cost $250 for one year.
Renewal of your licence is dependent upon submission of your annual records.
Other licence types you may need
As a licensed emu farmer, if you intend to import live emus into New South Wales or export them out of the state, you will need to apply for an import/export licence each time you intend to move animals interstate.
Sell and trade emus
Within Australia, emus and emu eggs may only be bought or sold from or to people with a New South Wales or interstate licence to possess and/or trade emus or emu eggs.
To export emu products overseas, a wildlife export permit is required in addition to our emu farming licence. These permits are granted by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.