Wildlife licences

In New South Wales, you need a licence to keep most native animals as pets.

You need a licence to import or export almost all protected native animals into, or out of, New South Wales.

These licences allow handlers to legally catch and release reptiles (usually snakes) or possums from commercial and residential properties.

Find out how to apply for a licence to preserve and mount an animal for study or display or possess protected animal specimens.

Commercial activities that involve captive-sourced emus and emu eggs need a licence.

For landowners to control native animals posing a threat to safety or causing property damage.

Injured, sick or orphaned native animals require specialised care and treatment to recover and be returned to the wild.

The main goal of kangaroo management in New South Wales is conservation. Native animals are protected in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is an offence to harm, or to buy or sell kangaroos for commercial purposes, without a licence.

Some activities no longer require a licence and are now covered under a regulatory code of practice.

The public register of wildlife licences provides information about different types of licences for managing wildlife interactions.

Some customers can now apply for, renew and manage wildlife licences online.

The way we regulate wildlife management activities in New South Wales is changing.