Private Wildlife Licence guide

The power for the Conservation Regulator to apply these conditions is provided in Section 22(3)(ii) of the Wildlife Act 1975. Note that you may be required to comply with additional individualised conditions set out in your private wildlife licence, so make sure you read your licence carefully.

Keeping and trading wildlife

Wildlife that can be kept under a private wildlife licence

Objective

This regulation sets out which taxa of wildlife can be kept and traded under these licence types, and what the licence allows you to do with those animals.

How to comply

A private wildlife licence holder, whether basic or advanced, can buy or acquire certain species or taxa of captive-bred wildlife to keep. Taxa is the plural of taxon, meaning any formal name in the classification of living organisms (for example, species, genus, family, order, class, phylum).

The wildlife must be kept at the private address listed on the licence, which is usually your home. This is known as the specified premises. The wildlife cannot be displayed publicly, except at approved wildlife events. More information is detailed in Wildlife events.

Unless otherwise specified in the conditions on your licence, a basic licence holder can keep any of the taxa listed in Schedules 2 or 7 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024. Advanced licence holders can keep any of the taxa listed in Schedules 2, 3 or 7. Schedule 3 includes species that have more complex or demanding care requirements, or species that may be less common in legal trade, so are limited to advanced licence holders.

Wildlife listed in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Regulations can be kept without a wildlife licence. While not legally required to be entered into your record book, you do need to maintain proof that these animals come from a lawful source. You can do this by maintaining receipts or other proof of purpose, or by recording any Schedule 4 species in your private wildlife licence record book so that you can show where they came from.

The schedules are found in the Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window). Lists of species from the Wildlife Regulations schedules that are allowed to be kept under a basic or advanced wildlife licence are also available on the Conservation Regulator website(opens in a new window).

• See Wildlife events

• Visit Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window)

• Visit Private wildlife licences(opens in a new window)

Keeping wildlife

Objective

To ensure wildlife are kept in a consistent, safe and appropriate location and are being cared for appropriately.

How to comply

Wildlife must be kept in secure cages or enclosures at the specified premises in accordance with licence conditions. Your specified premises is the address listed on your wildlife licence and is usually your home.

Anyone who possesses living wildlife must provide for the good health and welfare of that wildlife. Your enclosure must provide adequate shelter for your wildlife, prevent escape or injury, protect the wildlife from predators, and restrict access by anyone not authorised under the licence. Wildlife must be able to be readily monitored for health and wellbeing concerns, meaning enclosures must be a reasonable size to allow for this direct supervision. More information about standards of care and enclosure requirements is detailed in Housing and Care.

Emus can be kept under a private wildlife licence, but you can only keep up to 10 emus, as they are listed under Schedule 7 of the Wildlife Regulations. Emus less than four weeks old and emu eggs do not count towards the limit of 10. Emus are large animals that require a lot of space to stay healthy, and can be dangerous for inexperienced owners, especially if they are not used to people. Emus should not be kept alone, so you need space for at least two if you want to keep them. Useful guidance about keeping emus can be found online(opens in a new window).

Any wildlife held under your licence must be kept at the address listed in the licence except where you are:

• Taking the wildlife to a registered vet for treatment, including preventative health checks or microchipping.
• Undertaking a transaction with another licence holder at their specified premises.
• Participating in a wildlife event that has been approved by the Conservation Regulator and allows the wildlife to be possessed, sold, displayed, for example, under the event conditions.

When transporting wildlife for any of the reasons above, you must comply with conditions regulating wildlife transportation. Further information is detailed in Transportation(opens in a new window).

Keeping wildlife at a location other than the premises specified in your licence is a breach of licence conditions and penalties may apply. If you need to keep wildlife at an alternate location, you must seek prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. You can do this by emailing us with details of your request, including:

• Why you need to house your wildlife at another location.
• The species and number of wildlife.
• The proposed duration of the housing at the alternate location.
• Details of appropriate enclosures and facilities at the alternate location.

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Visit Housing wildlife

• Visit Wildlife events

• Visit Transportation(opens in a new window)

• Visit Code of practice for husbandry of captive emus(opens in a new window)

Wildlife transactions

Objective

To ensure the welfare and sustainability of wildlife being possessed or traded. All wildlife transactions are required to be traceable to reduce the illegal possession and trade of wildlife.

How to comply

Before you agree to buy or accept any wildlife from another person or sell or give wildlife to another person, it is your responsibility to make sure that the transaction is legal, meaning the person you are transacting with has an appropriate and valid licence or exemption for the wildlife being transacted. In the event of an unlawful transaction occurring, both parties to the transaction may be culpable of an offence, if appropriate effort is not made to ensure the transaction meets legal requirements.

In most cases, this means determining that the person has the appropriate licence for that species, and that the licence is current and valid. Ask to see the person’s wildlife licence before agreeing to the transaction, regardless of whether the wildlife is being bought, sold, gifted or traded.

In limited circumstances, a person may be an exempt person from holding an appropriate licence or may have written approval from the Conservation Regulator. These written approvals may be either general or only issued for a specific wildlife transaction – so ask to see a copy of the exemption to ensure the transaction is legal before trading wildlife with them.

To confirm an exemption or to seek information about obtaining written approval from the Conservation Regulator, call or email us.

All transactions must be recorded in your record book by the end of the day the transaction happened on. Further information about record keeping is available in Record keeping requirements(opens in a new window). Information on the different types of wildlife licences and which wildlife can be held under each type can be found on our website.

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Visit Record keeping requirements(opens in a new window)

• Visit Private wildlife licences(opens in a new window)

Trade of emus

Most wildlife held under your private licence may be traded with any person or company with a valid wildlife licence. The exception to this is emus: you may purchase Emus from any person legally in possession of them, but you can only dispose of emus to other private licence holders, a person with individual written approval from the Conservation Regulator to acquire the emu, or any zoo run by Zoos Victoria.

Rehoming Wildlife

Many wildlife species have specific care requirements, and some may be quite long-lived if cared for appropriately. This means that keeping wildlife generally requires a significant commitment of time and resources across the lifetime of the animal.

Despite best intentions, wildlife owners may face challenges that make looking after their wildlife tough. This may be due to health reasons, financial hardship, growing responsibilities or other changes in personal circumstances.

Rehoming can be a difficult decision for many, and it is important to prioritise the welfare of the wildlife in your care. The Conservation Regulator has prepared a guide available online(opens in a new window) to assist wildlife keepers to ensure they can legally rehome wildlife while preserving the welfare of the animals.

Visit Rehoming wildlife(opens in a new window)

Minimum period of ownership

Objective

A minimum period of ownership has been established in the Wildlife Regulations to reduce the spread of disease in wildlife collections, as well as prevent commercial trade of wildlife under a private licence. Any acquisition of wildlife should be a well-considered decision, to reduce the risk of wildlife being treated as a commodity, and to ensure that the wildlife can settle into its new surroundings.

How to comply

Do not sell, trade or give away wildlife that has been in your possession for less than 6 months, even if it was bred in your collection.

Wildlife can benefit from occupying familiar enclosures tailored to their requirements, similar to maintaining territory in the wild. Frequent movement can stress wildlife and result in greater incidence of disease.

Wildlife can often carry diseases without showing any symptoms for a long time. The requirement to keep each animal for at least six months before trading allows time for any symptoms to appear, so the animal can be treated before being passed on. This helps reduce the spread of diseases that could affect other wildlife keepers’ animals, as well as wild animals.

If you want to sell or dispose of wildlife before you have had them for six months, you must seek prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. You can do this by emailing the Conservation Regulator with details of your request, including:

• The species, age and condition of the wildlife.
• Where the wildlife was acquired including licence number.
• Why you need to sell or dispose of the wildlife within six months.

You may also apply by completing the form online(opens in a new window).

Your request will be considered, and you will be notified of the outcome in writing. Approval will not be issued retrospectively. Sale or disposal of wildlife you have held for less than six months without prior approval is a breach of licence conditions and penalties may apply.

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Visit Application for secondary permission under a wildlife licence(opens in a new window)

Where can a wildlife transaction take place?

Objective

To ensure that wildlife transactions under your licence occur at a suitable location.

How to comply

A transaction to buy, acquire, receive, sell, or dispose of wildlife can only take place at your specified premises (the address listed on your licence), or the premises of the other party involved in the transaction. You cannot conduct these transactions in a public place, at a business or any location not listed on either licence.

These transactions can be highly stressful for the wildlife and conducting them at unapproved locations increases the risk of wildlife escaping. It is important to keep the process as calm and low-stress as possible for the animals.

For consignment or sending of wildlife, whenever possible, the departure and delivery points should be the licensed premises (in Victoria) or the premises where the wildlife legally resides (if outside Victoria). An animal courier service can help to arrange door-to-door delivery services. See Transportation(opens in a new window) for further information.

Trade outside of Victoria may require an Import and export permit(opens in a new window).

If you are unable to arrange door-to-door consignment, or need to trade at a premises not covered under the above conditions, you can apply for written approval for alternative arrangements by emailing us with details of your request, including:

• Why you are unable to facilitate trade at the specified premises of one of the parties to the transaction.
• The location of the proposed alternative transaction location.
• Why the alternative transaction location has been chosen, and whether it is appropriate for trade of wildlife.
• For consignment, limitations on door-to-door service and the proposed alternative arrangements (for example, pick up and drop off from a courier depot).

• Visit Transportation(opens in a new window)

• Visit Import and export(opens in a new window)

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Wildlife events

Objective

Wildlife interest groups hold public events across Victoria for the display and trade of wildlife. These events allow wildlife licence holders to attend with their wildlife, share knowledge and promote the lawful keeping of wildlife. More information about wildlife events can be found online(opens in a new window).

The Conservation Regulator approves wildlife events under the Wildlife Regulations 2024, so holders of wildlife licences can display, buy, sell, acquire, receive, keep, or possess wildlife in accordance with their licence and the event conditions imposed. Approved wildlife events are listed online(opens in a new window).

To ensure animal welfare, under Wildlife Regulation 113 (3)(c), wildlife events must be approved by the Conservation Regulator and conditions can be specified that apply to the displaying, buying, selling, acquiring, receiving, keeping or possessing of wildlife at the wildlife event.

How to comply

Attend only Conservation Regulator-approved wildlife events. You must meet the event conditions specified in the event approval for the individual event.

You can check Victoria Government Gazette(opens in a new window) and Conservation Regulator(opens in a new window) websites to find approved wildlife events. The notice for an approved event includes:

Name of the event.

• Organiser.
• Date.
• Venue.
• Categories of wildlife licence holders that the event applies to.
• Conditions that event participants must comply with, in addition to existing legal requirements.

You may need to register with the event organiser to attend.

• Visit Wildlife events

• Visit Approved wildlife events(opens in a new window)

• Visit Victoria Government Gazette(opens in a new window)

Display of wildlife

Objective

To ensure wildlife held under a private wildlife licence are kept as companion animals and not unnecessarily exposed to stressful environments.

How to comply

A wildlife basic or advance licence is a private, non-commercial licence. This means that while you may sell or trade wildlife under your licence as you would any other companion animal, the purpose of wildlife being kept must not be for financial gain.

Displaying wildlife held under your wildlife basic or advanced licence to the public must only occur in association with trade at a wildlife event, and you cannot charge for anyone to view your wildlife.

If you wish to hold wildlife for commercial purposes, including displaying wildlife for commercial purposes, it may be more appropriate for you to hold a wildlife demonstrator licence (for travelling display/exhibition), a wildlife displayer licence (for static display/exhibition), or a wildlife dealer licence (for commercial sale of wildlife). See the Conservation Regulator website(opens in a new window) for further information on commercial wildlife licences.

Visit Commercial wildlife licences(opens in a new window)

Exemptions for trade of emu eggs and parts of emus

Objective

To reduce unnecessary restrictions on activities, including where activities are not likely to impact wild populations or animal welfare

How to comply

If you keep emus under your private wildlife licence, and the emus produce for example, you can sell or dispose of those eggs to any person as long as they are infertile or are eggshells. You can ensure that eggs are infertile by separating male and female animals during the breeding season or seeking information on checking egg viability with expert emu keepers. If in doubt whether an egg is fertilised or not, do not trade the egg.

You can also trade processed (but not taxidermied) parts of any emu that has been kept under your licence, such as tanned skins or feathers.

Wildlife welfare and care

Housing wildlife

Objective

To ensure you provide appropriate permanent housing that provides for the good health and welfare of any wildlife held under your licence.

How to comply

You must make sure enclosures meet the needs of any wildlife held under your licence. It is your responsibility to seek the appropriate expertise and information to provide for the needs of your wildlife. When constructing and maintaining enclosures, it is important to balance the need to provide wildlife with opportunity to express natural behaviours with the need to actively monitor wildlife for injury or illness. As such, large open-air enclosures may not be suitable. Always ensure that your enclosure design meets the specific needs of your wildlife.

Below is a list of basic requirements. These are the minimum standards that should be provided to all wildlife.

Adequate shelter

• Provide protection from the elements and extremes in weather. This includes appropriate opportunities for your wildlife to regulate body temperature, such as shade or heat lamps; and if outdoors, covered areas to allow wildlife to retreat from non-preferred weather conditions.
• Enclosures must be of an appropriate size and dimension to suit the physical characteristics and behaviour of the animal. While minimum enclosure standards set in applicable Codes of Practice must be met, consider providing a captive environment that mimics, as much as practicable, the habitat and environment that your wildlife would naturally occupy in the wild. This includes the size, vegetation, hardscape, and climactic conditions.

Prevent escape or injury

• Enclosures must be designed to prevent the escape of wildlife. Depending on the species of wildlife you keep and where they are kept, this may include placing locks on enclosure access points, ensuring all enclosures are roofed, and maintaining enclosures to prevent escape through degradation of enclosure barriers.
• Enclosures must be appropriately constructed and maintained to reduce risk of injury (for example, through loose wires, sharp edges, rusted/corroded surfaces), or other hazards.
• Only house compatible wildlife types together.

Protect wildlife from predators

Enclosures must prevent access from animals that may be considered predators, including domestic dogs, cats and wild native birds.

Restrict access by unauthorised persons

Enclosures must be secured to prevent unauthorised access. Where people other than the licence holder may have access to enclosures, this may mean in practice that access points must be locked.

Uphold good health and welfare

• Provide enclosures that at minimum meet the dimensions specified in the relevant Code of Practice.
• Provide appropriate food for the species and ensure constant access to clean fresh water.
• Wildlife must not be kept in areas with excessive noise, vibration or temperature fluctuation. Many wildlife species have high sensitivity to over-stimulation and may maintain an active avoidance of humans. Wildlife enclosures should be placed in areas of low human traffic where appropriate.
• Birds, reptiles, amphibians and marsupials must not be restrained by a leash or tether.
• Undertake regular cleaning of enclosures and take precautions to prevent disease.
• Undertake regular surveillance and vet visits to monitor wellbeing and enable early detection of health problems.

The Victorian Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare(opens in a new window) are incorporated into the Wildlife Regulations 2024 and are enforceable by the Conservation Regulator. The requirements set by Codes of Practice apply to anyone who possesses living wildlife, regardless of the prescribed category of licence they hold.

The relevant Codes of Practice for wildlife basic and advanced licence holders are:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Amphibians in Captivity(opens in a new window)
• Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds(opens in a new window)
• Code of Practice for the Husbandry of Captive Emus(opens in a new window)
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Private Keeping of Reptiles(opens in a new window)

There may be instances when it is reasonable to keep wildlife in a cage or enclosure that does not meet the requirements listed above. In those cases, written approval from the Conservation Regulator is required, and that written approval may include specific conditions to ensure animal welfare. You must act in accordance with any approval.

• Visit Victorian codes of practice for animal welfare(opens in a new window)

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Transportation

Objective

To ensure wildlife are transported in appropriate enclosures that prevent injury, stress and disease.

How to comply

Transport can be a particularly stressful and high-risk time for most wildlife species. Your transportation must meet the needs of the species being transported. The comfort and wellbeing of all animals should be monitored at minimum every two hours during transport.

Wildlife must be restrained during transport to prevent injury to the wildlife and to people. This may be achieved, for example, by use of an appropriately sized animal crate constructed of sufficiently robust material to prevent escape (for example, coated metal or rigid plastic).

Animals must be in a fit state before being transported. Sick or injured animals must not be transported except for veterinary care, with precautions taken to minimise further stress or injury. A person who is transporting sick, injured or abandoned wildlife to a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator does not need to meet these requirements.

If you are consigning wildlife to transport for long periods, such as interstate travel or bulk consignments, additional measures may be required to maintain the animal’s health and welfare. Refer to the applicable Code of Practice for the wildlife you are consigning.

Any equipment used to transport wildlife must be clearly and securely labelled with the details of the licence holder including the licence number.

Dependent wildlife

Objective

To ensure the welfare and survival of dependent, sick or juvenile wildlife and prevent the spread of disease.

How to comply

Do not enter into any transaction where the wildlife is dependent, diseased, sick or injured.

If your wildlife is diseased, sick or injured, you must take it to a veterinarian for assessment as soon as possible.

Unweaned or unfledged juvenile wildlife (where the wildlife is not independently feeding) must not be traded.

This condition does not apply where you have written approval from the Conservation Regulator to buy, sell, dispose of, consign or transport wildlife to which this regulation applies. These will only be considered where animal welfare can be protected. Applications for written approval can be submitted via email.

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Restrictions to interbreeding of wildlife

Objective

To prevent the interbreeding of wildlife that does not occur in the wild. This includes preventing the interbreeding of domestic and wild animals, and the trade of cross bred animals. Crossbreeding of different taxa can lead to genetic problems and increased care requirements and can have poor animal welfare outcomes.

How to comply

Ensure you house different taxa of wildlife separately to prevent unintended interbreeding, including domesticated animals.

If in the event of unintended offspring from different taxa, you cannot sell or dispose of the offspring without first seeking written approval from the Conservation Regulator.

Wildlife transactions

Import and export

Objective

To prevent wildlife trafficking by regulating the trade of wildlife between States and Territories, ensuring that only wildlife legally able to be held in Victoria is transported from interstate.

Trade monitoring also assists in reducing or tracing the spread of disease and ensures the health and welfare of wildlife being imported and exported.

How to comply

You can apply for a permit and complete your notification of outcome for a permit online, or you can download and complete the relevant form from our website(opens in a new window).

Please allow three to five business days to process your application.

Further information, including import and export restrictions and cases where an import/export permit is not required, is available on our website(opens in a new window). If you are unsure, call or email us.

• Visit Import and export permits for Victorian wildlife(opens in a new window)

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Advertising sale of wildlife

Objective

To ensure wildlife is only possessed and traded by those with an appropriate licence.

How to comply

You can only trade wildlife with a person who holds an appropriate licence. This means a wildlife licence that is current and allows them to keep that species of wildlife.

You must include your licence number when advertising wildlife for sale. This allows others to be satisfied that the advertisement is lawful. When purchasing wildlife, ask to see the seller’s wildlife licence and make sure it is valid before completing the transaction.

Visit Wildlife transactions (Private wildlife licence conditions)

Record keeping requirements

Record books

Objective

To ensure that captive wildlife has come from a lawful source, and to ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all wildlife transactions in Victoria.

How to comply

Relevant transactions include purchases, sales, import, deaths, gifts, breeding and escapes.

Your Wildlife Record Book is used to record all wildlife transactions. You cannot keep and trade wildlife until you have received both your licence and record book.

All record books for all wildlife licences are supplied by the Conservation Regulator and remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Making or keeping records that are inaccurate or false is an offence under the Wildlife Act.

To comply with this condition, you must:

• Ensure entries are recorded on the same day that a transaction occurs.
• Ensure entries are permanent and legible.
• Request an additional record book from wildlife licensing if you no longer have sufficient pages to record your wildlife transactions.
• Retain all record books you have been issued until you choose not to renew your licence or surrender your wildlife.
• Return your record book to the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days should you choose not to renew, or surrender your wildlife licence.
• Return your record book the Conservation Regulator if your licence is cancelled.

If you lose or damage your record book, you must report your loss to the Conservation Regulator by email or the online form(opens in a new window) within two business days. There is a fee for each book lost or damaged.

Please refer to Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form for further information.

• Visit Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form

• Visit Notify theft loss damage or escape form(opens in a new window)

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Annual return forms

Objective

To provide a state-wide overview of the volume and species of wildlife currently being possessed and traded in Victoria, which helps to ensure we have the right legal framework in place. This record keeping also provides a mechanism for the regulator to prevent illegal trade of wildlife and understand where wildlife may not be properly cared for.

How to comply

Your return is a summary of the wildlife transactions you conducted under your licence in the 12-month period between 1 April and 31 March. Information contained in the returns is confidential.

You must submit a completed return form by 14 April each year. You must also keep a copy for your returns for future reference.

A Return form must be submitted even if you:

• Have not bought, sold, traded, or otherwise acquired any wildlife.
• Do not currently have wildlife in your possession.

If you have no wildlife in your possession and have not acquired or disposed of any wildlife throughout the year (including births, deaths, escapes and transactions), you must mark your return as Nil and submit it by 14 April.

If you have acquired or disposed of any wildlife (including births, deaths, escapes and transactions), or if at any time in the return period you have had wildlife in your possession, you must indicate these events on your return and indicate the number and species of wildlife in your possession as of 31 March of the year the return is submitted. You must submit your return by 14 April.

You may submit your return online on our website(opens in a new window).

If you are unable to complete the online form, you can request a form by calling or emailing us.

If you do not submit a return, you may not be eligible to renew your licence. Additional penalties may also apply if these obligations are not met.

• Visit Licences and annual returns(opens in a new window)

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Do not tamper with record books or return forms

Objective

To ensure record books and return forms are a true and accurate representation of wildlife possession and trade in Victoria.

How to comply

Record books and return forms are legal documents. They must be accurate and include all wildlife in your possession or legally traded.

Record books and return forms remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Tampering with them in any way is an offence. Tampering includes erasing or editing entries, removing pages, or otherwise damaging records.

All entries in your record book, and on hard copy return forms, must be permanent and legible. You must write in your record book with a pen in black or blue ink.

If you make a mistake when filling in an entry, you should:

• Strike a line through the entry.
• Write your initials and date of the correction next to the corrected entry.

You cannot use white out or other methods to cover up entries. You also cannot remove any pages from your record book.

Additional record keeping obligations

Objective

To ensure oversight of all wildlife transactions in Victoria, while maintaining the confidentiality of licence holders.

How to comply

Keep your record book and return forms at the address specified on your wildlife licence and in a secure location to prevent loss or theft.

Under the Wildlife Act 1975, you must provide a copy of your record book, licence and return forms to Authorised Officers when asked. Authorised Officers have the power to, at any reasonable time with regard to the circumstances, ask to see, inspect or make copies of record books and any other documentation associated with your wildlife licence.

The record book and return forms remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Should you choose not to renew your licence, or surrender your wildlife, you must return your record book to the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days.

If you are provided with a written direction to surrender your wildlife record book by the Conservation Regulator, you must surrender all record books and return forms by the date specified.

Reporting

Theft or loss of wildlife

Objective

To uphold the health and wellbeing of wildlife in captivity, through appropriate monitoring and investigation of theft, loss or escape.

How to comply

If there has been a theft, loss or escape of wildlife in your care, you must:

• For suspected theft, report it to Victoria Police within two business days of you becoming aware.
• Retain a copy of the police report. If requested by an Authorised officer, you must produce a copy of the police report.
• Report the theft, loss or escape of wildlife to the Conservation Regulator by email, or by completing the Notify Theft, Loss, Damage or Escape form available on our website(opens in a new window) and emailing us the completed form within two business days of becoming aware of the loss.
• Record the theft, loss or escape of wildlife into your record book.

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form

Objective

To ensure the integrity and confidentiality of records.

How to comply

You must report the loss, theft or damage of your Wildlife Record Book or Annual Returns to the Conservation Regulator by email within two business days of becoming aware. You can do this by completing the Notify Theft, Loss, Damage or Escape form available on our website(opens in a new window) and emailing us the completed form.

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Objective

To ensure licence details are up to date and the person responsible for the wildlife licence is identifiable.

How to comply

You must notify the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days of any changes to the details listed on your licence, including changes to your name, contact details, or residential address. You can do this by completing the form available on our website(opens in a new window).

An amended licence will be posted to you.

Your residential address is the specified premises where wildlife must be kept in accordance with your licence. If your specified premises change, you must ensure the new premises have wildlife enclosure(s) that meets the requirements for all wildlife held under your licence.

Changing your specified premises may prompt inspection from Authorised Officers to determine if your new enclosures meet the required specifications.

Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Visit Wildlife licences and permits(opens in a new window)

All wildlife licence types fall into two categories

Wildlife conditions that may be attached to a wildlife licence

There are two sets of conditions that may be attached to a wildlife licence:

1. Conditions that are stipulated in the Wildlife Regulations. The Wildlife Regulations state who those conditions apply to, and that ranges from all wildlife licence holders to all private wildlife licence holders.
2. Additional conditions that are applied by the Conservation Regulator that are needed to further protect animal welfare, biodiversity, public safety, or to ensure that the regulator can perform its role effectively. The power for the Conservation Regulator to apply these conditions is provided in Section 22(3)(b)(ii) of the Wildlife Act.

What a private wildlife licence allows you to do

Private wildlife licences allow a person to:

• Possess and keep certain species of wildlife at the premises specified in the licence.
• Breed, acquire, buy, sell or dispose of any wildlife legally held under the licence. Any transaction must occur with another licensed person.

Please note that the Conservation Regulator may apply additional conditions to your licence that restrict the above entitlements, in accordance with section 22(3)(b) of the Wildlife Act.

Wildlife held under a private licence can only be kept at the address specified on the licence, which must be the residential address where the licence holder lives. Wildlife in captivity must be housed in enclosures that meet their behavioural and physiological needs, and appropriately cared for.

By following the licence conditions, wildlife basic and advanced licence holders can have rewarding personal relationships with wildlife while ensuring animal welfare.

What you cannot do under a private wildlife licence

A wildlife basic and advanced licence holder cannot:

• Possess wildlife not listed under the relevant schedules.
• Display wildlife to the public or allow unauthorised access to wildlife.
• Keep, breed, buy, or sell wildlife for commercial purposes.
• Take, keep, possess or trade wildlife at a location other than the premises specified in the licence for any reason other than:
  • Taking it to a registered vet for treatment.
  • Participating in a transaction with another licence holder at the specified premises of either of the licence holders entering into the transaction.
  • Participating in an approved wildlife event.
• Take wildlife from the wild or keep wildlife taken from the wild, which is illegal. If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please contact an authorised wildlife rehabilitator. If you are not sure who is authorised in your area, visit Help for injured wildlife or call us.

• Visit Help for injured wildlife(opens in a new window)

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

Authorised Officers are authorised under specific legislation to enforce the law, including issuing infringement notices that carry penalties for not complying. Under the Wildlife Act, Authorised Officers have the power to, at any reasonable time, and having regard to the circumstances:

• Enter, inspect or search any property, buildings, structure, vehicles or boats for the purposes of the Wildlife Act. This can occur with or without notice.
• Ask to see, inspect or take photos of any wildlife held under your authorisation or wildlife licence.
• Ask to see, inspect or make copies of your record books and any other documentation associated with your authorisation or wildlife licence.
• Inspect any parcel, bag or receptacle the officer reasonably believes is being used or is likely to be used in contravention of the Act (for example, a cardboard box they believe holds wildlife, a hunter’s bags, or esky).
• Investigate reports of alleged illegal activity relating to wildlife.
• Seize wildlife in your possession, if the officer reasonably believes an offence against the Act has been, is being, or is about to be, committed.
• Seize anything which the officer believes has been used or has assisted with an offence against the Act.
• Direct you in writing to make specific changes or alterations to animal enclosures. This must be done within the period specified in the direction.

If requested, you must:

• Give the Authorised Officer your name and address
• Allow an Authorised Officer to inspect wildlife held by you (including inside your house at any reasonable time) for monitoring compliance with the Wildlife Act, regulations and conditions of your licence. If you do not provide reasonable access to all wildlife you hold, your licence may be cancelled.
• Produce your record book for inspection.
• Allow the Authorised Officer to search your vehicle, boat or property.
• Provide anything the Authorised Officer tells you is seized.
• Comply with any legal notice issued under the Wildlife Act regarding wildlife in your possession.
• Not obstruct, threaten or abuse an Authorised Officer during the conduct of their duties.

You can expect our Authorised Officers will act with honesty, impartiality and in a way that is procedurally fair. They will engage with you respectfully and in good faith and we ask that you do the same. Whilst Authorised Officers will undertake a number of activities to support you to understand and comply with the laws we regulate, the responsibility for complying with the law rests with you as a wildlife licence holder.

You have rights when interacting with an Authorised Officer, including:

• The right to ask to see an Authorised Officer’s identification.
• Not answer any questions that you think might incriminate you.
• Request a receipt for anything seized from you (including wildlife).
• Request that an officer visit your home at a more reasonable time.

You will be informed of your rights if you are being interviewed about an offence. You must, however, state your full name and correct address if asked.

If you have a complaint about the way an Authorised Officer or Forest and Wildlife Officer has interacted with you, you can submit a complaint to the Department by emailing or writing to us. Further information about our complaint handling process is available on the DEECA contact webpage.

• Email CR.internalreview@deeca.vic.gov.au

• Write Conservation Regulator Internal Review,
  PO Box 500, East Melbourne VIC 8002

• Visit Contact DEECA(opens in a new window)

Failure to comply with the law

Failure to comply with the conditions, limitations or restrictions of your licence is an offence under section 22(6) of the Wildlife Act. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 100 penalty units (over $19,000) and may result in your licence being suspended, cancelled, or not renewed.

Penalties for cruelty

In addition to your wildlife licence conditions, you are obligated to adhere to other relevant legislation. The welfare of all animals in Victoria is protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act). Anyone who commits an act of cruelty is liable for an offence under the POCTA Act. Failure to comply with some of the conditions of your licence may also be an offence under the POCTA Act.

The penalties for offences under the POCTA Act are serious. Penalties include fines of over $40,000 or jail for up to 12 months for animal cruelty (for individuals), and fines of over $80,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for aggravated cruelty. Aggravated cruelty is cruelty that causes the death or serious disablement of an animal.

Penalties for illegally obtained or traded wildlife

When obtaining or trading wildlife, you must ensure that the other person has a current and valid wildlife licence. If you are not sure if a wildlife licence is valid or required, email us. It is illegal to obtain or trade wildlife without a valid licence.

You must also ensure that:

• The wildlife is a prescribed taxa of wildlife listed in the Schedules to the Wildlife Regulations 2024.
• The wildlife is a species that you and the other person can legally obtain and trade. This information is attached to your licence conditions.

Under no circumstances can you possess wildlife obtained from the wild. In Victoria, sick, injured or orphaned wildlife can only be rehabilitated by a wildlife rehabilitator. A wildlife rehabilitator is a wildlife shelter operator or foster carer who is authorised under section 28A of the Wildlife Act.

It is an offence to possess wildlife from an unlawful source under sections 45 and 47 of the Wildlife Act. This includes animals from the wild.

Offences under section 45 carry a penalty of 240 penalty units (over $45,000) or 24 months imprisonment, or both the fine and imprisonment and an additional penalty of 20 penalty units (over $3,500) for every head of wildlife in respect of which an offence has been committed.

Offences under section 47 carry a penalty of 50 penalty units (over $9,500) or six months imprisonment, or both the fine and imprisonment and an additional penalty of five penalty units (over $900) for every head of wildlife in respect of which an offence has been committed.

If wildlife is offered to you from an unlawful source, do not accept the animal and call or email us.

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au