More information about wildlife displayer licences

Wildlife licences in Victoria

All wildlife licence types fall into 2 categories:

Commercial wildlife licence

Commercial licences allow the holder to engage in business activities relating to wildlife. The wildlife displayer licence is an example of a commercial licence. These licences can be issued to a person, corporation, company or other business entity.

Private wildlife licence

Private wildlife licences are designed for individuals who want to keep small numbers of wildlife at home. Private wildlife licence holders are not permitted to engage in commercial activities relating to wildlife, and the wildlife must be kept at the address specified in the licence.

Information about the different types of wildlife licences, and how to apply, can be found on our website.

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

What a wildlife displayer licence allows you to do

Wildlife displayer licence holders can undertake commercial display to the public of wildlife listed on their licence at their specified premises, and in temporary circumstances at other locations throughout Victoria.

A wildlife displayer licence holder can:

• possess, keep, breed, or dispose of wildlife listed on the licence for the purpose of public display
• sell, buy, acquire, dispose of, or otherwise transfer ownership of wildlife listed on the licence through transactions with appropriately licensed or authorised persons
• display wildlife to the public at the licensed premises, where:
  • wildlife are housed in permanent and fixed enclosures; or where wildlife are temporarily not confined to an enclosure, the wildlife are under the direct supervision/control of a person authorised under the licence
  • enclosures for wildlife form an integral part of the wildlife display
  • display is for the purpose of promoting conservation understanding or providing education about wildlife
• possess and display wildlife at other locations in Victoria for temporary public displays and demonstrations within Victoria for the purpose of promoting conservation understanding or providing education about wildlife
• allow photography of wildlife being displayed
• provide wildlife for use in a commercial film with prior written permission from the Conservation Regulator.

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)(ii) of the Wildlife Act.

What you cannot do under a wildlife displayer licence

A wildlife displayer licence is intended to facilitate display of wildlife to the public. The licence is not appropriate for use in other circumstances that do not directly relate to that objective, including conservation activities (for example, re‑wilding or captive breeding of insurance populations), maintenance of private wildlife collections, or commercial-scale wildlife breeding activity.

A wildlife displayer licence holder cannot:

• possess, keep, breed, acquire, buy, sell or dispose of any wildlife that is not listed on the licence
• display wildlife for any purpose other than promoting an understanding of the ecology and conservation of wildlife
• display:
  • wildlife housed in temporary enclosures at the specified premises, or enclosures that do not contribute to display for education or conservation understanding.
  • sick or injured wildlife
• provide wildlife for use in commercial film without prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator
• take wildlife from the premises specified in the licence for any reason other than:
  • taking it to a registered vet for treatment.
  • conducting a demonstration for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the ecology and conservation of wildlife.
  • use in commercial film with prior written approval.
  • to trade wildlife with another licence holder at the specified premises of either of the licence holders entering into the transaction.
  • undertake display or demonstration that would pose a risk to the health and safety of the community or wildlife in your care.
• release wildlife held under the licence to the wild.
• sell or gift wildlife to a person who is not licensed to keep that animal.
• 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(opens in a new window) or phone DEECA.

Visit Help for Injured Wildlife(opens in a new window). Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186.