Native plant and animal licensing

Native wildlife licensing

In NSW you need a licence if you want to keep, trade or control animals. You also need a licence to import or export almost all protected animals in or out of NSW. Read about the different types of licence.

• Keeping native animals as pets
• Import or export native animals into or out of NSW
• Catch and release animals like reptiles or possums from residential or commercial properties

You also need a licence for native animal rehabilitation, and to trade native animal specimens, skins, feathers, eggs and skeletons:

• Native animal rehabilitation
• Native animal taxidermy
• Emu farming and egg carving

Licences may also be granted to:

• Control or harm native animals impacting on communities or property
• Manage kangaroo populations

Threatened species impact licences

In NSW you need a licence to study, harm or pick a threatened native plant or animal or damage its habitat.

• Licences for working or living with threatened species

Protected native plant licences

Licensing helps regulate the cut-flower and whole-plant industries to sustainably harvest and cultivate protected native plants for sale.

• Native plant licensing

Scientific licences

In NSW you may need a scientific licence for research, education or conservation. These licences safeguard protected native plant and animal populations and ensure people work with them responsibly.

• Find out if you need a scientific licence