Yes, you can own a bearded dragon in Australia, but as native Australian reptiles, they are protected by law, requiring you to obtain a specific wildlife or reptile-keeping license from your state or territory's environment authority before purchasing one from a licensed dealer. The process involves applying for a permit, adhering to strict rules on housing, sourcing, and care, and ensuring you only buy from legal sources, not the wild, to keep these popular, beginner-friendly pets.
Bearded Dragons make great pets, however as they are protected by law, you will need a licence to buy one from a pet shop or wildlife dealer. To find out more about keeping reptiles in Victoria, please visit the DELWP website at: www.wildlife.vic.gov.au.
The most popular Australian reptiles to keep are the Blue-tongue Lizard, Tiliqua scincoides, and the Central Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps, both of which are interesting and easy to care for. Turtles are also popular pets, however a lot of time and effort needs to go in to water changing and filtration.
In Australia, you can own various exotic pets like Bearded Dragons, Geckos, Axolotls, Corn Snakes, Cockatiels, Guinea Pigs, and Ferrets, but laws vary by state, requiring licenses for natives (like Sugar Gliders) and specific permits for many non-natives (like Ball Pythons), with strict bans on imports for many vertebrates and some popular exotics like Hedgehogs. Always check your state's environmental department and the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) website for legal requirements and import conditions before getting any exotic pet.
Bearded dragons are found across Australia, typically in arid or semi-arid environments. The Eastern Bearded Dragon is widespread, found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. It's relatively resilient to agricultural development, and occurs in areas now urbanised.
Pogona is a genus of reptiles containing eight lizard species, which are often known by the common name bearded dragons or informally (especially in Australia) beardies.
Bearded Dragons
In the U.S., a majority of states require bearded dragon owners to have a license to keep as a pet. In Hawaii, however, it is illegal to buy or sell a bearded dragon under legislation designed to protect the native ecosystem.
Australia's rarest animal is often cited as the Gilbert's Potoroo, the world's rarest marsupial, clinging to survival in small island populations in Western Australia, though other critically endangered species like the Night Parrot, Orange-bellied Parrot, and Red Goshawk also vie for the title due to tiny numbers and severe threats. Defining "rarest" can be tricky, but these species represent the absolute brink of extinction.
Some native snakes, lizards, geckos, dragons and turtles can be kept as pets, as long as you have a licence.
Australia is home to a large variety of plants, birds, reptiles and iconic animals such as kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, wallabies and more. But not all can live up to the title of the world's most loveable and happiest animal quite like Western Australia's famous quokkas.
Bearded dragon (Pogona barbata)
Keeping of this animal requires a Standard Licence.
Here are profiles of some popular species that can make great pets.
No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets. Reptiles are not permitted to be imported as pets but may be imported under strict conditions for zoological purposes. This may include, but is not limited to: turtles.
In all states, a different licence is required to take them from the wild, and so it is illegal to keep any dragon as a pet if found in the wild. It is best to get your dragon from a reputable breeder, and captive-bred animals are also at a much lower risk of harbouring parasites.
Over the years they have found themselves becoming more popular in captivity due to their placid nature and hardiness. On average, their life expectancy ranges from 9-12 years over which they can grow to lengths of 30-50 cm with some individuals living longer and attaining lengths of up to 60 cm.
It is always recommended to provide more space for Inland Bearded Dragons if possible so they can move around as they would in their natural habitat. An adult Inland Bearded Dragon should never be kept in an enclosure less than 120cms in length and 60cms wide.
Prohibited reptiles and birds
Reptiles include snakes, lizards and turtles, including: American corn snakes • red-eared slider turtles • boa constrictors • all tortoises. Certain exotic birds are also prohibited.
Yes, it's generally safe to sleep with a gecko in your room as common house geckos are harmless, non-venomous insect-eaters that stay on walls and ceilings, but you need good hygiene (handwashing) to prevent Salmonella if they carry it, and larger types might bite if stressed. They help control pests like mosquitoes and flies, but if you're worried, try to guide them out a window, or use a cat as a deterrent.
But are these behaviors an indication of emotional bonding, or they are just responses to stimuli? Research shows that reptiles don't form a bond just as mammals do, but they develop a feeling of trust and recognition. For example, Turtles and Iguanas can recognize their owners by simple sight and sound.
The kangaroo, Australia's most dangerous animal
Fortunately, the chance that you will come into contact with one of the above animals is small. When driving at night in very remote areas, a kangaroo may appear in front of your car from out of the bush.
The vaquita is the most endangered cetacean in the world. With as few as around 10 left, the species will become extinct without a fully enforced gillnet ban throughout their entire habitat.
As tempting as it is to give our pets a lil' smooch when we see them, it's probably not a great idea if that pet happens to be a bearded dragon. That's because there's currently a multistate Salmonella outbreak in the US and it's been linked back to the otherwise lovely lizards.
Yes, you can own a bearded dragon in Australia, but it's a native, protected species, so you must get a state-specific wildlife license or permit before purchasing one, with requirements varying by state (e.g., SA might not need one, while VIC and NSW require licenses). Always check your local state's wildlife authority website (like for NSW or Victoria) to understand the licensing process, acquire the dragon from a licensed breeder or supplier, and follow legal rules for housing and care.
Their strong jaws mean that if a bearded dragon bites you, then it can hurt. How much it can hurt, does depend on the size of the dragon, smaller dragon's bites may only feel like a pinch and not draw blood, whereas a larger dragon's bites can cause a wound and be considerably painful.