Currently only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets.
All introduced mammal species are prohibited as pets unless listed as exceptions. A sample of these prohibited mammals include: foxes • squirrels • ferrets/polecats/stoats • rabbits • hamsters • monkeys/marmosets • gerbils • weasels • dingoes.
Wild animals like lions, tigers, etc. cannot be tamed in the house as pet animals as they are wild by nature.
If they are released or escape into the wild, hamsters and gerbils would compete with our native rodents for the same food resources. They could also pose a risk of disease introduction, with both being a significant risk to the survival of our native animals.
The wild rabbit is now considered to be a pest in Australia and in states such as Queensland, keeping a rabbit as a domestic pet is illegal (although rabbits may be kept as pets in New South Wales and Victoria).
Owls are not allowed to be kept as pets in Australia as they are considered “exotic pets”.
Currently only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets.
However, the species is prohibited throughout Australia for a number of reasons including its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases and because the species has the ability to become a serious invasive pest in Australia.
Native mammals like kangaroos, quolls and sugar gliders cannot be kept as pets in NSW. The best place for native animals is in the bush where they can live in their natural environment. Native mammals have special needs and do not thrive in confined domestic environments.
1. Elephants: Needs lots of space, needs more than one/two animals in one exhibit, needs massive amount of foods, can be very aggresive and unpredictable, susceptible to certain diseases (such as foot disease or respiratory disease), and generally don't live too long in captivity.
Meerkats under the Animal Welfare Act
While it's currently legal to own a meerkat as a pet, it's also a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act that owners meet all their needs in a way that allows for natural behaviours.
It is illegal to capture reptiles from the wild to keep them as pets — all reptile pets in Australia must have been bred in captivity.
In all States and Territories it is illegal to kill, injure, take from the wild, hold captive, trade or band any raptor without a permit issued by the relevant Government authority, or unless "special conditions" apply.
Gecko Licensing
All native reptiles are protected in NSW and a Reptile Keeper's licence must be obtained from the Office of Environment and Heritage to own one as a pet.
Some native snakes, lizards, geckos, dragons and turtles can be kept as pets as long as you have a licence.
1. Which species of reptiles can I own? You can keep some native dragons, geckos, lizards, snakes and turtles as pets. However, under NSW law, you may only own native reptiles bred in captivity which have been bought from a licenced breeder or dealer.
Ordinarily, it is illegal to kill, buy, sell or possess a kangaroo in Australia. However, in response to the growing kangaroo population, the Australian government permits licence holders to 'cull' or shoot kangaroos.
Two species of native mammal can be kept as pets in NSW as long as they have been bred in captivity and you have a licence. All native mammals, including marsupials like kangaroos, possums and quolls, are protected by law in New South Wales.
It is illegal to keep exotic (non-Australian) reptiles in captivity. They must be acquired by a licensed keeper or supplier and cannot be taken from the wild. To keep a reptile as a private keeper you will need to acquire a license of the state or territory wildlife authority.
Under Australian environmental law, live native birds cannot be exported from Australia for primarily commercial purposes. To keep a kookaburra as a pet, the NSW Native Animal Keepers' Species List dictates a permit is required and they are not allowed to be kept as a companion pet.
Native birds are protected by law so if you want to keep a native bird as a pet you'll need a biodiversity conservation licence granted under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 from the Department of Planning and Environment (National Parks and Wildlife Service).
They are unlikely to be accepted by wild magpies and have little chance of pair bonding and raising their own families. Magpies must not be converted into pets. It is illegal to take animals from the wild and keep them in captivity.