This regulation includes unique Australian birds, reptiles, frogs, and a few mammals. But you cannot own invasive species, crocodiles, sea turtles, or snakes. Like what will be discussed later, purchasing and owning these animals require a license. (But there are exceptions.)
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. We believe this would be impossible to do in a home environment.
You can only bring your cat or dog into Australia under strict import conditions. These safeguard our agriculture, environment, native and domestic animals, and our people. They are based on rigorous scientific analyses to manage biosecurity risks.
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.
Owls are not allowed to be kept as pets in Australia as they are considered “exotic 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.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, dogs must be kept on a leash in all public places. This means when you are outside your home, including on the footpath, your dog must be on a leash – except in designated off-leash parks.
In Australia, it is not explicitly illegal to eat dog in most states and territories. However, the sale of cat and dog meat is prohibited in all states and territories under the various statutes which govern the production of meat.
1. Numbat. The Numbat is small to medium sized marsupial that's the faunal emblem of Western Australia. They survive in two naturally occurring populations in the south-west of Western Australia.
While it's not yet possible to have a pet sloth in Australia, if that day ever does come around they might just replace dogs as the ultimate family pet. Here's why ...
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.
Up to 150,000 ferrets are kept as pets in Australia. However, ferrets are prohibited as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory. You must not keep, feed, move, give away, sell or release into the environment.
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.
Due to strict regulations on the animal species that can be imported into Australia, it is currently illegal to own a lion in Australia. To import an exotic animal or other animal into Australia, you will need a valid permit and will need to comply with the Department of Agriculture`s import requirements.
To keep a Dingo as a pet (non-commercial use), you must hold a Dingo Licence. There is no limit to how many Dingoes you keep under a Dingo Licence as long as you have appropriate enclosures. Local governments may have restrictions on how many animals a person can keep at their property.
Horse meat is consumed in some North American and Latin American countries, but is illegal in some others. The Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand definition of 'meat' does not include horse.
According to the Dog Act 1976 Section 26(3) and the City of Swan's Consolidated Local Laws, people who wish to keep more than two dogs, but no more than six, may be required to have a Excess dog permit. (PDF, 41KB) You may only keep two dogs and their puppies (under three months of age) on a property.
As a dog owner, you are liable if your dog attacks a person or another animal. While the Companion Animals Act 1998 gives certain protection to an owner whose dog attacks as a result of a person or an animal trespassing onto the property on which the dog is kept, other forms of liability may still apply.
For a dog that is just over 18 months old, you should not leave them alone for more than 4-6 hours, and for adult dogs, around 10 hours is the top limit, especially as dogs should have the opportunity to relieve themselves every 6 hours.
Native reptiles are protected by law so if you want to keep a native reptile 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).
You cannot keep an ferret as a pet in Queensland. Penalties may apply. The ferret is an aggressive predator that could threaten biodiversity in Australia, with a wide range of Australian native birds, mammals and marsupials, reptiles and frogs potentially at risk.
Fox attacks on dogs are rare because these animals try to evade conflict. However, they will defend themselves against a dog if cornered. Adult cats are usually safe, but a fox may hunt and prey on kittens.