All introduced mammal species are prohibited as pets unless listed as exceptions. A sample of these prohibited mammals include: foxes • squirrels • ferrets/
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.
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.
Other Animals
The following pets are not permitted to enter Australia: chinchillas, fish, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, mice, snakes, spiders, pigs and turtles. Live pigeons are permitted from any country, however, household birds are only permitted if they are entering from New Zealand.
Can you have an owl as a pet in Australia? Owls are not allowed to be kept as pets in Australia as they are considered “exotic pets”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ferrets have naturalised in many places, including New Zealand, Morocco, and parts of the USA. They are associated with declines in native wildlife populations in New Zealand. Up to 150,000 ferrets are kept as pets in Australia. However, ferrets are prohibited as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Guinea Pigs are freely available as pets in Australia and there are no special regulations restricting your ownership of them as pets. Hamsters, however, are completely banned as pets throughout Australia under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
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).
It is an offence to keep this species unless authorised, for example under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 or Animal Research Act 1985.
All native reptiles are protected. 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.
Legal requirements
The Asian house gecko is not a prohibited or restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive animals under their control.
Wolves can be beautiful animals and many people wonder if they're allowed to keep them as pets. But the short answer is, Australia does not allow wolves or dog-wolf crosses into the country. The ban on wolves extends to breeds like the: Czechoslovakian wolfdog (also called the Czechoslovakian Vlcak)
Can You Have a Wallaby as a Pet? The most important thing to remember is that a wallaby is an exotic animal and while they can be tamed and socialized, they are wild animals and are not encouraged as domestic pets.
Being aboreal, the Squirrel Glider can be found along the Great Dividing Range from central Cape York, Queensland south to central Victoria with some isolated pockets in eastern South Australia.
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).
Special permits are necessary to keep most Australian wildlife (e.g. kangaroos, possums, wombats, koalas, kookaburras, magpies, hawks, many reptiles, frogs and fish). Usually only zoos and fauna parks are given permits to hold these animals.
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.