Import and export permits for Victorian wildlife
Transporting wildlife in or out of Victoria may require a permit. Restrictions may also apply.
On this page
- Apply for an import and export permit
- Import and export restrictions
- When is a permit not required?
- Permits are not required for the following wildlife
- Australian wildlife laws
- Importing and exporting wildlife from Australia
To import or export wildlife you must have a permit.
You can now apply for a permit (or complete your notification of outcome for a permit) online.
Alternatively, you can download and complete the offline application form:
Import-Export Application - March 2022
Word 90.84 KB
Submit your completed application by email: wildlifelicensing@delwp.vic.gov.au.
Allow 3 to 5 business days to process your application.
Import and export restrictions
To transport wildlife into Victoria (import) or out of Victoria (export), wildlife must be self-sufficient. This means the wildlife:
- must not be an egg
- must not be injured or diseased
- must be able to feed itself
- (if a flighted bird) must be able to fly
- (if a flightless bird) must be at least 4 weeks old
- (if a mammal) must be fully weaned.
If wildlife is not self-sufficient, you need to contact us for specific approval by email: wildlifelicensing@delwp.vic.gov.au
We will advise you if the import or export permit can be issued.
Wildlife being transported into Victoria can only be approved if the person receiving the wildlife has a valid wildlife licence, authorisation or permit.
When is a permit not required?
An import permit or export permit is not required to transport:
- emu egg-shells (empty shells only)
- cast or shed wildlife feathers, sloughed skins of reptiles or cast antlers of deer
- wildlife listed in Part A of Schedule 4 or parts of wildlife listed in Part A of Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024
- specified birds in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act 1975
- dead game that has been obtained in a legal manner from a legal source (e.g. with an appropriate game licence under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012).
Permits are not required for the following wildlife
- King quail (Excalfactoria chinensis)
- Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
- Zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
- Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
- Bourke’s Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii)
- Pheasant-all taxa (Phasianus spp)
- Partridge-all taxa (Perdix spp)
- European Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
- Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)
- California Quail (Callipela (Lophortyx) californica.
Also included
Dead game that has been obtained from a legal source:
- Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis)
- Latham’s (Japanese or Jack) Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)
- Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
- Australasian (Blue winged) Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
- Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)
- Grey Teal (Anas gibberifrons)
- Hardhead (White-eyed) Duck (Aythya australis)
- Australian Shelduck (Mountain Duck) (Tadorna tadornoides)
- Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)
- Maned Duck (Wood Duck) (Chenonetta jubata).
Parts of the following taxa of wildlife
- the shells of Emu eggs (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
- processed (but not taxidermied) Emus (Dromaius novaehollandia)
- feathers which have been naturally shed by birds.
- Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
- Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
Sloughed skin of reptiles.
- Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
- Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus melanops)
- Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
- Whiptail Wallaby (Macropus parryi)
- Common Wallaroo (euro) (Macropus robustus)
- Red-necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)
- Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
- Rufous-bellied Pademelon (Thyllogale billardierii).
The following species (alive or dead):
- Fallow deer (Dama dama, including Dama dama mesopotamica)
- Chital (Axis axis)
- Hog Deer (Axis porcinus)
- Rusa Deer (Cervus timoirensis)
- Sambar (Cervus unicolor)
- Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
- Wapiti Deer (Cervus canadensis).
Shed antlers from the above deer species.
Also included
- dead game that has been obtained from a legal source.
Australian wildlife laws
Different wildlife laws apply in different states or territories within Australia, so you should always check with the responsible agency in the relevant state.
An export permit is required if you intend to transport wildlife out of Victoria to any other state or territory within Australia.
An import permit is required if you intend to transport wildlife into Victoria from any other state or territory within Australia.
Contact the DELWP Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for further information.
Import and export permits may be required for the transport of wildlife and wildlife products into and out of Australia.
