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.
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”.
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.
Pet owners must first apply for a license to own an allowed native animal, following the 2016 Biodiversity Conservation Act. This policy seeks to protect Australia's unique wildlife from endangerment and abuse. Nonetheless, owners can have such pets if they follow the law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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).
It is an offence to keep this species unless authorised, for example under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 or Animal Research Act 1985.
It is illegal to have a Koala as a pet anywhere, even in Australia. The only people who are permitted to have a Koala in their possession, besides suitably authorised zoos, are, occasionally, scientists, and the people who are taking care of sick or injured Koalas or orphaned joeys.
Camels are prescribed stock under the BAM (IMSA) regulations. All camel owners must be registered as owners of stock and have a current property identification code (PIC) for the property/s where their animals are kept.
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.
Legal requirements
The ferret is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply. You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by ferrets.
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).
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.
In Illinois, Idaho, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin it is legal to keep a kangaroo as a pet, while in the rest of the US it is completely illegal. A very small number of these allow kangaroos to be kept without permits.
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. In some areas of Australia, wallabies have been trained to live indoors and show signs of affectionate with a playful spirit.
At first, you might think sugar gliders are tiny, flying squirrels. But they're actually nocturnal marsupials more closely related to the kangaroo or koala and native to the eucalyptus trees of Australia. Sugar gliders are popular as pets because of their energetic and curious nature.