Table 3.
Australian licensing, permitting, and training requirements for wildlife carers to keep wildlife.
| State/Territory | Permit/License Required | Demonstration of Competence | Permit Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT) Required. Must be a member of a wildlife organisation and reside in the ACT [5] (Chapter 6 Division 6.1.4) Licences will not be issued for the hand-rearing of young kangaroos or their release in the ACT [88] | Minimum requirement is to have attended an orientation course and basic bird care course. Carers are expected to complete ongoing advanced training, as required, relevant to the species they care for [82] | Yearly |
| NSW | Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) Required [10] (No 63 Division 3. 2.17. {f}) | Code of Practice for Injured, Sick, and Orphaned Protected Fauna (NSW). New fauna rehabilitators must undertake an introductory training course. Fauna rehabilitators must attend an advanced training course every three years [9] (13.1.1.) | As specified in the licence |
| NT | Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2014 (NT) Permit required [15] (Division 6. 55 {1}) | Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2014 (NT). Must have previous experience, qualifications, membership to a local wildlife care group, an experienced mentor, facilities, and resources. An application for a permit may be refused if these requirements are not met [15] | Bi-annually |
| QLD | Nature Conservation Act 1992. (Qld) Rehabilitation permit required [17] (Pt 5. 88 {2}) | Nature Conservation Act 1992. (QLD) Individuals must be experienced in wildlife care/rehabilitation or obtain endorsement by wildlife care group under their license. Specialist species require two referee reports from people of professional standing in the relevant wildlife management field [17] (Pt 5. 88 {2}) | Nature Conservation Administration Regulation 2017 (Qld) Tri-annually or for the life of a protected animal kept under the permit [80] (Section 21 p. 17 e) |
| SA | National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (SA) Permit required. The Minister may grant to any person a permit to take and hold protected animals or the eggs of protected animals, if satisfied that it is desirable to grant the permit [21] (Section 53) | General Guidelines for the Management of Protected Wildlife in Captivity in South Australia 2010 (SA). Permit will only be issued if the applicant can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills, experience, and resources and resides in SA [23] (Section 4.1.) | Annually |
| TAS | Wildlife Regulations 1999 (TAS) Yes. A licence is required except for brushtail possum, Bennett’s wallaby, and Tasmanian pademelon [27] (Part 2.5.) | Wildlife (General) Regulations 1999 (TAS). Permit to rehabilitate wildlife only given after vetting process via registration form | Variable. Given with regard to the time an animal is expected to be in care |
| VIC | Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) A wildlife shelter permit is required for the purposes of wildlife rehabilitation [31] (Section 28) | Code of Practice for the Welfare of Wildlife during Rehabilitation 2017 (Vic) Wildlife rehabilitators need to demonstrate that they have acquired appropriate training or the required knowledge [33] | Choice of one year or three years |
| WA | Wildlife Conservation Regulations 1970 (WA) Keeping of fauna in captivity. No permit or licence required. A person may temporarily keep in captivity or confinement fauna that is sick, diseased, or injured or that is abandoned juvenile fauna, for the purpose of caring for it until it recovers or becomes capable of fending for itself [37] (Part 4 28A {1}) | Not required | Not applicable |