PDFs on this site open a new browser window.
Related links
Fauna Permits
We provide a readily available source of information and up to date application forms for those persons wishing to keep, sell or participate in the sustainable use of our wildlife.
This page provides general information about the Fauna Permit System.
Permit costs: please refer to the Fee Schedules page.
Obtaining Permits
Application forms for permits can be downloaded from the Application Forms page or collected from our offices located at:
| Fauna Permit Unit 1 Richmond Road Keswick SA 5035 Australia Phone: (61 8) 8124 4972 |
28 Vaughan Terrace Berri SA 5045 Australia Phone: (61 8) 8595 2111 |
| 9 MacKay St Port Augusta SA 5700 Australia Phone: (61 8) 8648 5300 |
11 Helen Street Mount Gambier SA 5290 Australia Phone: (61 8) 8735 1111 |
The Permit System - Overview
Most native animals in South Australia are protected and cannot be taken from the wild without an appropriate permit.
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provides for a permit system to keep native animals (including mammals, birds and reptiles) in captivity. The Permit System provides a framework that identifies legally acquired native animals and allows the detection of those animals that have been illegally acquired and brought into captivity.
The keeping and trading in native animals has the potential to impact on wild populations unless there are systems in place to ensure accountability for the legal possession of animals and the manner in which they are managed.
We promote fair and reasonable access to wildlife within parameters which address the conservation status of species, proper accountability for possession and appropriate standards of husbandry.
South Australia promotes the concept of private people being able to keep any species of native animal as long as the animal is legally acquired and the person has sufficient experience and knowledge and appropriate facilities to keep the animal. There is no prohibited list of animals in South Australia.
The Permit System to keep and sell native fauna has been in operation since the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 was assented to on 3 July 1972.
The Department for Environment and Heritage administers this permit system.
The Permit System is regularly reviewed and revised to keep it relevant to changes in community attitudes. The permit system underwent a major change in 1989, with the introduction of a five-tiered approach that also included provisions for fauna dealers. In 1999, the permit system was again reviewed and a four-tiered system was adopted.
Native animals are classed into one of the following
Unprotected Species - These animals are not protected in the wild. A permit to keep or sell these animals is not required.
ExemptSpecies - These animals are fully protected in the wild. A permit to keep or sell these animals is not required.
Basic - These animals are fully protected in the wild. These animals are usually easy to keep in captivity. A permit to keep and sell these animals is required. A permit is not required to keep 1 individual, however the sale or disposal of that individual animal would require a permit.
Specialist - These animals are fully protected in the wild. A permit to keep and sell is required. These animals are not generally kept in captivity. They are considered to be of high status as a result of illegal trading or demand from trade, and/or animals which require special feeding or housing, and/or animals which are endangered in their natural environment and/or animals which require special expertise for handling and security.
Protected Animals
 |
Australian Wood Duck Chenoretta jubata |
It is an offence to take any species of protected animals from the wild without the appropriate permit. Penalties of up to $30,000 may be incurred for the taking of, or illegal possession of, protected animals.
A "protected animal" means:
(a) any mammal, bird or reptile indigenous to Australia;
(b) any migratory mammal, bird or reptile that periodically or occasionally migrates to, and lives in, Australia;
(c) any animal of a species referred to in schedule 7, 8 or 9 of the Act;
(d) any animal of a species declared by regulation to be a species of protected animals, but does not include animals of the species referred to in schedule 10 of the Act or any animals declared by regulation to be unprotected.
2 species of frog, namely the Southern Bell Frog Litoria raniformis and the Smooth Frog Geocrinia laevis, are protected in South Australia.
Restrictions upon the Taking of Protected Animals
Section 51. of the Act states "(1) Subject to this Part, a person must not take a protected animal or the eggs of a protected animal.
Unprotected Animals
There are a few common native birds and mammals, which are unprotected and can be kept or sold without a permit. A hunting permit is required to take these animals from the wild. Permission to take unprotected animals from conservation parks and national parks will not generally be given. Persons require written permission from landowners to enter their land to take unprotected animals. Galahs and Little Corellas can only be taken by means of shooting.
Mammals, birds and reptiles which are not native to Australia (ie exotic or introduced) are all unprotected. eg Feral Goat, Pig, Camel, Deer, Rabbit, Red Fox, Common Starling, Domestic Pigeon, European Blackbird, Spotted Turtle-Dove (Laceneck Dove).
| Zebra Finch | Poephila guttata | Little Corella | Cacatua sanguinea |
| Red Wattlebird | Anthochaera chrysoptera | Australian Raven | Corvus coronoides |
| Galah | Cacatua roseicapilla | Australian Crow | Corvus orru cecilae |
| Little Raven | Corvus mellori | Wild dog* (Dingo) | Canis familiaris |
| Little Crow | Corvus bennetti | Grey-backed Silvereye | Zosterops lateralis halmaturina |
| Budgerigar | Melopsittacus undulatus |
*Animal and Plant Control Permit required.
Permit Classes
Exempt
A number of native animals are very common either in captivity or in their natural habitat. These animals are listed as Exempt.
More detailed information on species listed as Exempt.
There are no restrictions on the keeping or sale of native animals which are listed as Exempt.
Animals listed as Exempt are fully protected and a permit is required to take any from the wild.
Basic
Animals listed as Basic are common either in captivity or in their natural habitat, the keeping and selling of which has a minimal effect on naturally occurring populations. These animals are usually easy to keep in captivity.
A permit to keep and sell is required for animals listed as a Basic species.
More detailed information on species listed as Basic.
A permit is not required to keep one individual, however the sale or disposal of that individual animal would require a permit.
Animals listed as Basic are fully protected and a permit is required to take any from the wild.
Specialist
Specialist species are those animals which are not generally kept in captivity, animals considered to be of high status as a result of illegal trading or demand from trade (eg Black-Cockatoos), animals which require special feeding or housing (eg Koalas or wombats), animals which are endangered in their natural environment (eg Golden Shouldered Parrot) and animals which require special expertise for handling and security (such as front fanged venomous snakes).
 |
Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus Photo: A Robinson |
A Specialist Permit to keep and sell is required for animals listed as a Specialist species.
To obtain a Specialist Permit, you may be required to prove you have the facilities, knowledge and experience to safely and properly care for the animal.
More detailed information on species listed as Specialist.
Animals listed as Specialist are fully protected and a permit is required to take any from the wild.
Fauna Dealer Permits
Persons who trade (buy and sell) in Basic and Specialist species are required to obtain a Fauna Dealer's Permit.
Theholder of a Basic or Specialist permit to keep and sell must retain an animal for a period of 6 months prior to sale or that person must have bred the animal. The 6 month holding period is not applicable to fauna dealers. Fauna dealer's must retain the animals for a period of 7 days.
See more detailed information on Fauna Dealer Permits.
Hunting Permits
In South Australia the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provides the legislative framework providing for the conservation of wildlife in a natural environment. The Acts and Regulations are intended to provide a framework to monitor, prevent and control the illegal exploitation of protected wildlife and regulate activities associated with legal recreational hunting.
Most native mammals, reptiles and birds are fully protected. Without this protection many species can become threatened and may ultimately disappear forever.
Some species of native animals are able to capitalise on good seasons and to maintain high population levels. Some of these have been traditionally hunted for food and sport. The Act provides for the proclamation of open seasons under certain conditions to permit the hunting of certain species of protected game.
A few species of native animals and all species of introduced animals are unprotected in terms of this Act. However a Hunting Permit is required before it is permissible to hunt such animals.
DEH: Information Line | Job Vacancies | Events | Media Releases | Links | Legislation | Sitemap