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Home : Plants and Animals : Permit Types/Information : Possum Permits

Possum Permits

Common Brushtail and Common Ringtail Possum Management Standards

Common Brushtail Possum Photo: Scott Jennings

Living with possums has its share of problems but there is a legal responsibility to deal with any problems in an appropriate manner.

See information on how to solve possum problems

This document sets the parameters for

• assessing applications to trap and release or trap and destroy Common Brushtail Possums or Common Ringtail Possums on mainland South Australia,
• approved methods of destruction,
• requirements of pest controllers, and
• animal welfare considerations.

Common Brushtail and Common Ringtail Possum Management Standard

Trap and Release Possum Permit

A permit is required to place a possum trap in a roof space to capture and remove a possum.

Trapped possums must be released within 24 hours of capture (released at sunset on the day of capture) and released on the same property within 50 metres of the capture site. Releasing possums during the day increases their stress and puts them at risk of being attacked and injured.

Relocating possums is inhumane, illegal and a poor solution to the possum problem. Evidence exists that the removal of resident Brushtail Possums often results in the immigration of other animals into the vacated area and death of the translocated possum. A maximum penalty of $2,500 or 6 months imprisonment applies for this offence.

Trap and release possum permit application form (150Kb PDF)
See information on how to use a possum trap (50Kb PDF)

Trap and Destroy Possum Permit

A permit to trap and destroy possums may only be granted if the applicant has tried all other means of resolving the conflict situation.

The humane destruction of Brushtail Possums can be facilitated by registered veterinarians, the Animal Welfare League and animal research facilities that hold a current scientific permit and animal ethics approval.

It is illegal to destroy or remove any native animal without a permit. The maximum penalty is $2,500 or imprisonment for 6 months.

Trap and destroy possum permit application form (150Kb PDF)

Trap and Release (Pest Controller) Permit

Pest controllers providing a possum removal service require a permit to trap and release possums. This permit grants approval for a pest controller to trap and release possums on behalf of the resident.

Pest controllers must release trapped possums within 24 hours of capture (released at sunset on the day of capture) and release on the same property within 50 metres of the capture site. Relocating possums elsewhere can attract a maximum penalty of $2,500 or imprisonment for 6 months.

Trap and release (pest controller) permit application form (150Kb PDF)