Allow eight weeks for your permit application to be processed.

With the right permit, native animals can be kept and shown in zoos, wildlife parks and mobile exhibits.

Permits may be granted to businesses of wildlife display, demonstration, education or entertainment, at permanent or temporary locations. These permits enable the use of your captive animals for display or demonstration activities. A separate permit is required if you want to take a native animal from the wild.

Permit holders are required to manage the animal’s welfare, biosecurity and safety and be able to demonstrate that they are meeting their obligations to care for the animals in their possession.

What species of animal can I display or demonstrate?

You can display or demonstrate most species of native animals provided that you have the necessary skills and experience. Before you choose a permit type, find out if the animal you want to display or demonstrate is Unprotected, Exempt or Basic. Or, if it doesn’t appear on any of these lists, it is a Specialist animal.

Find out how we categorise native animalsin South Australia.

Dingoes may not be kept south of the dog fence. See the Biosecurity SA website for information about dingoes and the dog fence.

Display wildlife

Unprotected and Exempt animals

  • You do not need a permit to display Unprotected or Exempt animals. However, Exempt animals are protected in the wild and must have been lawfully obtained. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
  • You need a permit to import or export Exempt animals into or from South Australia.

Basic and Specialist animals

  • You need a permit to display Basic and Specialist animals at a permanent facility. To apply for this permit, complete the online form. Permit holders must comply with the conditions of the Class 4 permit, and certain requirements of the regulations. You may also sell or give away your animals under this permit, but only to a person holding an appropriate wildlife permit.
  • Do you already hold a permit and want to display protected animals at a new location? Apply to add additional premises to your permit.
  • You need a separate permit to import or export native animalsinto or from South Australia.

Demonstrate and educate about wildlife

Unprotected and Exempt animals

  • You do not need a permit to demonstrate or educate using Unprotected or Exempt animals. However, Exempt animals are protected in the wild and must have been lawfully obtained. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
  • You need a permit to import or export Exempt animals into or from South Australia.

Basic and Specialist animals

  • You need a permit to demonstrate or educate using Basic and Specialist animals from mobile locations. To apply for this permit, complete the online form. Permit holders must comply with the conditions of the Class 5 permit, and certain requirements of the regulations. This is a mobile permit, which means you can travel within South Australia with the animals. You may also sell or give away your animals under this permit, but only to a person holding an appropriate wildlife permit.
  • You need a separate permit to import or export native animalsinto or from South Australia.