Farming certain wildlife

General information

A wildlife farming licence issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (PDF)* is required to keep, breed and use certain species of wildlife for farming. The only wildlife species that can be farmed in Queensland are emus, crocodiles, butterflies, venomous snakes and water buffalos.

Guidelines and policies

Please read the information below to find out how to apply for a licence to carry out this type of activity. The information sheet includes details about fees.

You can also read the legislation online by visiting the Office of Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.

• Information sheet: Wildlife farming licence (butterflies, crocodiles, emus, snakes, water buffalos) (PDF, 61K)*
• Guideline: General requirements - Keeping and using protected, international or prohibited animals in Queensland (PDF, 99K)*
• Guideline: General requirements - Keeping and using exotic animals under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (PDF, 105K)*

Pre-design conference service

The department offers a service to guide applicants through the assessment process. The service includes meeting with a departmental project manager to discuss the information that must be provided with your application.

This service can be initiated by contacting Permit and Licence Management or by email at palm@ehp.qld.gov.au or completing a Pre-design conference application form (Word, 188K)‡. If a meeting is required to discuss your application in more detail, a departmental officer will contact you directly.

Permits and approvals

To apply for this type of licence, you need to lodge a completed application form.

There are additional legal requirements for farming wildlife for meat production for human consumption or for the use of animal products (including venom) for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. You should make sure that you discuss any such proposal with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) if required. Failure to engage these departments during the concept phase may delay your activities.

There are two codes of practice adopted under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 concerning wildlife farming. If you get a wildlife farming licence for emus or crocodiles, you will have to comply with these codes:

• Code of practice: Emu farming (PDF, 88K)*
• Code of practice: Crocodile farming (PDF, 108K)*

Forms and fees

Please download an application form; contact Permit and Licence Management or email palm@ehp.qld.gov.au for assistance.

• Application form: Wildlife farming licence (Word, 202K)‡
• Return of operations: Wildlife farming licence (Word, 202K)‡

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‡ Requires Microsoft Office files viewer