Recreational use of animals

The Nature Conservation Act 1992 allows for the recreational (private) taking, keeping and use of wildlife in certain situations. Some species, including native mammals, cannot be kept privately in Queensland.

There is a variety of Acts of Parliament that regulate the movement and possession of wildlife in Queensland, including:

• Nature Conservation Act 1992
• Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
• Fisheries Act 1994
• Animal Care and Protection Act 2001

If you keep wildlife in another state, and are proposing to move into Queensland from the other state, you should contact Permit and Licence Management to make sure that you are able to keep the animal lawfully in Queensland. Depending upon which species is involved, you may have to be referred to another Government department for response.

The following types of licences and permits are available under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 for recreational taking, keeping or use of protected or international animals:

• For keeping wildlife for recreational purposes
  • Recreational wildlife licence
  • Permit to keep protected wildlife
• For harvesting
  • Recreational wildlife harvesting licence