NT Wildlife Permit Requirements
KEEP PROTECTED WILDLIFE - no fee
- Protected wildlife is classified as all wildlife native to the NT.
- A permit is required to enable people to legally possess wildlife in captivity within the NT.
- In order to acquire a permit to keep wildlife you must first purchase the animal from a lawful source. A lawful source is identified as a person, pet shop or breeder who has a current permit to keep and trade wildlife.
- Upon application a proof of purchase in the form of a receipt or ‘proof of sale docket’ must be attached to your application.
- Once an animal has been obtained you must legally obtain a permit to keep within 7 days of receipt of purchase.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
KEEP PROHIBITED ENTRANTS - no fee
- Prohibited entrants are classified as all wildlife not native to the NT, even if they are native elsewhere in Australia (including exotic animals).
- A permit is required to enable people to legally possess wildlife in captivity within the NT.
- In order to acquire a permit to keep wildlife you must first purchase the animal from a lawful source. A lawful source is identified as a person, pet shop or breeder who has a current permit to keep and trade wildlife.
- Upon application a proof of purchase in the form of a receipt or ‘proof of sale docket’ must be attached to your application.
- Once an animal has been obtained you must legally obtain a permit to keep within 7 days of receipt of purchase.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
KEEP VENOMOUS SNAKE (CATEGORY 1) - no fee
- In order to acquire a permit to keep wildlife you must first purchase the animal from a lawful source. A lawful source is identified as a person, pet shop or breeder who has a current permit to keep and trade wildlife.
- Upon application a proof of purchase in the form of a receipt or ‘proof of sale docket’ must be attached to your application.
- Once an animal has been obtained you must legally obtain a permit to keep within 7 days of receipt of purchase.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
KEEP VENOMOUS SNAKE (CATEGORY 2) - no fee
- Must apply in writing before obtaining any category 2 venomous snakes.
- Must have current first aid certification and under go a property inspection.
- Assessment and references required.
- Prior experience in Category 1 required before obtaining Category 2.
- Allow 2 weeks for processing.
KEEP VENOMOUS SNAKE (CATEGORY 3) - no fee
- Must apply in writing before obtaining any category 3 venomous snakes.
- Must have current first aid certification and under go a property inspection.
- Assessment and references are required.
- Prior experience in Category 1 and 2 required before obtaining Category 3.
- Allow 2 weeks for processing.
EXPORT PROTECTED WILDLIFE - no fee
- All protected wildlife sent out of the NT must be approved by both the NT and the State/Territory it is entering.
- A permit must be issued for the movement of the wildlife before it is consigned.
- An export permit is only valid for a period of two (2) days from the date of shipment.
- The animals must be exported from the NT within this time or the permit will expire and another permit will need to be obtained.
- An export permit issued by the NT does not automatically allow the movement of wildlife into another State/Territory.
- You must ensure that a corresponding permit or licence from the relevant interstate authority has been issued.
- Allow a minimum of 5 working days for processing.
IMPORT PROTECTED WILDLIFE - no fee
- All protected wildlife brought into the NT must be approved by both the State/Territory it is leaving and the NT.
- A permit must be issued for the movement of the wildlife before it is consigned.
- An import permit is issued and valid for a period of one (1) month from the date of shipment. The animal must be imported into the NT within this period or the permit will expire and another permit will need to be obtained.
- An import permit issued by the NT does not automatically allow the movement of wildlife out of another State/Territory.
- You must ensure that a corresponding permit or licence from the relevant interstate authority has been issued.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
EXPORT PROHIBITED ENTRANTS - no fee
- All prohibited entrants sent out of the NT must be approved by both the NT and the State/Territory it is entering.
- A permit must be issued for the movement of the wildlife before it is consigned.
- An export permit is only valid for a period of two (2) days from the date of shipment.
- The animals must be exported from the NT within this time or the permit will expire and another permit will need to be obtained.
- An export permit issued by the NT does not automatically allow the movement of wildlife into another State/Territory.
- You must ensure that a corresponding permit or licence from the relevant interstate authority has been issued.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
IMPORT PROHIBITED ENTRANTS - no fee
- All prohibited entrants brought into the NT must be approved by both the State/Territory it is leaving and the NT.
- There is no guarantee the prohibited entrant will be allowed entry into the NT.
- A permit must be issued for the movement of the wildlife before it is consigned.
- An import permit is issued and valid for a period of one (1) month from the date of shipment. The animal must be imported into the NT within this period or the permit will expire and another permit will need to be obtained.
- An import permit issued by the NT does not automatically allow the movement of wildlife out of another State/Territory.
- You must ensure that a corresponding permit or licence from the relevant interstate authority has been issued.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
WILDLIFE CARER’S PERMIT - no fee
- Designed to enable members of the public to care for injured wildlife and assist with the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife.
- Evidence of previous experience/training or membership of an approved wildlife rescue organisation is required.
- This permit does not allow for the animal to be kept on a permanent basis.
- Allow 5 days for processing.
TAKE OR INTERFERE WITH WILDLIFE - fees may apply
- A Permit for people wishing to take animals from the wild.
- Activities that require this type of permit are plant harvesting, crocodile harvesting, pet trade collection and removal of problem animals.
- Allow 2 weeks for processing
- Written permission of the land holder or relevant lands authority must be obtained prior to a permit application being submitted.
- Applicants are to contact Department Planning and Infrastructure to collect wildlife from road reserves.
- Permission must also be obtained from the relevant land council if an application for a permit involves Aboriginal Land.
UNDERTAKE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH - fees may apply
- A Permit for people wishing to observe, collect, survey or monitor wildlife in the wild for research purposes.
- Permission must be obtained from the relevant land council if an application for a permit involves Aboriginal Land.
- Applicants are to contact Department Planning and Infrastructure to conduct research on road reserves.
- Allow 4 weeks for processing.
PIG HUNTING PERMIT - $10 fee
- Permits are issued for a period of one year from 1 August to 31 July.
- The permit is issued to allow hunting of pigs within the NT hunting reserves of Shoal Bay and Harrison Dam only.
- The hunting reserves on which you can hunt feral pigs are identified on a map that is provided when you obtain your permit.
- Applicants must have a current Shooters Licence
- Allow 5 days for processing.
WATERFOWL HUNTING PERMIT - $20 fee
- Waterfowl hunting in the Northern Territory is seasonal and is declared by a notice each year in the Government Gazette.
- A hunting permit will not be issued without the provision of a current shooter’s licence.
- Within hunting reserves shooting is restricted to shotgun only.
- Rifles, pistols and crossbows are not permitted.
- The hunting reserves on which you can hunt waterfowl are identified on a map that is provided when you obtain your permit.
- Bag limits apply.
- Applicants must have a current Shooters Licence
- Allow 5 days for processing.