Reptile Licence by State: How to Apply, Classes and Costs

How reptile licensing works in Australia

Every Australian state and territory regulates the private keeping of reptiles, and while the details differ, the underlying framework is broadly similar everywhere: you generally need a licence or permit to keep native reptiles, the licence categories usually scale with the type of animal (with more restrictions for larger pythons, monitors, or venomous species), and the responsible authority is a state government department or agency, not a national body.

Each jurisdiction sets its own licence classes, application process and fees. Below we summarise the current licence names, how to apply and any fees the authority publishes, with a link to the official page for each state. Fees and species lists change, so always confirm on the official page before you apply.

Once you understand the licensing landscape, our guide to buying your first reptile in Australia walks through choosing a species that matches the licence class you are eligible for.

Basic keeper licences vs advanced and venomous categories

Most states structure their licensing in tiers. A basic or general category typically covers common, easier-to-keep species — think blue-tongue lizards, bearded dragons, and smaller pythons. Higher tiers, often called advanced, specialist, or restricted categories, cover larger constrictors, monitors, and venomous elapids, and usually come with extra conditions around experience, enclosure security, and sometimes mentorship or demonstrated competency.

Venomous species sit in their own category in every jurisdiction and are subject to the strictest requirements, generally including secure caging standards, incident response planning, and sometimes a requirement to hold antivenom knowledge or have a plan in place with local health services. If you are working toward or already hold a venomous licence, see our guide on handling venomous reptiles safely.

The exact names of these tiers — and what animals sit in which tier — differ by state. Always confirm current categories and eligibility directly with the authority listed below rather than relying on secondhand information.

Responsible authority by state and territory

This table is a starting point, not a substitute for checking directly with the authority. Licence categories, eligible species lists, application steps, and any costs are set and updated by each authority and can change, so always verify current requirements before you apply, transfer an animal interstate, or add a new species to your collection.

How to apply for a reptile licence in each state

New South Wales

To keep one native reptile you can hold a Companion Animal Keeper Licence, which costs $50 for five years (less for pensioners). To keep more than one reptile, or any species listed as class R1 (basic) on the NSW Native Animal Keepers' Species List, you need a Native Animal Keeper Licence, listed at $63 per class for two years or $143 for five years. Both apply online through Service NSW, and you must be 16 or older (or a parent or guardian applies). Advanced classes (R2 non-venomous and R3 to R5 venomous) use a separate application, require you to be 18 or older and need demonstrated experience. NSW reptile keeper licences.

Queensland

Queensland uses recreational wildlife licences. A Standard Licence lets you keep up to 10 class 1 animals, a Specialised Licence up to 50 class 1 and class 2 birds, reptiles and amphibians (listed at $365.10 for 2026-27), and an Advanced Licence covers more demanding species. Use the department's "What animals can I keep?" tool to see which licence a species needs, then apply through DETSI Online Services. Queensland: what reptiles can I keep?

Victoria

Victoria issues a Wildlife Basic Licence (species in Schedules 2 and 7 of the Wildlife Regulations) and a Wildlife Advanced Licence (Schedules 2, 3 and 7). Species in Schedule 4 can be kept without a licence. Animals must be captive bred, kept at the address on the licence and generally held for six months before you sell them. Apply online. Victorian private wildlife licences.

South Australia

South Australia groups native animals into Basic, Specialist, Exempt and Unprotected categories. You can keep one Basic animal without a permit, but you need a Permit to Keep and Sell Protected Animals (Hobbyist/Recreational) to keep two or more Basic animals, any Specialist animal, or to sell or give an animal away. Apply through the DEW wildlife permits portal. SA keep and sell permits.

Western Australia

WA issues a Fauna possessing (pet keeper's) licence in two levels: Standard for Category B species and Advanced for Category C species. Category A species need no licence. Check DBCA's species list to see which category your reptile falls in before you buy. WA fauna licences.

Northern Territory

Most native reptiles need a permit to keep protected wildlife, and you must apply within seven days of buying the animal, with proof of purchase. A short list of reptiles is exempt, including the central bearded dragon, central netted dragon, Centralian and common blue-tongued lizards, Children's python and the northern long-necked turtle. NT native animals that need a permit.

Tasmania

To keep Tasmanian reptiles and amphibians you need a Special Purposes Wildlife Permit for Herpetofauna. There is no fee, permits expire on 30 June each year and holders can keep up to six specimens of each authorised species. Up to six each of the common froglet, brown tree frog, metallic skink and spotted skink can be kept without a permit. Tasmanian herpetofauna permits.

Australian Capital Territory

You need a nature conservation licence to keep any animal that is not on the Exempt Animals Declaration. Five native reptile species are currently exempt, provided they come from captive-bred stock. A keeping licence lasts three years and must be in place before you acquire the animal. Keeping animals in the ACT.

Moving or selling reptiles between states

Because each state runs its own licensing scheme, a reptile that is legal to keep in one state is not automatically legal to keep, transport, or receive in another. Interstate movement of reptiles is a common area of confusion and a common compliance trap for keepers who assume the rules are national. Before you buy, sell, or transport a reptile across a state border, check the import/export or interstate movement requirements of both the sending and receiving state's authority.

If you are selling, our guide to selling reptiles legally in Australia covers what to check before you agree to an interstate sale, and how listings on HerpTrader should reflect licensing obligations.

Staying compliant day to day

Holding the right licence is the first step; keeping accurate, current records of your collection is what makes ongoing compliance manageable. Most authorities expect keepers to be able to account for the animals in their care, including acquisition details and, in some cases, notify the authority of significant changes to a collection. See our guide on reptile record keeping in Australia for a practical system that scales as your collection grows.

Setting this up properly from day one with a tool like HerpKeeper means you are never scrambling to reconstruct history when an authority, a vet, or a buyer asks for it.

Frequently asked questions