Wildlife trade and conservation
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts regulates international movement of wildlife and wildlife products for all species except cetaceans under Part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and Subdivision D of Division 3 of Part 13 of the Act for cetaceans.
Law enforcement is essential to many aspects of wildlife conservation. We work closely with State and Territory wildlife authorities, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police, the wildlife authorities of other member countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Interpol, and some non-government organisations such as TRAFFIC to coordinate the application of intelligence resources around Australia and overseas to combat illegal wildlife trade activities. Learn more about CITES
An important and necessary complement to the regulatory system controlling wildlife trade is the seizure of wildlife and wildlife products that have been shipped in contravention of the EPBC Act.
The Australian Customs Service carries out seizures of illegally imported and exported wildlife and wildlife products. All officers of the Australian Customs Service are inspectors ex officio under the EPBC Act and carry out most of the enforcement actions required at Australia's border. Members of the Australian Federal Police and police forces from external territories as well as quarantine officers under the Quarantine Act 1908 are also inspectors ex officio under the EPBC Act. Learn more about Australian Customs
This leopard head was seized. Any product made from an endangered animal cannot be imported or exported without permission.
Part 17 of the EPBC Act details the provisions for enforcement. Authorised officers under the Act have powers to board vessels and access premises, conduct searches, make arrests, and obtain information from individuals suspected of involvement in the commission of an offence against the Act or regulations.
Tourists and returning holiday makers often bring souvenir items containing wildlife products into Australia. Souvenirs that contain CITES listed species may be seized if Australian requirements for import of that species have not been met or there is inadequate information to indicate that the specimen was legally exported from its country of origin. The Act provides for items containing CITES Appendix II specimens to be imported as personal baggage without an import permit in certain circumstances. Find out what's on the Australian CITES list
In addition to the souvenir items identified above, authorities also intercept covert attempts to circumvent Australia's wildlife laws by smuggling. Where these attempts involve live animals, they often involve inhumane practices. Subjecting an animal to cruel treatment under these circumstances is an offence punishable by imprisonment for up to two years. The EPBC Act requires that all live animals be shipped in a manner that minimises the risk of injury, any adverse impacts on its health and cruel treatment of the animal.
Where authorities intercept an attempt to smuggle protected wildlife, penalties are applied according to the severity of the offence and the conservation status of the species involved. Penalties for breaches under the EPBC Act range from seizure of the specimen or products to the application of severe fines and/or prison sentences.
Particular decisions regarding wildlife trade and actions taken under the EPBC Act may be subject to appeal.
For more information on wildlife seizures and enforcement of the wildlife trade provisions of the EPBC Act, please contact:
Another seized product. A bird perched on a branch.
The Director
International Wildlife Trade
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone (within Australia): (02) 6274 1900
Telephone (International): +61 2 6274 1900
Fax: +61 2 6274 1921
E-mail: wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au