Research
Importing or exporting wildlife for research purposes
Australia strictly controls trade in:
- Australian native specimens
- internationally endangered species (those on the CITES list)
- live animals
You may be able to obtain an import or export permit for specimens for scientific research purposes where the object of the research is to:
- better understand or increase knowledge of the taxon
- conserve biodiversity
- maintain and/or improve human health
Permits for research purposes
To apply for a permit, complete these forms:
- Application for a Single Use Permit to import, export or re-export wildlife or wildlife products (PDF - 95 KB) | (RTF - 383 KB) *
- Supplementary Form A: Non-Commercial - Research (PDF - 78 KB) | (Word - 725 KB)
* Multiple use permits are also available
Register as a scientific organisation
- Register as a scientific organisation for non-commercial loan, donation or exchange of scientific specimens between Australian and overseas institutions
Conditions
You will only be granted a permit if you can demonstrate that you and/or your organisation can satisfy the following requirements:
- The research is done by a person or institution that has sufficient resources and qualifications.
- The researcher publishes, or makes available for inspection, the results of the research.
- If asked by the Minister, the researcher gives to the Minister written information about the progress and results of the research.
- During and after the research, the researcher does not allow the specimen, or progeny or products of the specimen, to be used primarily for commercial purposes.
- For research involving a live animal, the animal is held in a way that is known to result in minimal stress and risk of injury to the animal.
- In the case of research in which an animal is killed, the killing is done in a way that is generally accepted to minimise pain and suffering.
- The number of specimens to be imported or exported is appropriate to the needs of the research.
- If possible, the specimen comes from an animal bred in captivity or artificially propagated plant.
- For a specimen listed as a threatened species, the export is not inconsistent with any recovery plan for the species.
Non-commercial purposes
Trade may be permitted for a range of non-commercial purposes.
- Trade for non-commercial purposes
- Conservation breeding or propagation
- Education
- Exchange of scientific specimens between registered scientific organisations
- Exhibitions
- Research
- Travelling exhibitions
Travelling with specimens as personal effects
Household pets
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