Keeping native animals
Your responsibilities
As the holder of a Native animal keeping licence (NAKL) you have a number of responsibilities.
Animal welfare
You are required to keep your animal in a way that protects the animal’s welfare and minimises its likelihood of escape. You should adhere to the following codes of practice:
- Code of practice—Aviculture (PDF, 901KB)
- Code of practice—Captive reptile and amphibian husbandry (PDF, 310KB)
Once you buy or receive an animal, you must keep that animal on your licence for at least six (6) months. If you need to sell or give away the animal within this timeframe, a request must be made in writing to Permit and Licence Management (PALM). You are not to move the animal until you have received a response to your request.
Confirming identification
When you obtain, accept, sell or give away wildlife under your NAKL you must obtain verification of the other person’s identity (e.g. driver’s licence).
If the other person is acting under a wildlife authority you must inspect their licence and keep a record of the licence number to update your online record book of this transaction within 72 hours.
Reporting on your activity
Every animal kept under a NAKL must be recorded in an approved electronic record system. It is the responsibility of the NAKL holder to use the online services systems or obtain paper based recording forms before keeping wildlife under the licence.
All transactions need to reported within 72 hours. If using paper-based records you are required to maintain them and provide copies to the Department on a regular basis.
An inspection of your facilities by a Queensland Government officer can be undertaken at any time. Consequently offline records must always be kept up to date and penalties may apply if they are not complete, accurate, legible or up to date.
For offline records, if your record book is lost or destroyed you must immediately contact PALM on 13QGOV (13 74 69).
The infringement notice penalty for failure to produce the record book or copy when requested is four (4) penalty units. If you are unable to comply with this direction you are required to provide a reasonable reason in writing to PALM.
Change of address or contact details
You must update your online services identity if you change your address or contact details. Penalties may apply if you fail to notify the department of any address or licence changes.
Contact details
Email: palm@des.qld.gov.au
Postal address
Permit and Licence Management
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
GPO Box 2454
BRISBANE QLD 4001
