Farming certain wildlife

What this licence allows

A farming licence is required to keep, breed and use a farm animal. A farm animal is a protected animal stated in Schedule 3, Part 4 of the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020. These include emus, crocodiles, some invertebrates, and venomous snakes (for venom extraction) in Queensland. These are the only protected animals that can be farmed in Queensland.

To read the legislation online visit the Office of Queensland Parliamentary Counsel.

Before you apply

Before lodging your application, make sure you have:

  • determined purpose and the protected animals you are intending to farm and their lawful origin
  • gathered any relevant qualifications, certifications, insurance and supporting information
  • determined whether you intend to display the farmed animals – certain animals may only be displayed for an authorised display purpose
  • considered other legislation that may be applicable to your intended activity.

What you need to include in your application

Provide details about your activity:

  • For example, if breeding and sale of animals or offspring to other licensed holders (such as eggs or juveniles)
  • Or if processing and sale of authorised products (meat, skins, captive breeding, etc.)
  • List experience, transport and animal welfare
  • Collect supporting documents, where applicable
    • wild take obtained from an authorised holder
    • supplier licence permit details
    • import/movement approvals
    • parent animal identification/ descendant of lawfully obtained animal
    • current farming licence holder
    • property map showing enclosures, facilities and perimeter fencing
    • photographs
    • safety procedures if displaying - minimise escape, injury to people or animals, and procedures for not displaying animals that are visibly sick or injured.
  • This licence has a fee, refer to Schedule of fees and is issued for a period of 1 year, or for a period of more than 1 year but not more than three years.

Other considerations - are you farming Family Elapidae?

If the reptiles are to be kept for the purpose of venom extraction to produce antivenom for humans, you can comply with:

Farming wildlife for meat production

There are additional legal requirements for farming wildlife for meat production for human consumption or for the use of animal products (including venom) for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. Discuss any such proposal with the Department of Primary Industries or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) if required. Failure to engage these departments during the concept phase may delay your activities.

There are codes of practice adopted under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 concerning wildlife farming. If you get a wildlife farming licence for emus or crocodiles, you can comply with:

When assessing applications, the department has obligations under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and the Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming and Crocodile Egg Harvesting (2023–28).

Preparing and submitting your application

If you need assistance before lodging your application, you can request a pre-design conference application form

How to apply

or

Applications may take up to 40 business days to process.

Need help?

Reporting obligations

Licence holders must:

  • maintain records that support submitted returns.

Returns can be submitted through

Additional Requirements for Authority holders of Farming Licences for crocodiles

A requirement to submit an Annual Crocodile Farming Statement Annual Crocodile Farming Statement (PDF, 293.7KB) , as well as a return of operations Return of Operations: farming licence - crocodiles (PDF, 145.3KB) , detailing activities undertaken for the previous calendar year, is to be submitted by the 31 March of each year.

Additional Information

Other considerations for your wildlife interaction activity refer to Avian influenza (bird flu) and biosecurity management plan.