
In Australia, it is illegal to own certain animals as pets, and this varies by state. In New South Wales (NSW), a licence is required to keep most native animals as pets, including some native birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and turtles. Forty-one native bird species bred in captivity can be kept without a licence. In South Australia (SA), a basic permit is required to keep certain species of owls, such as the Hook Owl and Tawny Frogmouth. Falconry and keeping raptors as pets have been outlawed nationwide since 1978, except for registered carers and zoos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of owning an owl as a pet in Australia | It is illegal to own an owl as a pet in Australia without a license. |
| Requirements to own an owl as a pet in Australia | A Class B2 Native Animal Keeper License or a Bird Keeper License is required to own an owl as a pet in Australia. |
| Exceptions | In South Australia, a basic permit is sufficient to keep certain species of owls, such as the Morepork Owl and Tawny Frogmouth. |
| Legality of falconry in Australia | Falconry has been outlawed nationwide since 1978. |
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What You'll Learn
- In New South Wales, you need a licence to keep most native animals as pets
- Some native birds can be kept without a licence
- In South Australia, you can keep a Hook Owl and Tawny Frogmouth on a basic permit
- Falconry has been outlawed in Australia since 1978
- Penalties apply for keeping a prohibited pet in Queensland

In New South Wales, you need a licence to keep most native animals as pets
In Australia, it is illegal to own an owl as a pet without a licence. In New South Wales, a licence is required to keep most native animals as pets. This includes native reptiles, birds, frogs, and mammals. The specific licence needed is a biodiversity conservation licence granted under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The type of licence depends on the species and number of animals one wants to keep.
To obtain a licence to keep a native animal as a pet in New South Wales, individuals must be at least 16 years old. If an applicant is under 16, the licence application must be submitted under the name of a legal parent or guardian. Before applying for a licence, individuals must decide on the animal they want to keep, as some animals are only available to those with advanced licences.
Some native birds, such as budgerigars, can be kept without a licence. Additionally, forty-one native bird species bred in captivity can be kept as pets without a licence. However, none of these animals may be caught in the wild. Licences are in place to protect and maintain healthy native animal populations and ensure that pet owners are equipped with the knowledge to care for their animals properly.
For those interested in keeping an owl as a pet in New South Wales, a Class B2 Native Animal Keeper Licence is required. It is essential to contact the Bird Keeper Association Australia and Wildlife Rescue Australia for training and further information.
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Some native birds can be kept without a licence
In Australia, it is illegal to keep certain birds as pets, particularly those that are native to the country. However, some native birds can be kept as pets without a licence in New South Wales (NSW). These typically include certain species that have been bred in captivity.
The NSW government has a Native Animal Keepers' Species List that specifies which native animal species can be kept as pets. This list includes native birds like budgerigars, which do not require a licence to own. Additionally, 41 other native bird species bred in captivity can be kept as pets without a licence.
It is important to note that the legal requirements for keeping native birds as pets may vary across different states and territories in Australia. For example, in South Australia, a basic permit is required to keep certain bird species, such as the Boobook Owl and Tawny Frogmouth.
To legally own a native bird as a pet, it is essential to refer to the specific regulations in your state or territory. These regulations are in place to protect native bird populations and ensure that pet owners have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide proper care for their avian companions.
If you are considering keeping a native bird as a pet, it is recommended to contact the relevant government department, such as the Department of Environment and Science, to obtain up-to-date information on the legal requirements and restrictions in your specific location.
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In South Australia, you can keep a Hook Owl and Tawny Frogmouth on a basic permit
In Australia, the rules regarding keeping owls as pets vary across states. In South Australia, you can keep a Hook Owl and a Tawny Frogmouth on a basic permit. This is an exception to the general rule, as typically, you need a licence to keep native animals as pets in Australia.
In New South Wales, for example, a Class B2 Native Animal Keeper Licence is required to keep an owl as a pet. This licence falls under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and it is important to obtain it before acquiring any native animal as a pet. Licences are necessary to protect native animal populations and ensure that pet owners are equipped with the knowledge to care for these species safely.
Some native birds, such as budgerigars, can be kept without a licence in New South Wales. Additionally, forty-one native bird species bred in captivity do not require a licence to be kept as pets. However, it is essential to note that these birds cannot be caught in the wild and must come from captive breeding programs.
Queensland also prohibits keeping certain animals as pets, with penalties in place for keeping prohibited pets. It is important to contact the relevant state departments, such as the Department of Environment and Science in Queensland, to understand the specific regulations for keeping native birds and other exotic animals as pets.
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Falconry has been outlawed in Australia since 1978
In Australia, it is illegal to own certain animals as pets, and there are penalties for keeping prohibited pets. Falconry, or the keeping of birds of prey, has been outlawed in Australia since 1978. This means that it is illegal to keep raptors in Victoria unless you are a zoo or a registered carer.
In New South Wales, a licence is required to keep most native animals as pets. The specific licence needed is a biodiversity conservation licence under Part 2 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. This licence must be obtained before acquiring the native animal as a pet, and it must be renewed when it expires. Licence holders must also keep records of their native animal pets in an online record book. Some native birds, like budgerigars, can be kept without a licence, and there are 41 native bird species that can be kept without one.
In South Australia, a basic permit is required to keep certain species of owls, such as the Hook Owl and Tawny Frogmouth.
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Penalties apply for keeping a prohibited pet in Queensland
In Queensland, penalties apply for keeping prohibited pets. These penalties vary depending on the type of animal and the circumstances of the offence.
For example, it is illegal to keep live bees or bring used beekeeping equipment into Queensland from Tasmania. If you wish to bring bee products such as comb or pollen into the state, they must be frozen for 24 hours prior, and you must have a health certificate.
If you are moving to Queensland and own a prohibited pet, you can surrender it to Biosecurity Queensland or local government. For instance, certain freshwater fish are declared noxious in Queensland and cannot be brought into the state without incurring a fine.
Some exotic and native birds may be kept as pets in Queensland, but this depends on the species and whether a licence is required. For instance, a basic permit is required to keep a Southern Boobook Owl or Tawny Frogmouth in South Australia. In New South Wales, a Class B2 Native Animal Keeper Licence is required to keep an owl as a pet.
Dog owners in Queensland must also be aware of the laws regarding dog control and breed prohibitions. Dog attacks can result in on-the-spot fines of $806, with the most serious offences carrying penalties of up to $112,910 and potential imprisonment. Local governments can also enforce destruction orders for dogs that pose a danger.
Additionally, all dogs in Queensland must be registered with the local council within 14 days of moving to a new area, and microchipping is mandatory for both cats and dogs.
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Frequently asked questions
It is illegal to own an owl in Australia without a licence. In New South Wales, you need a Class B2 Native Animal Keeper Licence to keep an owl as a pet. Some native birds bred in captivity can be kept as pets without a licence.
To obtain a licence to keep an owl as a pet in Australia, you must be at least 16 years old and apply for the licence before acquiring the owl. The specific requirements and restrictions may vary depending on the state and local regulations.
Yes, there are alternative options if you are interested in birds of prey. Falconry, for example, is a practice where trained birds of prey are used for hunting. However, it is important to note that falconry has been outlawed in Australia since 1978.











































