Commercial wildlife licences

Find the right commercial wildlife licence for your business.

Who can apply for a commercial wildlife licence?

Commercial wildlife licences can be issued to a person or to a corporation, company or business entity. Licences are not transferable and are available for on or three years.

What are the requirements?

Any application for a commercial wildlife licence must include:

  • Completed application form with all necessary supporting information.
  • National Police Certificate (name only), issued within the last 2 years.

Applicants (including the nominated responsible person) must be over 18 years of age.

Select a wildlife licence

Commercial wildlife licences: Natural person

Complete the wildlife licence to be issued to a person:

Commercial Wildlife Licence Application (Natural Person) July 2023
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Licences issued to a natural person are not transferable. If you are seeking to buy or take over an existing wildlife business, a new licence is required prior to taking possession of any wildlife.

Commercial wildlife licences: Body corporate

Complete the commercial wildlife licence in the name of a body corporate (including corporations, companies or business entities):

Commercial Wildlife Licence Application (Body Corporate) July 2023
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The body corporate must nominate a natural person who will be responsible for managing the business on the application. A National Police Certificate (name only) must be supplied for the nominated responsible person.

For licences issued to a body corporate, if the nominated responsible person leaves the business, a new person can be added to a licence issued to a body corporate without having to apply for a new one.

Prepare your application

Ensure that you provide all required information as part of your application. Missing information will result in a delay in processing your application.

An inspection or interview may be required as part of the application process.

Applications for Wildlife Demonstrator Licences and Wildlife Displayer Licences must also include the design, specifications and materials to be used in the construction of a pit for displaying or demonstrating dangerous or venomous wildlife during travelling displays or demonstrations, showing that it is an open topped enclosure designed, constructed and maintained to:

  • Allow the safe display or demonstration of dangerous wildlife from within the enclosure.
  • Prevent the escape of any dangerous or venomous wildlife from within the enclosure.
  • Ensure the walls of the enclosure are constructed from solid and sturdy materials with no gaps or holes that may allow a person outside the enclosure to protrude any part of their body through the walls.

Licence fees

Do not include payment with your application. If your application is successful, you will be invoiced for the appropriate licence fee.

From 1 July 2023, the annual cost for each type of commercial wildlife licence is provided as a guide only, as the licence fee is pro-rata by month. Discounts apply for licences issued for 3 years.

Type 1 year licence
Wildlife Controller$318.00
Wildlife Dealer$909.40
Wildlife Demonstrator$593.00
Wildlife Short-Term Demonstrator (3 months)$148.20
Wildlife Displayer$815.60
Wildlife Processor$782.20
Wildlife Farmer$782.20
Wildlife Taxidermist$647.10

Submit your application

Email your completed application to wildlifelicensing@delwp.vic.gov.au

You can also post your application to:
DEECA
Permissions Delivery
475 Mickleham Road
Attwood VIC 3049

Allow 6-8 weeks for the application process.

You must not acquire any wildlife until you have received your licence and record book.

Licence types

Secondary permissions

Wildlife Regulations 2013 require the holder of certain types of wildlife licence to obtain prior written permission before conducting certain transactions.

The most common secondary permissions are:

  • Acquire wildlife from an unlicensed person
  • Dispose of wildlife to an unlicensed person
  • Dispose of wildlife held for less than 6 months
  • Acquire unscheduled wildlife

Apply now

Alternatively, you can email your request to wildlifelicensing@delwp.vic.gov.au.

More information

Wildlife Regulations 2013

Updated