Private wildlife licences

There are 4 types of wildlife licences available for people to keep wildlife at home.

Do I need a wildlife licence?

You do not need to apply for a wildlife licence for species listed in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Regulations 2013 if you are keeping for non-commercial purposes. However, you must acquire animals from a lawful source (for example the holder of a Wildlife Dealer licence). Animals cannot be taken from the wild.

A wildlife licence is required to keep any animals listed in Schedules 2, 3 and 7 of the Wildlife Regulations 2013. If a species (or sub-species) is not listed in these schedules, it cannot be held under a Wildlife Basic or a Wildlife Advanced Licence.

A Wildlife Specimen licence is required to keep any prepared or mounted specimens of wildlife for non-commercial purposes.

A licence is not required to possess processed wildlife products (other than by taxidermy) from the following wildlife:

  • freshwater or saltwater crocodile
  • emu
  • common brushtail possum
  • eastern or western grey kangaroo
  • whiptail wallaby
  • common wallaroo/euro
  • red-necked wallaby
  • red kangaroo
  • Tasmanian pademelon.

Applying for a wildlife licence

Before applying for a private wildlife licence, you should determine what type of licence you need. Refer Private wildlife licenses for information about the different types.

You can now apply online Apply for a Wildlife Basic Licence, a Wildlife Advanced Licence, a Wildlife Specimen Licence, or a Dingo Licence.

Apply now

Alternatively you can download the form below:

Private Wildlife Licence Application Form (July 2023)
Word 223.95 KB
(opens in a new window)
Dingo Licence Application Form (July 2023)
Word 213.15 KB
(opens in a new window)

Hard copy application forms can also be sent to you by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

You can view the Wildlife Regulations 2013.

Please 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 will be required as part of the application process for all Dingo Licences and may be required in some other instances. You will be contacted by the Conservation Regulator if this is the case.

Licence fees

Do not include payment with your application - if your application is successful, a payment notice will be sent to you with appropriate fee.

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

TypeFull fee (1 year)Concession (1 year)
Wildlife Basic Licence$133.10$66.50
Wildlife Advanced Licence$246.40$123.20
Dingo Licence$190.80$95.40
Wildlife Specimen Licence (to 30 September 2025)$47.70$23.80

Concession eligibility

You're eligible for a concession on the cost of a private wildlife licence if you hold the following cards:

  • Centrelink Health Care Card
  • Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
  • Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card

Student card and seniors cards do not meet concession eligibility requirements.

Details about eligible concession cards are available from the Department of Health and Human Services.

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 at least 4 weeks for your licence application to be assessed.
  • If your application is successful you will be sent a payment notice for your licence.
  • Your licence and Record Book will be posted to you in approximately 2 weeks.
  • To avoid delays, please email your application and complete payments electronically.

Your wildlife licence cannot be emailed to you, it must be issued with a hard copy Record Book.

You must not buy or possess any wildlife (except those species where a licence is not required) until you have received your licence and Record Book.

What happens after I have submitted an application?

Once your application is received, it will be assessed as quickly as possible.

If your application is successful you will be sent a payment notice for your licence.

Upon receipt of your payment, your licence and Record Book will be posted to you in approximately 2 weeks. Your wildlife licence cannot be emailed to you, it must be issued with a hard copy Record Book.

You must not buy or possess any wildlife (except those species where a licence is not required) until you have received your licence and Record Book.

This content now only relevant for people downloading the ‘hard copy’, and will be included in that version of the application forms rather than on the website.

Wildlife 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.

Apply now

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

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

Updated