Additional wildlife authorities and exemptions

From 22 August 2020, individuals, businesses and entities can carry out the following essential day-to-day activities without requiring a permit or licence.

Individuals: discarded or naturally shed parts of a protected animal

Individuals can collect, keep, and use discarded or naturally shed parts of a protected animal for a private collection or use, such as a bird’s feather or snake skin.

This applies to natural products used for artwork, even though that art may be sold in the future.

If, however, the discarded part is sold directly (such as wholesale sale to a retailer or art studio) then a harvesting licence is required.

The State Museum: use of animals for scientific and educational purposes

The State Museum does not need a Museum Licence to take, keep and use (including processing) a protected animal, other than from a protected area, for scientific and educational purposes. This general authorisation will only apply if the take is not likely to impact on the survival of a species.

In addition, the State Museum:

• cannot take an animal from the wild for display (i.e. display animals must be captive-bred) or take, keep and use a protected animals for bio-discovery
• can only temporarily display an animal for a period of one (1) month
• can only buy or accept a protected animal from a person who is authorised to sell or give away the animal.

Aviation authorities/commercial airports: damage mitigation

Some aviation authorities and commercial airports will be authorised to take, remove and relocate a protected animal to protect public safety if the animal is impacting on airport operations (such as birds and bats interfering with runways).

Reasonable attempts must first be taken to prevent or minimise the threat and any action that is taken must not adversely affect the survival of the animal in the wild.

More information on damage mitigation permits is available.

Australian Defence Force: survival training

The Australian Defence Force does not need a collection authority to take, keep and use least concern animals for the purpose of survival training for members. This provision applies to State and Commonwealth land that is not a protected area under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The Australian Defence Force cannot take, keep and use least concern animals for a commercial purpose.

Emergency services: education and training

Emergency service officers can keep a collection of dead protected animals for education and training purposes. For example, the Queensland Ambulance Service can keep a collection of dead venomous snakes to train staff to identify these snakes so they can respond appropriately in an emergency situation.