Many animals (including pets) and the equipment and vehicles used for their transport can carry pests and diseases that may pose a biosecurity threat to Western Australia (WA).
Import entry conditions are applied to these animals, animal feed and their bedding on a risk assessed basis. Some animals are prohibited for importation into WA while others may require an import permit and keeping permits to be issued prior to import.
The Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search shows a list of permitted animals that do not require import or keeping permits. Most animals are subject to quarantine inspection on arrival in WA and birdseed, fodder and bedding will require removal from cages. Inspection fees and charges may apply.
Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search
Inspections
For information related to inspection locations and bookings, visit WA border checkpoints.
Your pet cat or dog does not require any inspection or specific import entry requirements to enter WA.
There are no specific import entry requirements for these animals, but they do need to be inspected to ensure there is no quarantine risk material in the cages. Any straw, hay, seed, plant material and fresh fruit and vegetables need to be removed from the cages before the animals can be released for entry into WA.
All non-domestic or commercial breeds must be declared to Quarantine WA on arrival in WA and must be labelled with species name. Inspection fees and charges will apply.
Brown, wild-type rabbits are not considered domestic rabbits and as such are prohibited from import and keeping in WA.
Many reptiles and amphibians are prohibited entry to WA and others will require a permit to import or to keep.
You are required to check the permitted status of your pet with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Western Australian Organism List (WAOL). This must be done prior to importing animals into WA. Checking the permitted status will also ensure you have all required permits.
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
All reptiles and amphibians must be declared to Quarantine WA on arrival in WA and must be labelled with species name. Inspection fees and charges will apply.
You are required to check the permitted status of any spiders or insects on the Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) and for further restrictions on the Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search. This must be done prior to importing animals into WA.
All spiders and insects must be declared to Quarantine WA on arrival in WA and the outside packaging should clearly identify the species and feeding material. Inspection fees and charges will apply.
All livestock entering WA, must meet the published import conditions to be imported into WA. Livestock includes:
- ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, bison, buffalo and any hybrids)
- equines (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and any hybrids)
- camels
- camelids (alpaca, llama)
- pigs.
The published import conditions take the form of species specific LB1 Health Certificate for movement into Western Australia. A completed species specific LB1 Health Certificate parts 1 and 2, and any supporting documentation (as detailed in part 3), must be emailed to the Quarantine WA entry inspection point a minimum of 3 working days prior to the livestock arriving at the entry inspection point.
You are also required to check with DBCA regarding the requirements for keeping and importing native species.
Inspection by Quarantine WA will be required for quarantine risk material (such as straw, hay, plant material) in cages and to check their status on the Western Australian Organism List.
All birds are subject to quarantine inspection on arrival into Western Australia. Any birdseed must be removed from cages either at a quarantine checkpoint or at another location nominated by an inspector by way of an Inspectors Direction Notice. Inspection fees and charges may apply.
Many non-native species are prohibited entry into Western Australia and require an import permit to enter WA. The Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search shows a list of permitted animals that do not require import or keeping permits.
You are also required to check with the DBCA before importing any birds including pets.
Quarantine
All live fish (including crustaceans and corals) are subject to inspection on arrival in WA to check for the presence of unwanted pests and diseases.
They must be free from aquatic snails and any plants not listed as permitted in the WAOL. Any permitted water plants may have extra entry conditions that can be found in Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search.
Import requirements are also in place for crustaceans – see Quarantine WA Import Requirements Search.
Fish species
To protect our waters from the spread of aquatic pests, some fish species are banned from being imported into WA. This includes live fish listed as noxious and some non-endemic species.
If you plan to import live non-endemic fish into WA, you may also need to apply for translocation approval in relation to the species of fish. The application process is free-of-charge and should only take a few minutes to apply – see the links below.
Importing and keeping introduced animals
Introduced animals have been brought to a country or location where they don’t occur naturally. Introduced animals are also called exotic or alien species. Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that are introduced or relocated to new areas often cause problems to agriculture, the environment and the community. Problems can occur because animals often:
- damage agricultural crops
- displace native animals and plants
- carry diseases or parasites
- damage property
- cause land degradation
- have a negative impact on pets.
Captive animals can escape or be liberated, and over time establish populations in the wild. The harm they cause to agriculture and the environment is not always obvious at first. It may take many years for populations to reach pest proportions, but once established they are impossible to eradicate in most cases. Work to control pest animals and reduce the damage they cause imposes an enormous cost to society.
Introduced animals are primarily declared pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act). The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013 (regulations) specify keeping categories to regulate declared animals for the purposes they can be kept, and who or what entities can keep them for that purpose. A keeping permit or licence is the administrative tool used to assign conditions to a species declared under the BAM Act.
Declared animals prohibited under the BAM Act require an import permit to enter Western Australia (WA).
The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) is an online database of all animals, plants and pathogens declared under the BAM Act.
The following information for declared animals is available by accessing WAOL.
Declared Status – This designates under which section of the act the species is declared
- section 11 - permitted organism
- section 12 - prohibited organism and a declared pest (import prohibited except in accordance with an import permit and the regulations)
- section 22(2) - declared pest
- section 14 – unlisted organism (import prohibited except in accordance with an import permit and the regulations).
Control category - This designates the method of control used to manage risk
- C1 exclusion (entry prohibited)
- C2 eradication (remove incursions)
- C3 management (manage populations to lessen harmful impact).
Keeping category - This designates the level of security assigned to the keeping of a species
- Prohibited (no keeping as a pet or in aviculture)
- Restricted (permit to keep as a pet or in aviculture)
- Exempt (no permit required to keep).
Directions for using WAOL - Enter the scientific or common name to query or search the WAOL. It is recommended to search by scientific name rather than the common name as this will provide one record, whereas using a common name will provide records for any plant, animal and pathogen containing your search term.
All section 12 declared animals (includes birds regulated as restricted keeping) are prohibited and require an import permit from the department to enter WA. Import permits must be obtained prior to the animal entering WA and presented to Quarantine WA at the border checkpoints.
The regulations specify prohibited and restricted keeping categories for declared animals. The tables in the technical bulletin will assist readers to determine the legal restrictions applicable to declared terrestrial birds and mammals. The tables are lists of declared pests that require a permit to keep in aviculture, as pets or companions, or livestock. Some exempt keeping species are listed as they have other requirements.
The tables are not exhaustive and do not necessarily set out all restrictions or conditions applicable under the BAM Act, regulations, or other legislation. Species not listed in the tables can be looked up using the WAOL.
WA native or indigenous animals, as listed by the Western Australian Museum, are permitted organisms. A few native species are declared pests under the BAM Act because they are pests of agriculture.
All eastern Australian native animals are prohibited under the BAM Act unless they have been assessed and declared permitted.
Distinct from the BAM Act, all Australian native animals are regulated under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
In addition to any BAM Act permits animals native to Australia may also require import or keeping permits issued by DBCA.
People who keep animals without the appropriate permit, or who do not comply with the conditions of a permit, may be prosecuted and must forfeit their animals.
Please be responsible and legal, obtain a permit before you acquire any animal regulated under the BAM Act, and always comply with the conditions written on the permit.
If you are unsure of the legal requirements and restrictions applicable to a species, please contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) by calling +61 8 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Prohibited: Animals regulated as prohibited keeping can only be kept with a permit for public display and education, or genuine scientific research purposes, by state approved organisations. Animals in this category pose a significant biosecurity risk to WA and must be kept under conditions of high security. Biosecurity risk includes risk to the environment, agriculture and public safety.
Restricted: Animals regulated as restricted keeping have been assessed as posing a lower biosecurity risk to WA and can be kept with a permit by private individuals. Restricted animals can only be sold or transferred to other permit holders.
Exempt: Animals regulated as exempt keeping under the BAM Act do not require a permit to keep. However other requirements may apply, such as for the import and movement of livestock, import of pigeons and doves, and Australian native animals.
Report suspicious activities
Please report suspicious activities such as the illegal importation or sale of illegal animals or plants, or the keeping of exotic animals or birds to AgWatch | Crime Stoppers Western Australia for investigation.
Species not listed on WAOL are considered new (unlisted) to WA and must be assessed to determine risks to the State’s biosecurity. Permits to import or keep unlisted animals will not be issued until the species is assessed. A charge may apply for completion of an assessment.
Decisions on importation are made after careful consideration of both short and long-term consequences of allowing a species to enter WA. The assessment considers pest potential and the risk of a species establishing a population in the wild. Many animals are approved to enter with a permit, and conditions of entry and keeping. Some animals are not permitted to enter because they pose too great a risk. Permits to import or keep unlisted animals are not issued prior to completion of an assessment.
Permit conditions, applications and fees
Enquiries about the import and keeping of declared animals in WA may be addressed to:
Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 8 9368 3080 | padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
There is a charge for each application and any subsequent property inspections carried out by the department. Charges are payable by the importer, exporter or owner of the animal prior to a permit being processed. On receipt of an application, the department will issue an invoice.
Applications can be emailed to the department at ISPermit@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Applications may also be mailed to:
Invasive Species and Environment Biosecurity
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Locked Bag 4
Bently Delivery Centre WA 6983
A property inspection may be required to evaluate conditions and structures to meet department policy. Inspections are carried out by biosecurity officers. Permits are issued once all requirements are met.
When enclosure plans are submitted and a site inspected prior to the commencement of any construction or fencing, a provisional permit may be issued and the endorsed permit issued after the final inspection.
Import permits are issued according to the proposed date of importation. Keeping permits are issued for fixed periods, usually 2 to 3 years. A permit to keep must be renewed 3 months prior to the expiry date.
Import permits must be obtained from the department prior to entry to WA.
Birds kept in aviculture: Permits to keep birds regulated in the restricted keeping category are issued by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Wildlife Licensing on behalf of the department. This arrangement allows a central register to be maintained and avoids duplication for bird keepers by having one department responsible for issuing all aviculture permits.
Email wildlifelicensing@dbca.wa.gov.au
Restrictions apply on the maximum number of birds allowed to be held for each species kept with a permit at a location. Consult the tables in the bulletin for numbers.
The restriction on bird numbers is necessary to mitigate the risk of establishment in the wild resulting from high number of birds escaping at once. The restrictions apply to birds kept in private aviculture as pets or by hobby breeders, not registered commercial breeders. If hobby breeders exceed the limits due to unrestricted breeding they must reduce the numbers held by moving birds to other permit holders.
General conditions are applied to all permits, specific conditions are applied for a particular species or situation. Wire netting, enclosure and keeping conditions are specified for various groups of birds and mammals. Some species may require special conditions such as keeping limited to genuine society breeders, provision of minimum flight aviaries, or participation in official breeding programs.
Animals entering WA through the state barrier are inspected by departmental quarantine officers. Inspectors check for species' identity and necessary permits. It is very important to check if your animal is exempt from permits prior to presenting at the checkpoint.
Prohibited animals (including pet birds) without an import permit are refused entry; you will not be able to enter WA with the animal.
Contact this department or the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (dbca.wa.gov.au) for advice on options for re-homing unwanted birds and other animals. Surrendered animals are relocated with a responsible keeper, whenever possible. A person who releases (unless in accordance with a permit), abandons or fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent the escape of a declared animal, commits an offence and can be subject to fines under the BAM Act.
Department requirements must be meet prior to entry of livestock, pigeons and doves, regardless of whether these are kept as pets or for commercial purposes.
All ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, bison, buffalo), equines (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys), camels, camelids (alpaca, llama) and pigs (including mini or miniature pigs) are considered livestock.
Department health and fibre requirements must be met before entry to WA and a Waybill is required when livestock is moved.