In order to export Australian native animal or plant specimens, and/or CITES listed specimens for commercial purposes the specimens must come from an approved program such as those covered under a wildlife trade management plan.
Wildlife trade management plans generally cover large-scale breeding or cultivation programs, and are developed by the state or territory government agency responsible for managing the species. Wildlife trade management plans may be approved for up to five years.
Wildlife trade management plans are made and amended in the following ways:
- A declaration of a wildlife trade management plan is made through an instrument signed by the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and published on the Federal Register of Legislation.
- A declaration may be varied by specifying additional or new conditions, or revoking or varying existing conditions by a subsequent instrument published on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Application form
Application for approval of a wildlife trade management plan
If you would like your operation to be approved as a wildlife management plan, use the form below to apply for an approved wildlife management plan.
Approval processes and submission details are all included with the form.
No guidelines have been prepared for the approval of a wildlife trade management plan. If you intend to apply for approval of a wildlife trade management plan, please contact us for a copy of the model management plan.
Application for approval of a wildlife trade management plan (PDF - 161.31 KB)
Application for approval of a wildlife trade management plan (DOCX - 125.37 KB)
Commercial trade in live native mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians is prohibited.
Exporters sourcing specimens from an approved program must also have export permit issued by the Department.
Approved wildlife trade management plans
Wildlife trade management plans currently approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are listed below. Conditions of approval, species covered and period of approval, are specified in the individual declarations.
| State | Program name | Species | Organisation | Approval period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||||
| New South Wales | Whole Plant Sustainable Management Plan 2018-22 | Protected Plants | Office of Environment and Heritage NSW | 1 January 2018 | 31 December 2022 |
| New South Wales | NSW Cut-flower Sustainable Management Plan 2018–22 | Protected plants | Office of Environment and Heritage NSW | 1 January 2018 | 31 December 2022 |
| New South Wales | New South Wales Commercial Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2017-2021 |
Macropus rufus |
Office of Environment and Heritage NSW | 1 January 2017 | 31 December 2021 |
| Northern Territory | Wildlife Trade Management Plan- Crocodile Farming in the Northern Territory 2021 - 2025 | Crocodylus porosus | Northern Territory Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security | 4 December 2020 | 4 December 2025 |
| Queensland | Commercially Harvested Macropods 2018-22 | Macropus rufus Macropus giganteus Macropus robustus |
Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection | 1 January 2018 | 31 December 2022 |
| Queensland |
Wildlife Trade Management Plan for Queensland protected plants 2019–24 |
Protected plants | Queensland Department of Environment and Science | 5 August 2019 | 4 August 2024 |
| Queensland | Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming | Crocodylus johnstoni Crocodylus porosus |
Queensland Department of Environment and Science | 1 November 2018 | 31 October 2023 |
| South Australia | South Australian Commercial Kangaroo Management Plan 2020-2024 | Macropus rufus Macropus fuliginosus Macropus robustus |
South Australia Department for Environment and Water | 14 March 2020 | 31 December 2024 |
| Tasmania | Tree Fern Management Plan for the Sustainable Harvesting, Transporting or Trading of Dicksonia antarctica in Tasmania | Dicksonia antarctica | Tasmanian Forest Practices Authority | 18 October 2017 | 17 October 2022 |
| Western Australia | Management Plan for the Commercial Harvest of Kangaroos in Western Australia 2019-2023 | Macropus rufus Macropus fuliginosus |
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | 1 January 2019 | 31 December 2023 |
| Western Australia | Management of Commercial Harvesting of Protected Flora in Western Australia | Protected plants | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | 27 June 2018 | 27 June 2023 |