Apply for a companion native animal keeper licence

If you want to keep a native animal, you can apply for a companion native animal keeper licence under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). The licence allows you to hold one companion native animal at a time, and is valid for 5 years.

Companion class animals are identified on the NSW Native Animal Keepers' Species List, and you'll need to nominate the species you want when you apply.

You can apply for this licence online.

You'll need to:

• be over 16 years of age
• have read and agreed to the conditions relating to the companion animal licence to be granted under the BC Act.
• acknowledge that further specific conditions may be applied to a licence granted by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
• acknowledge that a companion animal keeper licence permits you to hold only one individual animal at any one time
• notify Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in writing if there is any change to your selected species
• certify that you have not been prosecuted under the BC Act or other relevant legislation in NSW or any other state of Australia in the past 12 years.

• your personal details
• your residential and postal address
• the species code as identified in the NSW Native Animal Keepers' Species List
• your concession card details (if applicable).

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Find the species code.
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
4. Log in or create an account.
5. Complete the online application form.
6. Enter your payment details.
7. Read and confirm the declaration.

For online transactions:

• credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa, UnionPay, Diners Club or American Express).

For phone transactions:

• credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express).

Please note that you may need to pay a merchant fee when paying by credit or debit card.