If you wish to keep reptiles, you must get a licence from the NPWS. The NPWS reptile licensing and record-keeping system allows us to monitor what reptile species are being kept, bred and traded amongst enthusiasts. People who hold a licence can obtain reptiles from other people who legally hold them, but they are not allowed to be sold through pet shops and must not be taken from the wild. There are two classes of reptile keeper licences: Class 1 licence A Class 1 licence authorises you to keep most of the common species that are easy to look after. A person with just a basic knowledge of the needs of reptiles should have no difficulty meeting the needs of these species. Some of the animals which can be kept under a Class 1 licence are:
eastern snake-necked turtle
eastern water dragon
eastern bearded dragon
common bluetongue
children's python
carpet python.
The fee is $60 for a licence lasting up to two years, or $120 for up to five years. Anyone over the age of 10 years can get a Class 1 licence. If you're under the age of 16 years, you must have parental/guardian consent.
Class 2 licence You'll need a Class 2 licence if you want to keep species that are difficult to keep, rare in the wild or dangerous venomous snakes. A person with a Class 2 licence can also keep Class 1 species. The Class 2 licence is only available to people who are over the age of 18 years who have had at least two years experience in caring for Class 1 reptiles. Some of the species that can be kept under a class 2 licence include:
woma python
lace monitor
frilled lizard.
Additional criteria need to be met before venomous species may be kept. The venomous snakes in this licence class are grouped into three sub-categories and the most dangerous species can be kept only by the more experienced keepers. The licence fee is $60 per year, $120 for two years or $240 for five years. Documents to download