System guides and FAQs

You can apply for the following permits through the online Wildlife Permit System:

Keep, sell or display native animals (including eggs)

• Basic Permit to Keep and Sell Protected Animals (Hobbyist/Recreational)
• Specialist Permit to keep and Sell Protected Animals (Hobbyist/Recreational).
• Sell Protected Animal Permit
• Basic Permit to Keep and Sell Protected Animals (Dealer)
• Specialist Permit to keep and Sell Protected Animals (Dealer)
• Wildlife Displayer Permit (Commercial)
• Mobile Wildlife Educator/demonstrator permit (Commercial)
• Basic Permit to Keep and Sell Protected Animals (Scientific/biological products)
• Import/Export Permit (Wildlife)
• Permit to keep eggs of protected animals
• Permit to keep and sell eggs of protected animals
• Emu Farming Permit

Rescue and Rehabilitation permits

• Protected animals rescue permit
• Wildlife Carer Permit
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility permit
• Retain Protected animals unfit for release permit

• Wildlife Management (controller) permit
• Permit to destroy wildlife
• Trap and release protected animals permit

• Take protected animals from the wild permit
• Permit to collect native plant material – commercial – Class A
• Permit to collect native plant material – Bush food collection – Class B
• Permit to collect native plant material – Individual/community/botanic garden – Class C
• Permit to collect native plant material – Threatened species – Class D

Kangaroo Industry Permits

• Permit to sell protected animals (Kangaroo meat processor)
• Permit to sell protected animals (tannery and skin)
• Permit to harvest and sell or use protected animals (kangaroo field processor)(concession)
• Permit to harvest and sell or use protected animals (kangaroo field processor)
• Import/export (Kangaroo Industry)

Hunting Permits

The standard processing time for new applications is between 6 – 8 weeks. These times might varying depending on the type of permit you are applying for and the level of information needed.

A confirmation message will display on the screen with an application number to let you know the form and payment has been successfully submitted. A tax invoice will be sent to your nominated email address.

2024 permit reapplications for existing permit holders will be available from 18 June 2024. To comply with relevant laws, you should complete your reapplication before your current permit(s) expire on 30 June 2024.

Existing permit holders will receive an email when permit reapplications are available. This will include detailed information on the reapplication process.

The reapplication period closes on 31 July 2024.

The following permit types will be automatically approved (if there are no changes to the details you provided previously):

• Basic permit to keep and sell protected animals (hobbyist/recreational)
• Specialist permit to keep and sell (hobbyist recreational) – excluding venomous snake endorsements and grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Basic permit to keep and sell protected animals (Fauna Dealer)
• Specialist permit to keep and sell (Fauna Dealer) – excluding venomous snake endorsements and grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Wildlife displayer permit (commercial) – excluding venomous snake endorsements and grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Wildlife rehabilitation facility permit – excluding grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Wildlife carer permit – excluding grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Retain protected animals unfit for release permit - excluding grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Permit to keep and sell protected animals (scientific/biological products) –excluding venomous snake and grey-headed flying fox endorsements
• Permit to keep eggs of protected animals
• Permit to keep and sell eggs of protected animals
• Emu farming permit

Your reapplication starts as soon as you click the ‘reapply’ button. If you close or click out of the application before it is submitted, you can find the incomplete application saved in ‘my account’ under your ‘draft applications’ or in the ‘unpaid applications’ section depending on the stage of process you made it to.

Yes. However, if you do this your reapplication will not be eligible for auto approval.

To add an additional species endorsement to your permit as a part of the reapplication process, please provide details in the ‘change details’ section of the reapplication form.

Your reapplication will then be forwarded to the Fauna Permits Unit for assessment of your knowledge and experience in relation to the species of animal that you are applying to add to your permit.

We may request additional information and documentation, and this could add to the processing time of your permit reapplication.

To add an additional premises to your permit (location where animals are kept) as a part of the reapplication process, please provide details in the ‘change details’ section of the reapplication form.

Your reapplication will then be forwarded to the Fauna Permits Unit for assessment.

To make sure you keep your current permit number, you must finish and submit your reapplication form before 31 July 2024.

If you don’t reapply by this date you will need to complete a brand-new application and must meet all the relevant criteria (information supplied on previous applications will not be considered for a new application).

The information you must record may vary depending on the type of permit that you have.

In general, you must keep information relating to each animal that comes into your care and any animal that leaves your care, including:

• the date you got the animal
• how you got the animal (e.g., purchased, gifted, rescued etc)
• who you got the animal from (including full name, address and permit number (if applicable))
• the date you no longer have the animal if applicable
• why you no longer have the animal (e.g., sold, gifted, unfortunately passed away)
• who you gave the animal to if relevant (including full name, address and permit number (if applicable))
• the total number of animals you currently have

Records must be updated within 48 hours of anything changing.

You can read step-by-step instructions on how to use the online record book in our guide.

This is personal preference.

As long as you keep a record of the required information, you can choose how you would like to record it (e.g., it could be via a manual record book, an excel spreadsheet, a notebook or any other method that is readable and easily accessible).

You can read step-by-step instructions on how to switch to manual record keeping in our guide.

A stock return is a summary of your records (a tally of the animals you brought into your home, or out of your home) for the financial year. Completing a stock return each year is part of the requirements of a wildlife permit.

You must complete a stock return even if you have no animals or have nothing new to report.

You will need to provide the following information:

• How many animals you started the year with (1 July)
• How many animals you ended the year with (30 June)
• If and how you got each animal (e.g., purchased, rescued), and if and how you no longer have them (e.g., sent them to someone else, or they sadly passed away)

The most important part is to make sure the list of animals you currently have is right – this is called your ‘stock on hand’.

Anyone who holds an active wildlife permit is required to complete an annual stock return within 14 days of the permit expiring. A return must be completed even if you no longer have animals or you have nothing new to report.

You will be able to complete your stock return from 30 June 2024.

An email notification will be sent to permit holders with instructions on how to submit your return. In the interim, please ensure that your online record book (if applicable) is accurate and up to date.

User testing allows you to test any major upgrades/changes to the Wildlife Permit System before they launch.

This is an opportunity for us to gain valuable feedback from customers, as well as uncover and address any bugs or issues that may not have been detected.

If you’ve registered your interest in participating in user testing, you’ll receive a call from the Fauna Permits Unit when a new testing opportunity is available.

Each test will be limited to a specific number of people, chosen at random, both to reduce the burden on testers and ensure that we can help you if required.

If you’re able to participate, you will get an email with some instructions to follow and a survey/document to write your feedback in when have finished.

You’ll be asked to perform the test in the same way you would normally use the online system, whether that be on a mobile phone or on your computer etc.

The testing is simple and shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to complete depending on the upgrade / new feature. You will typically have 7 days to complete the test.

We will then review all feedback provided and determine if and how the functionality can be improved prior to launch.

You can complete our form to register your interest in participating.

Please notify the department in writing that you would like to cancel your permit. You will be required to complete a final stock return to show that you are no longer in possession of animals requiring a permit.

There are no concession discounts for protected animal permits.

As indicated during the application process, application fees are non-refundable* and are payable upon application. Payment does not guarantee that the application will be approved.

*Exceptions may be granted for duplicate applications where payment has been made twice.

You will be able to reset your password by selecting the ‘forgot password’ button on the login page and using the email that you originally created your account with. If you are experiencing issues with the login portal, please contact Service SA on 131 084.

How-to guides have been developed to provide step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the online permit system.

You can also contact us on the details below:

Email: DEWfaunapermitsunit@sa.gov.au
Telephone: (08) 8124 4972 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).

While we are committed to improving the user experience and encourage permit holders to engage with the online system, we do however understand that some individuals are unable or do not wish to access the online Wildlife Permits System.

If you are having problems using the online Wildlife Permit System and wish to switch back to manual application forms and record keeping, please contact:

DEW Fauna Permits Unit
Email: DEWfaunapermitsunit@sa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8124 4972

DEW Kangaroo Management Program
Email: kmp@sa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8648 5318