This post is a basic guide for what can and can’t be kept within the states of Australia. It is in no way to be taken as the law, make sure to do your own research before moving/keeping any invertebrates. Please comment to suggest an edit.
VIC, NSW, ACT and SA
VIC, NSW, ACT & SA invertebrate import Requirements:
- VIC, NSW, ACT & SA- No restrictions apply shipping unprotected native invertebrate species between these states
- QLD- No restrictions, movement advice must be supplied with Urodacus spp. and Theraphosids (tarantulas) leaving the state
- NT- Requires export permit from NT.gov.au. No permit fee
- TAS- Requires export permit from DPIPWE TAS. Export fee is $15.80 or $3.16 per animal, whichever is greater.
- WA- Requires export permit from DPAW WA. Export fee is $30 per consignment maximum of 5 species per permit.
What invertebrate species can I keep in VIC, NSW, ACT & SA?
- Residents of these states can keep any native, unprotected invertebrate species
- Exotic invertebrates are strictly prohibited, excluding a select few for agricultural, biological control uses etc.
WA
WA Import requirements:
- All states- Import permit from DPAW WA is required for all imports, only a select few species can be imported. Application fee is $30 per consignment and 5 species are allowed per permit.
- QLD- Movement advice must be supplied with Urodacus spp. and Theraphosids (tarantulas) leaving the state
- NT- Requires export permit from NT.gov.au. No permit fee
- TAS- Requires export permit from DPIPWE TAS. Export fee is $15.80 or $3.16 per animal, whichever is greater.
What invertebrate species can I keep in WA?
WA residents may keep any unprotected WA endemic native invertebrate species. A select few species may also be imported on permit.
Importable species
For the purpose of staying concise we have only included species which may be considered as pets. A full list can be found at: WAOL.
- Argiope keyserlingi (St. Andrew’s cross spider)
- Charinus pescotti (Whip scorpion)
- Phlogius crassipes (Bird eating spider)
- Coremiocnemis tropix (Dwarf tarantula)
- Selenotypus plumipes (Australian tarantula)
- Selenocosmia stirlingi (Whistling spider)
- Hormurus waigiensis (Rainforest scorpion)
- Urodacus elongatus (Flinders Ranges scorpion)
- Urodacus mancrurus (QLD desert scorpion)
- Urodacus manicatus (Black rock scorpion)
- Urodacus yaschenkoi (Desert Scorpion)
- Archimantis brunneriana
- Archimantis latistyla (Grass mantis)
- Archimantis sobrina (Large brown mantis)
- Archimantis quinquelobate
- Archimantis straminea
- Archimantis monstrosa (Monster mantis)
- Neomantis australis (Net winged mantis)
- Orthodera ministralis (Common green mantis)
- Pseudomantis albofimbriata (False garden mantis)
- Tenodera australasiae (Purple winged mantis)
- Acrophyllatitan (Titan stick insect)
- Acrophylla wuelfengi (Giant walking stick)
- Anchiale briareus (Strong stick insect)
- Ctenomorpha gargantua (Gargantuan stick insect)
- Ctenomorpha marginipennis (Margin-winged stick insect
- Denhama austrocarinata (Australian ridged stick insect)
- Eurycnema goliath (Goliath stick insect)
- Extatosoma tiaratum (Spiney leaf stick insect)
- Onchestus rentzi (Crowned stick insect)
- Phyllium monteithi (Australian leaf insect)
- Tropidoderus childrenii (Children’s stick insect)
- Macropanesthia rhinoceros (Giant burrowing cockroach)
- Hedleyella falconeri (Giant panda snail)
- Ethmostigmus rubripes (Giant centipede)
- Xylotrupes gideon (Rhinoceros beetle)
TAS
TAS import requirements:
- All states- An import permit is required for all imports, from DPIPWE TAS, application fees are $15.80 or $3.16 per animal, whichever is greater.
- QLD- Movement advice must be supplied with Urodacus spp. and Theraphosids (tarantulas) leaving the state
- NT- Requires export permit from NT.gov.au. No permit fee
- WA- Requires export permit from DPAW WA. Export fee is $30 per consignment maximum of 5 species per permit.
Only a select few native species may be imported unrestricted to TAS. We currently have no option for TAS residents to purchase, get in contact with us via our contact page to arrange import. Full guidelines available here: TAS import guidelines.
What invertebrate species can I keep in TAS?
TAS residents may keep Tasmanian endemic native invertebrates unrestricted. Import of a handful of species from other states is possible
Species that may be imported to TAS
For the purpose of staying concise we have only included species which may be considered as pets. A full list can be found at: DPIPWE TAS
- Anchiale briareus (Strong stick insect)
- Austrosipyloidea carterus (Black-striped stick insect)
- Beregama aurea (Golden huntsman)
- Beregama cordata (Fireback huntsman)
- Bombyx mori (Silkworm/Silkmoth)
- Candovia annulata (Banded-legged stick insect)
- Cigarrophasma tessellatum (Cigar stick insect)
- Coenobita variabilis (Australian land hermit crab)
- Danaus plexippus (Monarch butterfly
- Dermestes maculatus (Hide beete)
- Extatasoma tiaratum (Spiney leaf stick insect)
- Hierodula majuscula (Giant rainforest mantis)
- Macropanesthia rhinoceros (Giant burrowing cockroach)
- Onchestus rentzi (Crowned Stick insect)
- Sipyloidea gracilipes (Graceful winged stick insect)
- Sipyloidea larryi (Hurricane Larry stick insect)
- Tropidoderus gracilifemur (Graceful stick insect)
- Xylotrupes gideon (Rhinoceros beetle
NT
NT import requirements:
- All states- Import permit required from NT.gov.au for all imports into NT
- QLD- No restrictions, movement advice must be supplied with Urodacus spp. and Theraphosids (tarantulas) leaving the state
- TAS- Requires export permit from DPIPWE TAS. Export fee is $15.80 or$3.16 per animal, whichever is greater.
- WA- Requires export permit from DPAW WA. Export fee is $30 per consignment maximum of 5 species per permit.
Species that may be kept in NT
NT residents may keep any NT endemic native invertebrate species. Most unprotected native invertebrate species may be imported on permit to NT, permit acceptance is up to the discretion of NT Government.
Contact us via our contact page to organise imports for NT.
QLD
QLD invertebrate import Requirements:
- VIC, NSW, ACT & SA- No restrictions apply shipping unprotected native invertebrate species from these states
- QLD- No restrictions, movement advice must be supplied with Urodacus spp. and Theraphosids (tarantulas) being exchanged within the state.
- NT- Requires export permit from NT.gov.au. No permit fee
- TAS- Requires export permit from DPIPWE TAS. Export fee is $15.80 or $3.16 per animal, whichever is greater.
- WA- Requires export permit from DPAW WA. Export fee is $30 per consignment maximum of 5 species per permit.
What invertebrate species can I keep in QLD?
- Residents of QLD can keep any native, unprotected invertebrate species. Urodacus species and Tarantulas are commercially protected.
- Exotic invertebrates are strictly prohibited, excluding a select few for agricultural, biological control uses etc.
Hi, I live in WA and am looking to do some bioactive setups, so I’m wondering if we’re allowed to keep and import isopods?
I’ve been able to source springtails here but can’t seem to find isopods. TIA