All imports of live laboratory animals require an import permit. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, import permit applications may need to be referred to external agencies or other government departments for additional expert advice.
It is the importer's responsibility to comply with the requirements for importing live specimens into Australia under:
- Part 2 of the List of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- the Live Import List managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
For further information, please contact DCCEEW’s Wildlife Trade Office.
Detailed import requirements for laboratory animals and their reproductive material are listed in the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system. Applications for import permits are also submitted through BICON.
For further information about importing invertebrate species, refer to the invertebrate animals page.
Approved arrangement site
Applicants must hold or have access to an Approved Arrangement (AA) site for the species they intend to import. The AA site must meet the criteria for the required class of Approved Arrangement.
See the Approved Arrangements page for more information.
You can also contact the Approved Arrangements Section Audit Services for more details.
Contact us
For further information, please call 1800 900 090 or email imports@aff.gov.au
If you hold an import permit for a laboratory research animals and require further information, including enquiries about the clearance of laboratory animals and their reproductive material, please refer to the contact details in your import permit for the department offices in your local region.