Wildlife demonstrator licence conditions

Keeping and trading wildlife

Wildlife that can be kept under a demonstrator licence

Objective

This regulation sets out the entitlements of a wildlife demonstrator licences, and specifies which taxa of wildlife can be kept and traded under this licence type. Taxa is the plural of taxon, meaning any formal name in the classification of living organisms (e.g. phylum, class, order, family, genus, species).

How to comply

The schedules are found in the Wildlife Regulations 2024. They are listed according to species needs and the availability of captive-bred individuals.

If no taxa of wildlife are listed on your wildlife demonstrator licence, that means you can buy, sell, acquire, receive, dispose of, keep, possess, breed and display any taxa listed in Schedule 2, 3 or 4 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024.

If taxa of wildlife are specified on your licence, you can only buy, sell, acquire, receive, dispose of, keep, possess, breed and display those taxa. In these circumstances, if a taxa is listed in Schedule 2, 3 or 4 but is not listed in your licence, you cannot keep that taxa.

You can also buy, sell, acquire, receive, dispose of, keep, possess, breed and display any taxa, including those not listed on a schedule, with prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. Applications must be emailed to us and will be assessed against set requirements on a case-by-case basis. Applications must include details of the lawful source of the wildlife and information about the benefits that demonstrating the species will provide to the community and conservation.

Keeping wildlife

Objective

To ensure wildlife are kept in a consistent and appropriately equipped location when they are not doing demonstrations.

How to comply

You must have a permanent home for wildlife held under your wildlife demonstrator licence, and that address will be listed in the licence. This address is where you keep your wildlife when not demonstrating.

Anyone who possesses living wildlife must provide for the good health and welfare of the wildlife. You must provide adequate shelter, prevent escape or injury, protect the wildlife from predators, restrict access by anyone not authorised under the licence, and comply with relevant Codes of Practice. More information about standards of care and the relevant Codes of Practice is included in the Wildlife welfare and care section of this guide.

Keeping wildlife at a location other than the specified premises is a breach of licence conditions and penalties may apply. If you need to keep wildlife at an alternate location, you must seek prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. You can do this by emailing us with details of your request, including:

• Why you need to house your wildlife at another location
• The species and number of wildlife
• Details of appropriate enclosures and facilities at the alternate location.

You may transport wildlife held under a Demonstrator Licence to and from demonstrations. You must meet the transportation requirements. Further information is available in the Transportation section of this guide.

See also Wildlife welfare and care(opens in a new window)

See also Transportation(opens in a new window)

Wildlife transactions, sale and disposal

Objective

To ensure the welfare and sustainability of wildlife being possessed or traded. All wildlife transactions are required to be traced to reduce the illegal possession and trade of wildlife.

How to comply

Prior to entering any transaction to buy, acquire, sell, gift or dispose of wildlife, check that the person has an appropriate licence which is current and valid. You can ask to see a person’s licence prior to agreeing to the transaction.

In some cases, a person may have a valid exemption from holding an appropriate licence. These exemptions are issued by the Conservation Regulator for a specific wildlife transaction. If so, you can ask to see a copy of this exemption.

It is your responsibility to ensure the person you are transacting with has an appropriate and valid licence or exemption for the wildlife being transacted. To confirm an exemption or to seek information about obtaining written approval from the Conservation Regulator, call or email us.

All transactions must be recorded in your record book by the close of the same business day. Further information about record keeping is available in the Record keeping requirements section of this guide.

Information on the different types of wildlife licences and which wildlife can be held under each type can be found on our website.

See also Record-keeping requirements(opens in a new window)

Visit Wildlife licences and permits(opens in a new window)

Minimum period of ownership

Objective

To ensure the acquisition of wildlife is a considered decision, to reduce the risk of wildlife being treated as a commodity, and to ensure that the wildlife can settle into its new surroundings. It also reduces the spread of disease and regulates the trade of wildlife in Victoria.

How to comply

Do not sell or dispose of wildlife that has been in your possession for less than six months.

If you are seeking to sell or dispose of wildlife before the six-month threshold, you must seek prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. You can do this by emailing the Conservation Regulator with details of your request, including:

• The species, age and condition of the wildlife
• Where the wildlife was acquired from including licence number, and
• Why you need to sell or dispose of the wildlife within six months.

Your request will be considered and you will be notified of the outcome in writing. Approval will not be issued retrospectively. Sale or disposal of wildlife you have held for less than six months without prior approval is a breach of licence conditions and penalties may apply.

Disposal of deceased wildlife

Objective

To prevent secondary poisoning and spread of disease to other animals and people, and regulate the trade of deceased wildlife.

How to comply

If selling or disposing of your dead wildlife to a wildlife taxidermist, ensure their licence is current and document the transaction in your record book by the close of the same business day.

Carcasses of wildlife euthanised by barbiturates should be disposed of via burial or incineration, to prevent secondary poisoning of scavengers (for example, dogs, ravens, hawks).

The Conservation Regulator recommends:

• Burial at least 60cm deep to prevent scavenging by other animals.
• Handling all animals with care and wearing personal protective equipment to avoid potential zoonotic disease exposure.

Demonstrations and events

Demonstration frequency

Objective

Wildlife demonstrators help people understand ecology and wildlife conservation in Victoria. This condition makes sure that is happening and that people are not utilising demonstrator licences for the wrong purposes.

How to comply

You must conduct a minimum of five demonstrations within every six month period of your licence. You must also maintain a written record of these demonstrations. The kinds of activities that constitute a demonstration include but are not limited to:

• Presentations at schools and education facilities
• Static displays at community events
• Roving demonstrations in a controlled environment (for example, at a school or community event)
• Presentations or displays at authorised wildlife events
• Providing wildlife for commercial filming (with prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator).

At all times, human safety and wildlife welfare must be protected. Consider the suitability of each venue in terms of lighting, noise, vibration, and the age and capability of audience.

Demonstration record

You are required to maintain a written record of all demonstrations conducted. The records must include the name of the person conducting the demonstration (that is, the licence holder or an employee of the licence holder), date, time and venue (including contact information) of each demonstration. All records must be accurate, legible and permanent. This is a mandatory requirement.

There is not currently a mandatory format for these records. A suggested format is provided in Appendix 1 Template for recording details of demonstrations.

It is recommended that you use a book that is solely for the purpose of recording activities related to your wildlife demonstrator licence, and that the book be kept for the duration of the licence. You must also record any commercial film events in your record book. You must produce your records for inspection when requested by an Authorised Officer.

Download template for recording details of demonstrations

You are required under Regulation 35 to maintain a record of all demonstrations conducted under the wildlife demonstrator licence, including the date, time and venue.

There is currently no mandatory format, but you can use the following template, which will meet the mandatory requirements.

Wildlife events

Objective

Wildlife interest groups hold public events across Victoria for the display and trade of wildlife. These events allow wildlife licence holders to attend with their wildlife, share knowledge and promote the lawful keeping of wildlife.

The Conservation Regulator approves wildlife events under the Wildlife Regulations 2024, so holders of wildlife licences can display, buy, sell, acquire, receive, keep, or possess wildlife in accordance with their licence and the event conditions imposed.

To ensure animal welfare, under Wildlife Regulation 113 (3)(c), wildlife events must be approved by the Conservation Regulator and conditions can be specified that apply to the displaying, buying, selling, acquiring, receiving, keeping or possessing of wildlife at the wildlife event.

How to comply

Attend only Conservation Regulator-approved wildlife events. You can check the Victorian Government Gazette and the Conservation Regulator websites to find approved wildlife events. The notice for an approved event includes the:

• Name of the event
• Organiser
• Date
• Venue
• Category of wildlife licence holders that the event applies to.

The notice also includes any conditions that event participants must comply with, in addition to existing legal requirements. You may need to register with the event organiser to attend and will need to abide by any of the conditions specified in the event approval for an individual event.

Additional information on wildlife events

• Wildlife events(opens in a new window)
• Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window)
• Victoria Government Gazette(opens in a new window)

Commercial film

Objective

To uphold the welfare of wildlife used in commercial film. Filming wildlife can harm them, such as causing stress or injury from fright due to a new environment, lights and noises. If done incorrectly, it can also encourage inappropriate or dangerous behaviour which may be copied by members of the public.

How to comply

Demonstrators require prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator before allowing wildlife (whether whole or part, living or dead) to be used in commercial film. Commercial film does not include photography. This means you do not need approval for photography at demonstrations.

If you’d like to provide wildlife for use in commercial film, you must apply in advance. In general, applications are processed within four weeks. If further information is required or the application is complex, applications may take up to eight weeks.

When applying, you will need to specify:

To request permission

1. Complete the Application to use wildlife in commercial films(opens in a new window) form available on our website
2. Email us your completed form.

You will be notified of the outcome of your request in writing. If filming in a public place, you may also need to obtain permission from the landowner or manager.

The Conservation Regulator will not issue an approval retrospectively. You must ensure you receive an approval in advance.

Visit Wildlife in commercial films(opens in a new window)

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)

Demonstrating with wildlife

Health and welfare of demonstrated wildlife

Objective

To make sure that the practices, enclosures, and equipment used to display wildlife are keeping them healthy and safe.

How to comply

This condition applies to wildlife that is being displayed or demonstrated with. When wildlife are not being displayed or demonstrated with, they must be kept in permanent housing at the specified address, in accordance with Keeping Wildlife and Housing Wildlife.

See also Keeping wildlife

See also Housing wildlife(opens in a new window)

The Code of Practice for the Public Display and Exhibition of Animals is incorporated into the Wildlife Regulations 2024 and is enforceable by the Conservation Regulator. When displaying wildlife, you must provide appropriate care to prevent injury, stress and disease.

Visit Code of Practice for the Public Display of Exhibition of Animals(opens in a new window)

You must ensure any wildlife on display have:

• Access to clear, cool water in containers suitable for the species
• Adequate space to move about, sit, perch or lie down
• Appropriate protection from the elements (wind, rain and sun)
• Appropriate food suitable for the species is stored to prevent contamination by rodents, insects and chemicals
• Safety and security from predators
• Protection from loud noises, vibrations and extremes in temperatures.

When you’re displaying wildlife:

• Display animals for the minimum time possible, to prevent them from becoming stressed or agitated
• Do not demonstrate incompatible species together at the same time (that is, predator /prey animals)
• Do not display or work an animal when it is unfit (sick, injured or highly stressed)
• Clean and disinfect enclosures and equipment after each demonstration to prevent the spread of disease
• Do not display nocturnal wildlife in a bright or noisy environment, and always provide free access to sleeping quarters

If wildlife in your possession becomes sick, injured or highly stressed, you must maintain records of this. This includes records of diagnosis, treatment and response of the animal. If wildlife becomes sick, injured or highly stressed, you should immediately remove them from public display and take precautions to prevent further stress or injury. You should maintain records of the diagnosis, treatment and response of the animals.

Safe demonstration and escape prevention

Objective

To reduce the risk of harm or injury to any person and the wildlife being displayed.

How to comply

You must effectively plan and manage the display of wildlife to reduce risk. This includes reducing the likelihood of injury to any person or wildlife and minimising the risk of wildlife escaping during display.

You can do this by:

• Conducting your demonstrations in a secure area, where you and/or registered employees can maintain a line of sight with each animal
• Ensuring wildlife is held in enclosures designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent escape and unauthorised access when not being displayed
• Seeking consent from members of the public to handle animals, and ensuring they are confident and understand how to safely handle the wildlife to prevent injury. Young children should be provided with additional supervision to avoid mishandling or dropping.
• Avoiding displaying wildlife in settings where there are extremes in sound, light or climate. These settings can disorient and agitate wildlife.
• Not placing wildlife near objects or surfaces that would cause injury (for example, sharp or hot) or at heights from which they could fall or jump.

Wildlife being demonstrated must be under the direct supervision of the licence holder or an employee at all times. Direct supervision means that the wildlife being supervised is kept to manageable numbers and within sight and hearing of the licence holder or employee. The responsible person must be close enough to intervene quickly should either the wildlife or members of the public show signs of stress or discomfort. Manageable numbers of wildlife are considered to be up to five head of wildlife per licence holder or employee.

You must ensure that all wildlife are held in a secure enclosure that provides for good health and welfare if they cannot be directly supervised for any period of time.

If your wildlife has escaped or been stolen, you must notify the Conservation Regulator within two business days of becoming aware, using the form available on our website. Theft of wildlife must also be reported to the police, and you must retain a copy of the police report. Further information is available in the Theft or loss of Wildlife section of this guide.

See also Theft or loss of wildlife(opens in a new window)

Visit Commercial licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Dangerous or venomous wildlife

Objective

To protect people attending wildlife demonstrations from dangerous and venomous wildlife. Dangerous wildlife can inflict serious injury to people and pose a significant safety risk.

How to comply

Under no circumstance can dangerous or venomous wildlife be handled (touched, picked up, carried, or felt) by spectators or anyone not authorised under the licence. You must lock dangerous or venomous wildlife in a secure enclosure when not on display. Unauthorised people must not have access.

Within the Wildlife Act dangerous or venomous wildlife ‘includes, but is not limited to, elapid snakes whether or not the individual specimen is capable of a venomous bite.’

It is always important to consider the age, size and temperament of each individual animal you display.

Species such as crocodiles and monitors are capable of inflicting injury through bites and scratches. Additionally, dingoes must always be under control and not left unsupervised with persons under the age of 16.

Some taxa of wildlife pose a high risk for the spread of zoonotic diseases. For example, Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) may be present in bats. Demonstration of bats such as Grey-headed Flying Foxes must be conducted with extreme caution due to the risk posed by any secretions and excretions.

We suggest you prepare for a possible emergency event whenever you display dangerous or venomous wildlife. For example, notify the nearest hospital of the species of venomous snakes you intend to demonstrate, and having someone on hand with appropriate medical or first-aid training.

Please also refer to Condition 2 Pit dimensions for venomous snakes and Condition 3 Venomous snake demonstrationto help you meet this condition.

Condition 2 requires use of a pit if demonstrating with venomous snakes less than three metres from an audience. A pit is a type of enclosure, so a pit can also be used to meet the requirements of Regulation 75(5) provided that it:

• Is designed, constructed and maintained to allow the safe demonstration of wildlife and prevent escape of any wildlife
• Has walls at least 1.1 metres in height and constructed from solid and sturdy materials with no gaps or holes that may allow a person to protrude any part of their body through the walls.

See also Condition 2 Pit dimensions for venomous snakes

See also Condition 3 Venomous snake demonstration

Additional wildlife demonstrator conditions

Additional wildlife demonstrator conditions applied by the Conservation Regulator

Condition 1 Licences are non‑transferable

Objective

To ensure only licensed people are acting as demonstrators.

How to comply

You cannot transfer your licence to any other person. If another person would like to become a demonstrator, you must advise them to apply for their own licence.

If a person intends to take over an existing demonstrator business, they are still required to complete a new application. In their application, they should specify:

• The wildlife licence number of the current business
• The name of previous owner (or business name)
• When they intend to take over the business.

Condition 2 Pit dimensions for venomous snakes

Objective

To minimise the risk of escape of venomous snakes and to prevent unauthorised persons interacting with venomous snakes.

How to comply

Please also refer to Dangerous or venomous wildlife and Condition 3 Venomous snake demonstration to help you meet this condition.

Always demonstrate venomous snakes one at a time, and at least three metres from the audience.

If you wish to demonstrate a venomous snake closer than three metres from the audience, you must do so in a pit that has solid walls and no way for a snake to escape, nor for a person to access the snake inside.

Prior to obtaining venomous snakes under a Demonstrator licence, you must have a suitable pit to demonstrate venomous snakes from. If your snake pit is damaged, you must repair the pit before demonstrating any venomous snakes.

Condition 3 Venomous snake demonstration

Objective

To minimise escape or injury while demonstrating venomous snakes.

How to comply

Ensure you only demonstrate one venomous snake at any given time. After demonstrating, return each venomous snake to a secure enclosure that prevents unauthorised access.

Demonstrating only one venomous snake at a time ensures you can maintain direct supervision and minimises the risk of escape or injury.

Please also refer to Condition 2 Pit dimensions for venomous snakes and Dangerous or venomous wildlife to help you meet this condition.

See also Dangerous or venomous wildlife

See also Condition 2 Pit dimensions for venomous snakes

Condition 4 Dingo acquisition and sale

Objective

To ensure dingoes are self-sufficient (that is, no longer dependent on their mother for feeds) and can be readily identified.

How to comply

All dingoes seven weeks of age or older must be marked for identification purposes with a microchip. This is so that all dingoes in a licence holder’s possession can be identified. Ensure any dingos you are intending to acquire or sell are at least seven weeks of age and that they are microchipped or marked by an authorised implanter.

Dingoes are not listed in Schedules 2, 3 or 4 of the Wildlife Regulations, so require prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. Applications must be emailed and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applications must include details of the lawful source of the wildlife and information about the benefits that demonstrating the species will provide to the community and conservation.

Condition 5 Dingoes outside of specified premises or enclosure

Objective

To prevent injury to people and injury, abuse, harassment or escape of your dingo.

How to comply

Your dingo must be under control at all times or contained to a purpose-built secure enclosure. It must also have a collar which includes an identification disk.

When outside of the specified premises or secure enclosure, you must:

• Always control your dingo by means of a chain, cord, leash, or harness
• Demonstrate only dingoes that are conditioned to handling and are calm and comfortable when interacting with new people
• Ensure the dingo is wearing a collar with an identification disk specifying your:
  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Licence number.

Condition 6 No unsupervised access to dingoes by persons under 16

Objective

To ensure the safety of children when provided access to dingoes.

How to comply

Keep your dingo held in a purpose-built, secure enclosure and prevent access to persons under the age of 16.

When your dingo is outside of its enclosure, you must ensure you have them under constant supervision and control through means of a chain, cord, leash or harness. You must provide constant supervision if interaction with persons under the age of 16 is likely or expected.

Conditions 7 – 11 Koala display requirements

Objective

To maintain the health and wellbeing of all koalas being displayed. These conditions work together to ensure the display of koalas is appropriate and sufficiently monitored.

How to comply

Do not allow koalas to be handled by members of the public, and ensure you maintain direct supervision of the koala being displayed at all times.

This condition refers to the licence holder, but an employee who is acting on behalf of the licence holder may also display koalas. Employees must be aware of and competent in the activities they are undertaking on behalf of the licence holder. More information about employees is available in the next section.

See also Employees(opens in a new window)

Where koalas are on display but no contact is allowed:

• Ensure there is a secure barrier to prevent unauthorised public entry and interaction with the koalas
• Provide a resting pole suitable to the size and needs of the individual koala and ensure eucalyptus browse is available to allow the koala to exhibit natural behaviours
• Place the resting pole for the koala at least three metres from the barrier to prevent unauthorised interaction with the koala and minimise stress on the koala
• Display signage highlighting that spectators should not enter the area where the koala is being displayed.

You may display one koala on a resting pole or on the body of the licence holder for photography or petting, provided that:

• Only one koala is displayed, and the licence holder or a staff member supervises each public interaction
• The public cannot hold or handle the Koala. Public interaction is limited to a photograph next to the koala and petting if the koala is not stressed.
• The koala is fully weaned, independent, habituated to human presence, and does not exhibit stress or evasion responses when in human company
• You do not display mother koalas with dependent offspring (emergent pouch or back young)
• You do not display any individual koala for more than 30 minutes per day
• The koala is displayed no more than three days in a row, with a maximum display time of 30 minutes per day. After three consecutive days of display, the koala must not be displayed for at least 24 consecutive hours before it can be displayed again. For example, if you display a Koala on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for 30 minutes each day, you must then allow the animal to not be displayed for at least the entirety of the Thursday.
• You must maintain a logbook recording all periods of time in which each koala is displayed on you or your staff member’s body or a resting pole for petting or for photography. This includes recording the date you displayed the koala, the time you commenced and finished the display, and subsequently the duration of the display. If requested, you must provide these records for Authorised Officers to examine.