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Are exotic pets illegal in Australia?
Yes. Exotic pets are banned in Australia. Exotic reptiles and frogs banned in every state; most mammals too.
EPBC Act Live Import List: only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected birds may be imported as pets - 'no other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets' (agriculture.gov.au, current). Keeping is barred too: Queensland lists all introduced reptiles and amphibians as prohibited pets (DAF), NSW generally disallows exotic reptiles and amphibians (DPI), SA bans corn snakes (Landscape SA Act 2019); exotic mammals beyond ferrets/rabbits are not kept legally in any state.
Source: EPBC Live Import List; QLD
Banned (11)Restricted (48)Allowed
- Australia is one of 11 countries where exotic pets are banned, and 48 more restrict them.
- In Oceania: banned in 1 of 6 countries.
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Other countries that ban exotic pets
Singapore
Costa Rica
Bolivia
Cyprus
Lithuania
Luxembourg
South Korea
Norway
Belgium
NetherlandsAll 11 on the map ›What else is banned in Australia
Pit bullsAnti-personnel landminesRaw milkNicotine pouchesAzodicarbonamide (the yoga mat chemical)AsbestosJaywalkingSocial media for kidsWhale meatCluster munitionsEverything for Australia ›
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