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The following is an email sent out regarding proposed QLD licensing changes.



The following information has come from the Ministerial sub-committee, members of PIJACK and other observers. While it may not be 100% accurate, National Parks (QPWS) has in the main confirmed it
As the committee members have been told to put nothing on paper and at this stage QPWS will put nothing on paper I’ve had to draft this from notes taken on phone conversations with QPWS and committee members.

It has been proposed that 2 sub-species of the python family ( maculosa & childreni) plus some lizards and turtles be allowed in pet shops.
Not being a lizard or turtle person I didn’t make notes of these.

A couple of other changes are.
The six monthly returns to be abolished.

Movement advises to be issued with every transaction (not a problem)

A licence will cost about $200 and will be for a 5 year period.

Only 1 type of licence will be issued and from there it will be endorsed, at a cost, for the different grades of reptiles you can keep.

It would appear that QPWS have decided that Qld is to be the only state to try and define who is a commercial breeder and who is a hobbyist.
This is an area that they are stuck on at the moment.

Should you be deemed to be a commercial breeder you may ONLY keep the reptiles that are allowed in shops under a commercial licence.


You WILL NOT be able to keep ANY OTHER reptile.


The definitions of a commercial breeder are as follows.

A person using protected animals or species will be deemed to be a commercial breeder if the do ONE of the following.

1/ Have a business name

2/ Pay tax ( on sales of reptiles)

3/ Import reptiles from other states to re-sell

4/ it is your main business or home occupation (wording may be wrong on this one)


OR if you do TWO or more of the following


1/ Employ staff in the operation or management of the reptiles

2/ Maintain a permanent or semi permanent advertisement

3/ Have a freight account with a transport company or airline

4/ Keep a separate bank account

5/ Issues a invoice or gives a receipt

6/ Sells more than 10 reptiles in any one year or sell more than 5 reptiles to a pet shop
or wholesaler anywhere in Australia


Another phrase I’ve been hearing when talking with John Rice (QPWS) is the following. This, when you look at it is an all encompassing phrase.

“Was it done (breeding) with the expectation of reward or gain”

if so, then you are a commercial breeder.

My daughter (law student) pointed out to me that it could be argued that someone who kept a pair,(M&F) of reptiles together, had the expectation that they would breed and when the eggs hatched there would be a gain.

It could also work this way, young Jack (16y.o.) has a pair of blue tongues, (allowed in shops) he keeps them in the same cage and they breed. The eggs hatch and he sells 7 to a pet shop, they pay him by cheque.
Jack as I understand it would be deemed to be a commercial breeder as it could be argued that by keeping the lizards together there was the expectation they would breed.
He then sold 7 to a pet shop and was paid by cheque. The fact that he has banked a cheque made payable to himself into his bank account could be argued that he has acknowledged receipt of the money received.

The above story I ran past QPWS and the answer I got, “was it done with the expectation of reward or gain”

Something to keep firmly in your mind is that if you are deemed to be a commercial breeder you will ONLY be able to keep the species listed on a commercial licence.
EVERYTHING else you have to get rid of.


It is interesting to note and remember that our native reptiles are protected by the Crown.

My son uses emu oil for a skin condition, now the last time I looked they, unlike motor cars don’t have a sump plug to drain the oil. They, a protected species are slaughtered for their oil, meat, skins ect.

Saltwater crocs are also protected but I’m told that in some super markets you can buy croc meat.



I again remind you that this may not be 100% accurate, but it is bloody close.
Nothing has been put on paper so I’ve worked off my notes of phone conversations with QPWS and others.

The idea that reptiles be allowed in pet shops I feel is a good one. I think it can only help with the conservation of our wildlife by increasing public awareness and education.