Interstate animal exhibitors

If you live outside Queensland and have an interstate authority to exhibit an animal and would like to exhibit and deal with the animal in Queensland, you need to complete and submit 1 of the following:

as well as a management plan for each species of animal you propose to exhibit and deal with.

With this permit you can exhibit the approved animals throughout Queensland on a temporary basis.

The interstate exhibitors permit is approved for a period of 1 year. Examples of people who may apply for an interstate exhibitors permit include circuses and mobile exhibitors that enter into Queensland and exhibit exotic and native species for the purposes of entertaining or educating members of the public.

How to apply for an interstate exhibitors permit and a particular species

You may apply for an interstate exhibitors permit by submitting a completed interstate exhibitors permit application and a management plan for each species of animal you propose to exhibit and deal with.

The management plan must detail information about how you propose to exhibit and deal with each animal of a particular species. Key concepts that will need to be covered in a management plan include identifying the animal management issues relevant to animal welfare, human health, safety and wellbeing, social amenity, the economy and the environment. Under the Exhibited Animals Act 2015 these key concepts refer to the relevant risks and relevant adverse effects of exhibiting an animal and your 'general exhibition and dealing obligation'.

If you are applying for a species to be recorded on an interstate exhibitors permit, you must produce proof of a current authority for each animal from the relevant government authority as part of Queensland’s application process.

You must also provide proof that the relevant governing authority approves the movement of each species off the licensed premise for the purposes of exhibit. The interstate exhibitors permit cannot extend beyond the term of the authority within the residing state. You must notify the Queensland Government within 7 days if the authority held outside of Queensland is amended in a way that does not permit the authority holder to exhibit or deal with an animal in your residing state, or if the authority is suspended, cancelled or surrendered. You must also notify the Queensland Government prior to entry into Queensland and comply with all other relevant requirements set out in the Exhibited Animals Regulation 2016.

What animals may be exhibited under an interstate exhibitors permit

Animals that may be obtained under an interstate exhibitors permit fall into categories A, B or C.

A management plan for the proposed species to be recorded on the Queensland licence must identify regular enclosures and controlled areas that will be used for exhibiting and dealing with each animal. All risks associated with exhibiting and dealing with the species, including animal welfare requirements during transit and exhibit, enclosure design and security are some of the details that will need to be addressed within each management plan. All species brought into Queensland under an interstate exhibitors permit must be for the purposes of exhibition in accordance with legislative requirements and all conditions recorded on the permit.

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  • Last reviewed: 1 Jul 2016
  • Last updated: 16 Jun 2021