Have you been thinking about getting a pet monkey? Wondering if it’s possible to have your very own pet monkey in Australia? This can be tricky, as there are many laws and regulations that govern this.
In addition, the cost of having a license can make or break any potential purchase. In this article we will discuss can you have a pet monkey legally in Australia? what the law says about owning one, and how much it costs to get all of the necessary paperwork done!
Let’s start with the most important one;
Can you have a pet monkey in Australia? You can not have a pet monkey in Australia legally, you can only have a monkey in Australia if you are a licensed person and you are intending to keep the animal for exhibition or conservation purposes only. It’s prohibited to sell or keep exotic animals such as monkeys as pets in Australia.
So, for those who are looking to get a monkey in Australia to keep as pets; tough luck, you can’t legally get one. However, you can still enjoy the companionship of monkeys in Australia in other ways, let’s explore how.
Contents
How to get a monkey in Australia?
State and Territory laws govern the keeping of exotic animals, which describe the type and number of animals that can be kept as well as how they may be kept.
Monkeys are one of exotic animals that can only be handled by experts. They can’t be sold or kept as pets.
So, if you can’t get a monkey in Australia, can you buy it elsewhere and import it home?
Can you import monkeys into Australia?
You can’t import monkeys to Australia with the intention of keeping them as pets or selling them to someone else as pets.
All importers of live exotic animals are bound by these regulations. You may learn more about importing wildlife from the DEWHA website here.
Although it’s illegal, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist in the country.
Unfortunately, there is an ongoing and extremely lucrative unlawful illegal trade in rare species that has major animal welfare and natural conservation ramifications.
Because these animals can be sold as exotic pets for handsome amounts of money, many people risk smuggling these creatures into Australia in a variety of, let’s say, creative ways.
Live birds and eggs, turtles, and snakes are all examples of live creatures that can be brought into Australia in a number of ways that are not completely law-abiding.
Australia can have strict penalties for smuggling and trade in illegal wildlife, including up to ten years imprisonment and fines equivalent to over $170,000 AUD! Although it’s possible to get a pet monkey in Australia illegally (like any other country) you can also plan your own animal tours to see these creatures in their natural habitats.
Why are pet monkeys illegal in Australia?
Monkeys are illegal in Australia to avoid them becoming another invasive species and upset the natural balance in Australia. Monkeys are not native to the continent, and Many non-native animals have become serious pests after being brought to Australia. The cane toad, fox, cat, (European) rabbit, and a variety of other uncommon species are just a few examples.
Introduced animals cost a great deal of money and may have contributed to the extinction of several native species. Exotic diseases (such as rabies) and other human-infectious illnesses (such as herpes B) can be spread by introduced creatures.
If you live in the UK, you can learn if you can own a pet monkey legally in the UK here. I have another guide on the laws about pet monkeys in the US broken down by state here.
What happens if you get caught with a pet monkey in Australia?
If the Australian authorities catch you keeping an exotic animal as a pet or selling them illegally from your house, they have the right to confiscate this creature from your possession. You may also be slapped with a hefty fine.
How can I see monkeys in Australia?
You can also check out your local zoo or circus to visit some exotic animals from around the world! You can’t have a pet monkey in Australia, but you can still enjoy their company by going on wildlife tours and seeing them in their natural habitats while staying within the law. If a pet monkey is something you can’t live without, check out some other great pets like a sugar glider.
Sugar Gliders are the best pet monkeys in Australia!
There’s no need to break the law and smuggle exotic animals into Australia when you can see them for yourself on your own terms. Have fun with wildlife tours that can show you amazing creatures like this.
What pets are illegal in Australia?
In Queensland, it’s illegal to keep dangerous animals as pets (including monkeys). You will be penalized if you own a prohibited pet in Queensland. These prohibited pets include:
- boa constrictors
- chameleons
- foxes
- weasel
- ball pythons
- American corn snakes
- Anoles – all types
- dingoes
- feral pigs
- ferrets
- squirrels
- fire-bellied newts
- fire-bellied toads
- foxes
- gerbils
- gecko species not native to Australia
- hamsters
- iguanas
- monkeys
- all types of poison arrow (dart) frogs
- rabbits
- red-eared slider turtles
- stoats
- wild dogs
What to do if you see a Monkey for Sale in Australia?
If you come across a monkey for sale in Australia and believe it has been illicitly imported, you can compare it to the DEWHA exotic animal guide, which details those exotic animals that may or cannot be legally imported, and then notify the relevant agency.
Related Questions
Can you find monkeys in Australia?
Monkeys are not native to Australia, but you can see monkeys in Australia by going on a wildlife tour. They can also be found in zoos and circuses. Monkeys are not legal pets to own in Queensland, so don’t try smuggling one into that state or any other part of the country!
Why there is no monkey in Australia?
Monkeys are not native to Australia’s wildlife. Monkeys can be a serious pest if they are brought into Australia, as their populations can grow quickly.
They can carry foreign diseases and infections that can affect native animals, humans, or both. Monkeys have been known to raid crops for food as well as attack livestock such as sheep and cattle.
These two factors combined make monkeys an invasive species that can do serious damage to Australia’s delicate ecosystem.
