Wildlife licence annual returns

Find out how to submit an annual summary of your wildlife transactions. The summary is a condition of your wildlife licence.

Why you need to complete an annual return

The information included in annual returns gives us a statewide overview of wildlife possession and trade, which helps to manage wildlife.

Your return summarises the wildlife transactions you conducted under your licence between 1 April and 31 March. Under the Wildlife Regulations 2024, it is a legal requirement that all wildlife licence holders:

keep a copy of your return for future reference, this copy must be kept for the duration of your licence, including any renewals
submit a complete and legible return
complete your return by 14 April

Do not complete your return form before 31 March.

The deadline for submission of returns is 14 April each year.

If you do not submit a return, you may not be eligible to renew your licence.

Penalties apply if these obligations are not met.

Information contained in the returns is confidential.

How to lodge your return

You can now complete and submit your Annual Return online. It is a condition of your wildlife licence that you submit a summary of all wildlife that that has been in your possession and any other required activities for the period between 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

If you have a wildlife licence, you must submit your Return even if –

there have been no changes to your wildlife collection
you no longer have any wildlife in your possession
you have not undertaken any of the activities specified in your Record Book. You may use the linked form below to lodge your Return and create a copy for your own records.

You must retain a copy of your Return. You may be asked to produce this copy by Authorised Officers.

Submit here

If you are unable to complete the online form, you can request a blank form from our Customer Contact Centre at 136-186.

Return forms not completed online can be emailed to wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au or posted to DEECA at 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood VIC 3049.

Licence holders who do not currently hold wildlife

You must submit an annual return, even if you held a wildlife licence between 1 April and 31 March but:

did not conduct any transactions during this period or
do not currently have any wildlife

If you use the online form, you can indicate a ‘Nil Return’ by ticking the provided box.

To complete a paper form, write your name, address and licence number in the space provided, sign and date the form and write ‘NIL RETURN’ across the form.

Species codes

Species codes are used to ensure accuracy in record keeping and data entry.

If you use an incorrect code in your return, your licence or a related permit may be delayed while the matter is investigated. Find the correct codes in the species code lists below:

Species code and common name

Licences: Annual return Scheduled Species Codes x Common Name PDF PDF 235.51 KB (opens in a new window)

Licences: Annual return Scheduled Species Codes x Common Name word doc Word 71.33 KB (opens in a new window)

Species code and scientific name

Licences: Annual return scheduled species codes - scientific names PDF 230.68 KB (opens in a new window)

Licences: Annual return scheduled species codes - scientific names word doc Word 42.71 KB (opens in a new window)

licences: annual returns species by code PDF PDF 229.61 KB (opens in a new window)

licences: annual returns species by code word Word 42.44 KB (opens in a new window)

Completing your return form

You must keep a legible copy of each return form.

Please ensure:

You complete all of the sections of the return form clearly, using the species code numbers provided in the species code list.
You sign and date the form.
Your current licence number is correct. An incorrect licence number may mean that your return is not registered.
All transactions for a single species are summarised on one line and that each species is listed only once in each return.
Your numbers add up. For example, 11 alive + 2 bred + 3 purchased – 1 death (destroyed) – 3 exports – 1 escape = 11 alive.

Don’t record:

Male and female specimens of the same species separately.
Adult and juvenile specimens of the same species separately.
Breeding that occurred before the current return period.
Acquisitions or purchases that occurred before the current return period.
Exotic species or wildlife species that do not require a licence.

More information

Further information about wildlife licence record keeping is available on the following pages:

Commercial licence obligations and record keeping.
Private licence obligations and record keeping.

If you have any questions about returns, contact our Customer Contact Centre:

phone: 136 186

Updated 2 April 2026

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Wildlife licence annual returns

On this page

Why you need to complete an annual return

How to lodge your return

Licence holders who do not currently hold wildlife

Species codes

Species code and common name

Species code and scientific name

Completing your return form

Please ensure:

Don’t record:

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