This information is as a general guide only and SOFAR advise you to go onto the NPWS linked site for more accurate info or phone the NPWS. Some of the information below is a small portion from the NPWS web site.

People may keep reptiles as pets under a licensing and record keeping system that allows the state Parks and Wildlife Services to monitor what species are being kept, bred and traded amongst enthusiasts. A person who wishes to keep reptiles may do so only if a Reptile Keepers Licence is held by that person. People who hold a licence may obtain reptiles from other people who legally hold them, but they are not allowed to be sold through pet shops in some states of Australia and must not be taken from the wild.

There are three classes of reptile keeper licence's. Any person over the age of 10 years can get a Class 1 licence. Persons under the age of 16 years must have parental / guardian consent. A Class 1 licence authorizes the person to keep most of the common species that are easy to look after. A person with just a basic knowledge of the needs of reptiles should have no difficulty meeting their needs.

Some of the animals which can be kept under a Class 1 licence are the Eastern Snake-necked Turtle, Eastern Water Dragon, Eastern Bearded Dragon, Common Blue tongue, Children's Python and Carpet Python.

The species listed for Class 2 are all dangerous venomous snakes that have to be kept in very secure facilities. This licence is only available to people who are over the age of 18 years who have had at least two years experience in caring for Class 1 snakes and meet other criteria. The snakes in this licence class are grouped into three subcategories and only the more experienced keepers can keep the most dangerous species. A person with a Class 2 licence can also keep Class 1 species.

All lizards, snakes and turtles are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and it is against the law to take them from the wild. You can get a licence from the NPWS to keep captive-bred reptiles as pets.

Once you have a licence, you can buy reptiles - but only from other licence holders. It's a good idea to join a herpetological society, such as SOFAR to benefit from others' experience.

People may keep frogs as pets under a licensing and record keeping system that allows the State Government agencies to monitor what species are being kept, bred and traded amongst enthusiasts.

A person who wishes to keep frogs may do so only if they have an Amphibian Keepers Licence. People who hold a licence may obtain frogs and tadpoles from other people who legally hold them, but they are not allowed to be sold through pet shops in some states of Australia and must not be taken from the wild. There are three classes of amphibian keeper licence's.

Any person over 10-years-old can get a Class 1 licence. The 45 species, that can be kept under a Class 1 licence, are easy to look after. Some of the frogs which can be kept under a Class 1 licence are the Green, Red-eyed, Dainty, White - lipped and Peron’s Tree Frogs, Striped Marsh Frog and Common Froglet.

Class 2 and Class 3 licence's are for species that are rare and / or more difficult to keep than those species that can be kept under a Class 1 licence. These licence's are available to people who are over the age of 18 years who have had at least two years experience in caring for Class 1 frogs. 9 species are listed for Class 2 and over 20 species are listed for Class 3. A person who has a Class 2 licence can also keep Class 1 animals for no extra fee and a Class 3 licence allows the licensee to keep any of the species that can be kept under the licensing system.

All frogs (and tadpoles) are protected in NSW under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, and it is against the law to take them from the wild to keep as pets. You can get a licence from the NPWS to keep frogs.

For educational purposes, schools in NSW have been licensed to enable children and their teachers to collect and keep a maximum of 20 tadpoles to watch them grow and transform into froglets. Tadpoles must never be collected from national parks or other reserves. Once tadpoles have transformed into froglets, they must be released back in the location where they were collected.

Once you have a licence, you can acquire frogs - but only from other licence holders. It's a good idea to join a herpetological society, to benefit from others' experience. SOFAR is one of many societies for more information on SOFAR click here and we will take you to our about us page for more information.

For more information on licensing we suggest you contact NPWS or click here and we will take you to the NPWS web site. You will notice on the licence it mentions to allow 10 working days, however SOFAR recommends you allow at least 4 - 6 weeks to receive your amphibian and reptile licence back, especially over Dec - Jan period.