Are you a resident of Australia searching for a new pet? Perhaps you’ve emigrated over and wondering whether you can take your rabbit with you, or get one later down the line. Either way, you’ll want to know what this country’s laws and regulations are for this particular small mammal. Well, here is what you are going to need to know.

So are rabbits illegal in Australia? Rabbits are illegal to own in Queensland. However, they are allowed to be kept as pets in the following states: New South Wales (NSW), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Western Australia (WA), and South Australia (SA). That being said, strict rules are guidelines must be met in order to keep one.

So, whether you can own a pet rabbit in Australia depends entirely on where you are in Australia and local laws.

And that’s the key here.

You are going to need to check in with your local state laws and regulations – they can differ, as we shall soon discover.

But first, what has Queensland got against rabbits anyway? And why are they banned there in particular?

Let’s find out!

Why Are Rabbits Illegal In Queensland?

Rabbits are illegal to own as pets in Queensland due to their potential destruction and risk/threat to local agriculture, native ecosystems and the environment should they were to be released, or escape, into the wild.

In fact, the Queensland Government make it quite clear in their pamphlet on these particular mammals:

“Rabbits are Australia’s most destructive agricultural and environmental introduced animal pest, costing up to $1 billion annually. They cause severe land degradation and soil erosion and threaten the survival of many rare and endangered native species”
Queensland Governemnt

We all know that rabbits breed incredibly quickly, and in large numbers.

A lot more so than in other animals.

So, there is the legitimate fear that they would quickly establish new wild populations.

In fact, there is a large population of feral rabbits in areas around Sydney and Tweed Heads that is the result of this very thing. Released or escaped rabbits.

The Queensland government does not want a repeat of that.

So, they have introduced a law to prevent it.

“The Biosecurity Act of 2014” – making rabbits a restricted species, and making any owner liable under the law should they proceed to get and keep one.

I have seen reports of a man facing a $60,000 fine for keeping a cluster of rabbits in his home.

Yikes.

Nevertheless, it is through such strict laws that Queensland has ensured it is the only state to keep an area largely free of rabbits.

Can You Get A Permit For A Rabbit In Queensland?

You cannot get a permit to keep a Rabbit in Queensland – it is not something the state will entertain or give out.

This is true regardless of whether they are desexed and registered.

In fact, the only permits that are available to keep rabbits in the state of Queensland are for those seeking them for public entertainment purposes (such as a circus), or for scientific and research purposes.

What To Do If You Have A Pet Rabbit In Queensland

Should you happen to have purchased, or managed to get a rabbit into the state of Queensland, you will need to proactively take measures to give up your pet.

Otherwise, you will be liable to prosecution.

Here is what the Queensland government recommend that you do:

Surrender it to your local government office,
Surrender it to Biosecurity Queensland
Dispose of it in a legal and humane way
Contact the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board to arrange for it to be collected.

That’s right.

The government would rather you humanely kill your rabbit than keep it.

Not nice.

So surrendering is the approach to take.

Either way, you should not release your rabbit into the wild under ANY circumstances.

Rabbits As Pets In Other States

While rabbits are considered a pest in all Australian states, interestingly, some states allow you to keep them as pets – so long as you abide by strict rules and regulations.

The following states will allow you to keep a rabbit(s) as a pet:

New South Wales (NSW),
Tasmania (TAS),
Victoria (VIC),
Australian Capital Territory (ACT),
Western Australia (WA),
South Australia (SA)

Nonetheless, it’s essential that you check in with each council or state to see if they have any specific guidelines for ownership.

For instance, if we take Victoria as an example – the guidelines are as follows:

Housing requirements: Housing should be well constructed, secure, regularly cleaned and well ventilated. Indoor lighting should be provided suring the day and the environment should be kept as stress free as possible.
Space requirements: The floor area provided should be of a sufficient nad minimum amount. For instance, rabbits over 12 weeks requiere 0.18 m2 of space.
Equipment: Floors should be smooth with sufficient support. A special space for nesting must be provided with appropriate bedding material with regular cleaning.
Food: The diet should be sufficient to maintain optimal health and wellness, taking into account a rabbits particular needs and requirements for growth/ pregnancy or any other medical circumstance.
Health: Rabbits kept over 12 weeks of age on the property must receive vaccination against Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD). Equally any use of antibiotics and other drugs must be under veterinary supervision.

You can read more about Victoria’s regulations here.

Otherwise, a simple google search of the following (or similar variations) can help you find the information that you need:

New South Wales Australia Rabbit Laws
Tasmania Australia Rabbit Laws
Victoria Australia Rabbit Laws
Australian Capital Territory Australia Rabbit Laws
Western Australia Rabbit Laws
South Australia Rabbit Laws

Look for government publications and websites that end in the following “.gov.au”.

Either way, when you find them you should notice similar rules and regulations in place that you will need to comply with.

Some may be stricter than others.

Finally

Rabbits are legal in Australia; for the most part.

Not in Queensland though, that’s the main exception.

That being said, if you do decide to own a rabbit in one of the other states you will need to be particularly mindful and behave as a responsible keeper.

And do check in with your local state.

You want to know exactly what you need to do, and when.

Besides, fines can be hefty and they can be avoided with a little research and preparation ahead of time.

Besides, these regulations will also help ensure you take the best care of your pet. And ensure you meet their needs, accordingly.

Are you still on the fence about what pet to get? Wondering what other animals may or may not be legal in Australia, and where? Then my following guides may be for you:

Jeremy Williams

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.

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