Activities requiring a licence

Scientific procedures

Scientific procedures includes procedures or activities using animals to:

• acquire, demonstrate or develop knowledge in a field of science
• acquire, demonstrate, develop or exercise techniques in a field of science
• develop or test the use, hazards, safety, or efficiency of vaccines, substances, drugs, materials or appliances intended for use in connection with human beings or animals
• produce substances or materials for use in any of the above.

All fields of science are covered by the licensing requirements. This includes but is not limited to:

• medical
• dental
• veterinary
• agricultural
• behavioural
• ecological
• pest management
• biological sciences.

Animal types

The use of the following animal types and development stages in scientific procedures must be licensed:

• all fish and amphibians capable of self feeding
• mammals, birds and reptiles above the mid-point in gestation
• adult decapod crustaceans
• adult cephalopods.

Breeding for scientific procedures

Breeding of certain animals for supply to be used in scientific procedures must also be licensed.

These animals are termed 'specified animals' and are:

• guinea pigs
• rats
• mice
• rabbits
• non-human primates.

Breeding of these animals for supply to other institutions must be authorised by a Specified animal breeding licence.

Excluded activities

Animal uses that do not require licensing for scientific procedures are:

• the treatment of an animal for the purpose of promoting its health or welfare by or in accordance with the instructions of a veterinary practitioner
• the conduct of animal husbandry carried out in accordance with a Code of Practice
• any fishing activities authorised by and conducted in accordance with the Fisheries Act 1995
• the collection, taking, banding and marking of wildlife as defined by and in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1975.

Collection, taking, banding and marking does not include the following:

• use of microchips or PIT tags
• use of tracking, data storage and telemetry devices
• removal or collection of body tissue or fluids from live animals for any purpose
• collection of biometric data such as body weight and measurement
• electrofishing (unless specifically authorised by and conducted in accordance with the Fisheries Act 1995)
• humane killing for the purpose of data collection (unless specifically authorised by and conducted in accordance with the Fisheries Act 1995).

Activities requiring additional permission

This applies to the following:

1. death as an endpoint scientific procedures
2. non-human hominid use in scientific procedures
3. the use of wildlife, fish or declared pest animals.