Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act: Controls over Protected Flora
What is Protected Flora?
Protected flora are plants that have legal protection under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
The Protected Flora List includes plants from three sources:
- plant taxa which are not threatened but are declared to be protected under section 46 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
- plant taxa (species, subspecies or varieties) which are listed as threatened under section 10 the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
- plant taxa belonging to communities which are listed as threatened under section 10 the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
View or download the current protected flora list:
Protected Flora List - last updated November 2009 (PDF - 69 KB)Do I need a permit or licence?
The handling of protected flora is regulated by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to ensure that any harvesting or loss is ecologically sustainable.
You must obtain a Protected Flora Licence or Permit from a DSE office if you want to collect protected native plants or if you are planning to do works or other activities on public land which might kill, injure or disturb protected native plants. In most cases, you do not require a Licence or Permit for works or activities on private land, although you may require a planning permit from your local council.
It is best to check with DSE Regional staff and local council staff before proceeding. In most cases, licence or permit applications are successful. However, DSE may place conditions on the licence or permit, such as restricting the amount of protected flora that can be taken, the area from which it can be taken or the collection methods that can be used. In the case of works, DSE may place conditions on a licence or permit which serve to avoid or minimise the loss of protected flora or to make good any disturbance caused.
Where can I get an application form?
Application forms can be obtained from DSE offices or by calling the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.