Owning a crocodile is permitted again in the NT. Photo: Northern Territory Government.
The Northern Territory’s Finocchiaro CLP Government is making pet crocodile ownership easier, inviting people to have their say on new safety and welfare guidelines.
While the Victorian Government moves to ban crocodile ownership, the NT is set to expand it, with 63 people already licensed to keep 123 reptiles.
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Marie-Clare Boothby said proposed regulations in the Dangerous Animal Guideline — Crocodiles as Pets focused on the welfare of animals, public safety and biosecurity.
“If you’ve ever wanted to own a pet saltwater or freshwater crocodile, there’s only one place to do it — right here in the Northern Territory,” Ms Boothby said.
“We promised Territorians a say on pet crocs, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.
“We’re backing responsible pet ownership by cutting red tape and making it easier than ever for Territorians to safely keep a pet croc.”
Proposed regulations include:
- Requiring all pet crocodiles to receive a unique identification marking.
- Introduction of a $299 permit fee to cover enclosure inspections and ID-marking procedure, payable on application. Permits are to be issued for five years.
- Existing permit-holders are exempt from the fee, with an optional free ID marking.
- Owners to pay a $100 recovery fee (minimum three hours) if departmental staff must capture or transport an escaped pet crocodile.
- An update to minimum enclosure standards, including a lockable door and an isolation section to reduce human-crocodile interaction during vet checks or cleaning.
- Mandatory safety requirements such as signage, a first aid kit and an emergency plan.
“Crocodiles are the ultimate Territory icons,” Ms Boothby said. ”People travel from across Australia and the world to see them, whether it’s on a jumping-croc cruise, swimming in the ‘Cage of Death’ or Crocodylus Park.
“After Labor scrapped pet crocodile permits in 2024, our CLP Government made a commitment to restore that right — that’s why one of the first things I did as Minister for Parks and Wildlife was to bring back the right to own a crocodile, because we said we’d restore our unique Territory lifestyle.”
The move is already receiving support from passionate reptile owners.
“If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a family pet with scales and a jaw full of teeth yourself, the Northern Territory is the place to be,” local saltwater crocodile owner Andrew Fahey said.
The draft guidelines are open for feedback until 12 December on the NT Government Have Your Say website. More information on keeping wildlife in the NT can be found here.
