Can you legally keep ants as pets in Australia? For common native ants, I couldn’t find any national ban on keeping them, but the rules that matter sit with the states and territories, and some are strict. You can’t import live ants from overseas, Western Australia and Tasmania control what comes in, and invasive ants like fire ants must never be kept or moved. This guide pulls together the official pages I used, with links so you can check for yourself.
Please read this first: I’m a hobbyist, not a lawyer, and this isn’t legal advice. It reflects the official pages as I read them in early November 2026. Rules change, so where I say something is unclear, check with the relevant department before you buy, collect or post any ants.
The short version
- Overseas: importing live ants as pets isn’t allowed.
- Between states: there’s no single national rule. Western Australia and Tasmania have their own entry rules, covered below.
- Invasive ants: never keep, move or breed them, and report them.
- Collecting: stay out of parks and reserves, and check your local rules for native species.
- Posting: carriers have their own restrictions on live creatures.
Who regulates what
| Regulator | What it covers | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Commonwealth) | Imports of live insects and invertebrates from overseas | Invertebrate animals |
| Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Live Import List under the EPBC Act | Wildlife import and export guide |
| DPIRD Western Australia (Quarantine WA) | Insects and spiders entering WA, the WA Organism List | Importing animals to WA |
| DBCA Western Australia | Import and keeping licences for native fauna | Bringing animals into WA |
| Biosecurity Tasmania (NRE Tas) | Animals, including live invertebrates, entering Tasmania | Biosecurity Tasmania |
| ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna | Native plants and animals in the ACT | ACT licensing |
| NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | NSW biosecurity, including fire ants | NSW fire ants |
| Biosecurity Queensland | Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, restricted ants | Yellow crazy ant rules |
| Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory | State and territory biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria, PIRSA, NT exotic ants |
| National Fire Ant Eradication Program | Reporting and movement rules for fire ants | How to report fire ants |
| Australia Post | What can go in the post | Prohibited and Restricted Items guide |
Importing ants from overseas
This one is clear. The Department of Agriculture says all imports of live invertebrates need an import permit, are assessed case by case, and are currently permitted for research or laboratory purposes, with biological control agents allowed under strict conditions (official page). Its page on unique or exotic pets says importing insects as pets is not permitted, and warns that an insect farm (it names ants as an example) must not contain insects, eggs, food or plant material, or it will be confiscated. Live feeder insects can’t be imported either. In short, never order live ants or queens from an overseas seller, however the listing is worded.
Western Australia
WA runs its own system under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
- DPIRD says anyone importing insects or spiders must check their status on the Western Australian Organism List and the Import Requirements Search first, and that all spiders and insects must be declared to Quarantine WA on arrival. Inspection fees apply (importing animals).
- The organism list explains that unlisted organisms are automatically prohibited entry into WA.
- The same DPIRD page says all eastern Australian native animals are prohibited unless they have been assessed and declared permitted, and that native species may also need DBCA permits.
- A 2019 DPIRD fact sheet on meat ants lists overseas carpenter ants (Camponotus species) among exotic ant threats whose introduction is prohibited.
I couldn’t find the WA status of any particular eastern pet ant, including banded sugar ants. So don’t assume. Contact Quarantine WA (08 9334 1800, [email protected]) with the species name, and get the answer in writing before anyone posts ants to WA.
Tasmania
Tasmania takes a “permitted list” approach under its Biosecurity Act 2019. Any animal that isn’t on the permitted or prohibited lists is restricted by default and can only be imported under a permit (Tasmanian Animal Biosecurity Manual). Section 3.1.14 of the current edition (version 3, 12 March 2026) lists live invertebrates that may be imported without restriction if transported in a soil-free medium. That list includes three ants: the banded sugar ant (Camponotus consobrinus), the pale-legged sugar ant (Camponotus claripes) and an arboreal ant (Colobopsis macrocephala). Ants not on the list fall under the default restriction. The manual is updated regularly, so check the current version or ask Biosecurity Tasmania on 1300 368 550 (contact details).
The ACT, NSW and everywhere else
I didn’t find ant-specific entry rules for the ACT, NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia or the Northern Territory, but that isn’t a guarantee there are none. General biosecurity duties still apply, so check each department’s page above.
In the ACT, section 11 of the Nature Conservation Act 2014 says an invertebrate only counts as an “animal” under the Act if it is a protected native species or has special protection status. As I read it, that means common ants aren’t covered by the offences for taking or keeping animals, but check the Protected Native Species List or ask the Conservator.
National parks and reserves are different. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service lists collecting animals in parks as an illegal activity, and other states have similar rules. Collect from your own backyard, not a reserve.
Invasive ants: never keep, never move, always report
- Red imported fire ants: present in south-east Queensland, with outlying detections in NSW (locations). The national program says it’s illegal to move materials that contain fire ants, and carriers include soil, mulch, potted plants, turf, hay, manure and quarry materials (materials that carry fire ants). If you’re setting up a formicarium, don’t use soil, mulch or plants taken from a fire ant zone.
- Yellow crazy ants: in Queensland they’re a restricted invasive ant. Unless you hold a permit, you must not give them away, sell them, dispose of them or release them (Business Queensland).
- WA: DPIRD lists electric ants and yellow crazy ants as prohibited entry (high-risk ants).
If you think you’ve found fire ants, don’t touch the nest. Call the National Fire Ant Eradication Program on 13 22 68 (132 ANT) or report online. For NSW sightings, contact the NSW Government. For other exotic ants, the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 is the national number for new weeds and exotic ants (outbreak.gov.au).
Posting live ants
Australia Post’s March 2026 guide says live animals are prohibited except bees, leeches, silkworms, other harmless insects and harmless invertebrates, packed and labelled as it prescribes. It also tells senders to check biosecurity and conservation laws in all relevant states and territories, and notes the network isn’t temperature controlled (guide). Other couriers set their own rules. If you’re buying ants, ask the seller how they pack and ship, and whether your state has entry rules.
My checklist
- Only keep native ants from your own region, and never release them.
- Don’t import ants, eggs or feeder insects from overseas.
- If you’re in WA or Tasmania, get the entry rules confirmed in writing first.
- Check the official pages above for your state. See also how to find a queen responsibly and the beginner care guide.
- Report anything that looks like a fire ant.
When you’re ready to start, the shop ships within Australia only, so please check your own state’s rules before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to keep ants as pets in Australia?
I found no national ban on keeping common native ants, but state and territory rules apply, and you can’t import live ants from overseas.
Can I post ants to Western Australia or Tasmania?
Not without checking. WA treats unlisted organisms as prohibited entry. Tasmania lists banded sugar ants as permitted if sent without soil, but other ants may need permits.
Can I collect a queen ant from my backyard?
In the ACT, common ants appear not to be covered, but check the protected species list. Don’t collect in national parks or reserves.
Can I keep fire ants or other invasive ants?
No. They’re invasive pests, and you should report them rather than keep them.
What if I’m not sure about a rule?
Ask the relevant department and keep the reply. If it’s unclear, treat it as not allowed until confirmed.
