Why are rabbits illegal in Qld?
John Castro
Published Jan 18, 2026
Why are pet rabbits illegal in Queensland? 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.
Is it legal to keep rabbits in Qld?
You cannot keep a rabbit as a pet in Queensland. However, you can obtain a European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for the purposes of exhibiting to the public. Under the Exhibited Animals Act 2015 (EAA) rabbits are category B species and may be exhibited for purposes such as educational exhibits or for entertainment.When did rabbits become illegal in Qld?
Keeping pet rabbits in Queensland(November 1996) Keeping pet rabbits in Queensland remains illegal under the new Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.Whats the fine for having a rabbit in Qld?
Queensland has the toughest anti-rabbit regime in the world. Anyone found illegally keeping rabbits can be issued with an on-the-spot fine of $2,200. The maximum penalty for keeping rabbits in Queensland is $44,000.Are rabbits illegal in Australia?
A 150-year war between humans and rabbitsid you know that in Australia, keeping, selling, introducing, or releasing rabbits is illegal and punishable by maximum penalties of $44,000 AUD or six months in prison?
Why pet rabbits are banned in Queensland
Why is it illegal to own a rabbit in Australia?
Why are pet rabbits illegal in Queensland? 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.What pets are illegal in Queensland?
Some animals are illegal to keep in Queensland.
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Prohibited mammals, reptiles and amphibians
- American corn snakes.
- anoles - all types.
- boa constrictors.
- Burmese pythons.
- ball pythons.
- chameleons.
- dingoes.
- feral pigs.
Can you own hares in Qld?
Hares are not illegal in QueenslandIt is not well known that hares are a different species to rabbits. It is not well known that in Queensland the rabbit is illegal to keep as a pet. Many people refer to Wild Rabbits as Hares.
Are ferrets legal in QLD?
Up to 150,000 ferrets are kept as pets in Australia. However, ferrets are prohibited as pets in Queensland and the Northern Territory. You must not keep, feed, move, give away, sell or release into the environment.Can you own a monkey in Qld?
Prohibited mammalsAll introduced mammal species are prohibited as pets unless listed as exceptions. A sample of these prohibited mammals include: foxes • squirrels • ferrets/polecats/stoats • rabbits • hamsters • monkeys/marmosets • gerbils • weasels • dingoes.