Biosecurity & Quarantine
Updated: 4 days ago
The natural resources of the Tiwi Islands are the Tiwi people’s most valuable asset and form the basis of traditional activities and underpin economic aspirations. The introduction of feral animals, weeds, and diseases place the biodiversity of the islands at great risk, compromises fledging enterprises, and destroys hopes for an independent Tiwi economy. Cane toads, for example, are currently not on the islands but their introduction would have an immediate and devastating impact on biodiversity, and under rules established by the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator, the Tiwi Fire & Carbon project cannot claim Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) in Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) infested country.
Tiwi Land Council Prohibited Species List
The following animal and plants are prohibited from entering the Tiwi Islands - compliance is a condition of entry to the islands by Tiwi Land Council permit holders.
Mammal prohibited species
Domestic cat (Felis catus)
Domestic goat (Capra hircus)
Domestic sheep (Ovis aries)
Deer (all species)
Rabbit (all breeds)
Donkey (Equus asinus)
Cattle (all species)
Horse (Equus caballus)
Pig (Sus scrofa)
Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
House mouse (Mus musculus) - unless frozen
Ferret (Mustela putorius)
Black rat (Rattus rattus)
Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) - unless frozen
Mammals restricted species
Dogs - all dogs entering the island must be surgically desexed and vaccinated.
Bird prohibited species
Senegal dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
Feral rock dove (Columba livia)
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Tree sparrow (Passer montanus)
Spice finch (Lonchura punctulata)
Spotted turtle dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Indian myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Bird restricted species
Limited to only one sex of any species. Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) – female only
Plants prohibited species
All Weeds of National Significance species (WoNS)
All declared weeds in the NT (Class A, B and C)
All plants with the potential to spread and threaten the environmental integrity of northern
Australia.
Hay
Turf / lawn including seed
Mulch
Plant restrictions
The entry of all plants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis against the TLC Biosecurity Procedure for hygiene, packing standards and chemical treatment. All plants must be pre-approved by the TLC in writing, will only travel by barge and have been sourced from a TLC approved supplier e.g. Territory Native Plants in Darwin.
Reptiles prohibited species
Red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Any non-Australian native species of reptile
Any turtle transported from outside of the NT.
Reptiles restricted species
Only one sex of any species, must have an NT Parks and Wildlife permit and written permission from TLC.
Turtle species native to the NT
Snake species native to the NT
Lizard species native to the NT
Invertebrates
Feed insects and worm farms are permitted
All other species will be assessed as required
Freshwater fish prohibited species
Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)
Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii)
Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)
All species listed as illegal to import into the NT.
Amphibians prohibited species
Cane toad (Rhinella marina)
Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum)
All frog species not native to the Tiwi Islands.
Further information:
Tiwi Land Council Quarantine & Biosecurity Officer
T: 1800 675 888