Collect animal materials for scientific research

You must apply for a permit to collect animal materials for scientific research.

Collecting any kind of biological resource for scientific research or commercial use is called bioprospecting.

To find out more about bioprospecting, go to the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations website.

Before you apply

You must enter into a benefit-sharing agreement with the resource access provider.

A resource access provider could be:

  • the NT Government (for example national parks)
  • a freehold landholder
  • the Aboriginal Lands Trust.

How to negotiate

To enter into a benefit-sharing agreement, you must negotiate a benefit-sharing deed.

To help you draft a deed, you can use the templates below as a guide.

If you enter into an agreement with a government provider, follow these steps:

Step 1. Get the NT benefit sharing deed template DOCX (98.1 KB).

Step 2. Update the template as necessary. You can get legal help if needed.

Step 3. Check that the deed meets all requirements listed in section 29 of the Biological Resources Act 2006.

Step 4. Email the draft deed for review to industrydevelopment@nt.gov.au.

Step 5. Once the deed is finalised and agreed by all parties, you can apply for a permit.

If you enter into an agreement with a non-government provider, follow these steps:

Step 1. Get the non-NT benefit sharing deed template DOCX (100.6 KB).

Step 2. Negotiate an agreement directly with the access provider.

Step 3. Update the template as necessary. You can add or remove clauses to suit both parties.

Step 4. Check the deed meets all requirements listed in section 29 of the Act.

Step 5. Once the deed is finalised and agreed by all parties, you can apply for a permit.

How to apply

To apply for a permit, you must contact the relevant department below, depending on whether you want to access land or marine resources.

To access land resources, you must get approval from the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in an application for a permit to undertake scientific research on wildlife.

Application for a permit to undertake scientific research on wildlife DOCX (66.7 KB)
Application for a permit to undertake scientific research on wildlife PDF (177.1 KB).

Step 2. Attach one of the following with the application:

  • a signed benefit-sharing agreement (government) or
  • certification showing that:
    • a benefit-sharing agreement meets the requirements of the Act and
    • has been signed by both parties (non-government).

Step 3. Submit the application and supporting document to the Parks and Wildlife permits and concessions section.

To access marine resources, you must get approval from NT Fisheries.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the section 17 special permit form DOCX (58.5 KB).

Step 2. Attach one of the following with the form:

  • a signed benefit-sharing agreement (government) or
  • certification showing that:
    • a benefit-sharing agreement meets the requirements of the Act and
    • has been signed by both parties (non-government).

Step 3. Submit the form and supporting document to NT Fisheries.

If your application is successful

If your application is successful, you will be notified and issued with a valid permit.

This could take up to 4 weeks.

Contact

For more information, call Industry Development on 08 8999 2140 or email warren.hunt@nt.gov.au.

You can also go to the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations website.

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