Licensing & Regulations

At Beautiful Remains Taxidermy, ethical practice, legal compliance, and the respectful treatment of animal remains are at the heart of everything we do.


We operate under a current NSW Biodiversity Conservation Licence (MWL000104020) issued by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

This licence legally authorises us to collect, preserve, and trade in native animal specimens under strict regulatory conditions, ensuring all work aligns with conservation laws and animal welfare ethics.


What This Licence Permits


As a licensed taxidermist:

  • I am authorised to possess, preserve, and work with animals that I did not harm in any way. This includes animals found deceased due to natural causes, pets euthanised for medical reasons by a registered veterinarian, or specimens provided by approved sources such as wildlife carers or zoological institutions.

  • All specimens must be lawfully acquired—I am not permitted to collect animals from the wild or accept specimens from individuals who caused the animal’s death.

  • Specimens from threatened species, marine mammals, birds of prey, and sea turtles are highly restricted and may only be possessed with written approval from NPWS, or if specifically authorised under licence conditions.

Gifting, Trading, and Selling

  • Specimens may only be gifted, bought, or sold to and from individuals or

    organisations who hold valid legal authority (such as another licensed taxidermist or someone registered under the Protected Animal Specimens Code of Practice 2023).

  • A maximum of five transactions per year is permitted unless additional authorisation is granted.

  • All advertisements for taxidermy sales must include a specific legal notice to inform buyers of their own obligations under NSW law. I ensure all listings are compliant with this requirement.

    Preservation & Display Requirements

  • Preserved specimens must retain appropriate labels with licence numbers and

    must remain whole (they cannot be sold or gifted in parts).

  • Specimens may be temporarily relocated from my licensed premises for

    educational or scientific purposes, but not for general display or storage

    without prior NPWS approval.

  • I maintain a secure premises for all specimens and ensure that any preservation

    involving articulation, mounting, or cleaning is conducted with utmost care,

    hygiene, and respect for disease risk management protocols.

    Record Keeping & Compliance

    To ensure full transparency and regulatory compliance:

  • I maintain detailed records for each specimen, including its origin, species,

    date acquired, and details of any transaction.

  • Records are securely retained for at least seven years, in line with NPWS

    requirements.

  • I also keep a register of any authorised persons working under my licence and

    report all relevant activity to the NPWS Wildlife Licensing Team when renewing or

    amending the licence.

    Important Note for Clients
    If you are seeking to have a protected animal preserved, you must hold the appropriate legal authority—either a Biodiversity Conservation Licence or registration under the Protected Animal Specimens Code of Practice 2023. I can guide you through this process if needed, but I cannot legally accept or work with specimens from unlicensed individuals.

    For more information about native animal licensing in NSW, visit:
    NPWS Wildlife Licences – Trading in Native Animals


    If you have any questions about legality, sourcing, or preservation processes, please reach out.

    I’m always happy to clarify and ensure your project aligns with both ethics and law.