Are Possums Protected in Australia? A Possum Guide
Yes. Brushtail and ringtail possums are native animals that are protected by state rules, and in Victoria they must not be harmed in any way. Rules for trapping and releasing differ between states. If possums are in your roof, Marks Pest Control can find where they get in, remove them in line with the rules and close the entry. Call 0482074889 or send a photo for a clear price.
Are possums protected in Australia?
Possums are native animals, and each state and territory has its own rules to protect them. In Victoria, brushtail and ringtail possums are protected under state legislation and must not be harmed, harassed or interfered with. A resident or land manager may trap a brushtail possum that is living in a building, as long as the trap does not injure it. The possum must be released on the same property, within 50 metres of where it was caught, and moving it further away or off the property is prohibited. Trapping a ringtail possum needs a permit. Other states set their own conditions, so what applies in Victoria does not apply everywhere. Poisoning, shooting and harming possums is not allowed, and a possum that is injured or orphaned needs a vet or a native animal rescue group.
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What are the rules in other states?
| State | What the government advice says |
| Victoria | Possums are protected. Brushtail possums living in buildings may be trapped by the owner or occupier and released on the same property within 50 metres. Moving them elsewhere is prohibited. Trapping ringtail possums needs a permit. |
| New South Wales | Possums are protected. The state advises a one-way door on the entry point and a nesting box in a nearby tree, rather than trapping. Where release is allowed, it is at dusk, within 150 metres of the capture point. |
| Queensland | Trapping possums needs a permit. The state advises finding the entry points and sealing them while the possum is out feeding, with a nesting box offered nearby. |
How do I keep possums out of my roof?
Keeping possums out comes down to removing the paths they use and closing the gaps they enter, in the right order. Prune branches that lead to the roof so there is a gap of at least 1.5 metres. Block entry points such as loose tiles, broken eaves and holes in timber or brickwork, but only after you have confirmed the possum is out. Fit a hinged one-way flap that lets a possum leave but not return, with metal around it so it cannot chew through. Fit a metal or perspex collar about 60 centimetres wide around a tree trunk, and a floppy 30 centimetre fence above a boundary fence to stop climbing along it. Victorian guidance says repellents and ultrasonic devices do little to deter possums. A nest box in a garden tree gives them somewhere else to den.
Why must I check the roof is empty before I seal it?
Sealing a roof with a possum still inside is the most common reason a possum dies in a building. A possum that is shut in cannot get out, and it will scratch and chew to escape, damage the lining and wiring, and, if it dies, leave a smell that can last for weeks. Brushtail possums in Victoria usually have a single young, so sealing the roof while the mother is out for the night can leave her young inside. Watch the roof at dusk and note where the possum leaves. Once it has gone out to feed, use a one-way flap so it can leave and not return, or close the entry after you have confirmed that nothing is left inside. If you are not sure the roof is empty, call us to check before it is sealed.
Do possums come out in the daytime?
Possums are nocturnal, so they feed and move around at night and rest during the day in secure, dark, dry places such as tree hollows, rock cavities and roof voids. A possum seen briefly in daylight is not always unwell, because one may be disturbed from its den or may be moving after a storm or a noisy event. A possum that is on the ground in the middle of the day and looks weak, wobbly, injured or wet through needs a vet or a native animal rescue group. Do not pick it up or feed it. If one is in your roof, you will usually hear scratching or thumping after dusk and again before dawn, and you may see droppings or staining on the ceiling. A possum that stays quiet all day and only moves after dark is behaving normally, and a long period of silence followed by a strong smell can mean one has died inside.
What can possums damage?
- Roof insulation, which they flatten and soil
- Electrical wiring and ducting, which they can chew
- Ceilings, which can stain from urine
- Garden plants and fruit trees, which they eat
- Gutters, tiles and eave lining, which they lift and push aside
How does Marks Pest Control remove possums?
- 1. We confirm it is a possum and not a rat, by sound, droppings and entry points.
- 2. A technician finds the entry points and where the possum rests.
- 3. The possum is removed in line with Victorian rules. If trapping is used, it is released on your property within 50 metres, after sunset.
- 4. The roof is cleaned of soiled insulation where needed.
- 5. The entry points are closed once the roof is confirmed empty.
- 6. A nest box can be suggested for a nearby tree.
Possum frequently asked questions
Ques: Are possums protected in Victoria?
Ans: Yes. Brushtail and ringtail possums are protected native animals and must not be harmed in any way.
Ques: Can I trap a possum myself?
Ans: In Victoria, a brushtail possum living in a building may be trapped by the owner or occupier if the trap does not injure it, and it must be released on the same property within 50 metres. Trapping a ringtail possum needs a permit. Call us if you are unsure which one you have.
Ques: Can I move a possum to a park?
Ans: No. In Victoria, moving a possum off the property or more than 50 metres away is prohibited.
Ques: Will possum repellents work?
Ans: Victorian guidance says repellents and ultrasonic devices do little to deter possums. Blocking entry points and pruning branches work better.
Ques: Is a possum in the roof during the day a problem?
Ans: Not necessarily, since they rest in roofs during the day. Noise at night is the usual sign.
Ques: How much does possum removal cost?
Ans: It depends on how many possums there are, how high the roof is and how much sealing is needed. We give a clear price after an inspection or a look at your photos.
Book possum removal with Marks Pest Control
Possums in your roof or building? Call Marks Pest Control on 0482074889 or send a photo for a clear price.
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