Pest control by state and city
The rules change at the border, so start with your state.
Pick your state for who licenses pest control there and how to check a licence, then your city for the pests and seasons that matter locally.
Why your state matters
Each state and territory runs pest control its own way. In NSW and Victoria the licence belongs to the individual technician. WA adds a business registration on top, while SA and Tasmania also license the business. Termite treatments need their own licence category or endorsement in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Wildlife and biosecurity rules differ too. Possums are protected everywhere we've checked, but the catch and release distance changes from state to state. Fire ants are reported in Queensland and NSW, and European wasps are reported in WA. Our state pages set out each one, with the date we last checked it and a link to the regulator.
Rental rules are different again: see end of lease rules and possums and the law for the side by side view.
Then pick your city
City pages cover what's different locally: the seasons, the common jobs and any council programs that apply. Larger cities also have pages for each pest and for suburbs.
If your town isn't listed, you can still tell us your postcode with what you've seen. An enquiry can come from anywhere in Australia.
Pick your state
Related help
More on pest control by state and city
Pest control in New South WalesWho the NSW EPA licenses, the timber pest licence, possums, fire ants and renting rules.Read it
Pest control in VictoriaVictoria's technician licence, the timber pest authorisation, possum trapping and renting rules.Read it
Pest control in QueenslandQueensland's pest licence, the QBCC termite classes, fire ant reporting, possums and rentals.Read it
How to choose a pest controllerEach state's licence rules, the questions to ask, and what a written quote should say.Read it
End of lease pest control rulesWhat each state allows a lease or pet agreement to require, and who's responsible for pests.Read itWhere this information comes from
- NSW Environment Protection Authority Pest management technicians, fumigators and training permits, checked 3 November 2026
- Victorian Department of Health Pest control licence applications, checked 3 November 2026
- Australian Business Licence and Information Service (business.gov.au) Pest management licence, QLD, checked 3 November 2026
- WA Department of Health Pest industry licensing and registration, checked 3 November 2026
- Australian Business Licence and Information Service (business.gov.au) Pest Controller's Licence, SA, checked 3 November 2026
- NRE Tasmania (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania) Ground spraying and pest management licences, checked 3 November 2026
- Business Queensland (Queensland Government) Fire ant, checked 3 November 2026
- NSW Government (ministerial release) Fire ants confirmed and treated at a Tweed Heads site, checked 3 November 2026
- WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development European wasps: declared pests in Western Australia, checked 3 November 2026
- Which Pest How Which Pest works, checked 3 November 2026
Rules and advice change, so check the source before you act on anything here. How we write and check these pages.