Many Gold Coast residents own birds for a variety of reasons, including companionship and special interest. Learn about your requirements and responsibilities when owning birds or poultry and the numbers allowed on your property.
To ensure minimum standards are met to keep birds or poultry without causing nuisance to your neighbours and the environment, you are required to:
- ensure birds (excluding poultry) are adequately identified with a leg band or microchip
- keep seed or any bird food in a sealed, vermin-proof container and dispose of food scraps daily
- dispose of waste (including faeces, urine and other material) daily and store waste containers in a way to prevent odour or pest nuisance
- manage noise and avoid excessive vocalisation
- keep your birds or poultry contained in an aviary or enclosure in line with an approved code of practice
- provide suitable space for each animal to be comfortably kept.
In addition to these requirements, enclosures must be:
- in good condition and not appear unsightly
- thoroughly cleaned at least once a week and kept in a hygienic manner free from insects and vermin
- designed to ensure all waste water and run-off does not cause a nuisance to neighbours
- located more than one metre from any side or rear boundary of your property for the keeping of birds
- located more than one metre from the property boundary and located at the rear of, behind, and unattached to any residence and;
- located more than 10 metres from any residence, food storage or preparation area (other than a domestic kitchen) for the keeping of poultry.
To learn more about your birds and poultry and where to seek help, see our page on how to care for them and be a responsible pet owner.
All pet owners must comply with minimum standards for keeping animals.
Penalties apply for breaches. To find out more, visit Animal laws, breaches and fines.
Permit requirements
Restrictions apply to the number of birds or poultry that can be kept depending on the size of a property.
Budgerigars, canaries, similar-sized birds and pigeons
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| Less than 300m2 |
4 |
Yes for more than 4 |
| 300m2 - 1999m2 |
20 |
Yes for more than 20 |
| 2000m2 or more |
30 |
Yes for more than 30 |
Cockatiels and similar-sized birds
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| Less than 300m2 |
2 |
Yes for more than 2 |
| 300m2 - 1999m2 |
10 |
Yes for more than 10 |
| 2000m2 or more |
30 |
Yes for more than 30 |
Cockatoos, galahs and similar-sized birds
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| Less than 300m2 |
1 |
Yes for more than 1 |
| 300m2 - 1999m2 |
2 |
Yes for more than 2 |
| 2000m2 or more |
4 |
Yes for more than 4 |
Geese, turkeys and ducks
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| Less than 4000m2 |
0 |
Prohibited |
| 4000m2 or more |
1 per 300m2 |
No |
Domestic hens
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| 600m2 or less |
0 |
Prohibited |
| More than 600m2 |
1 per 150m2 |
No |
Roosters, peacocks, ostriches and emus
| Property size |
Number allowed |
Permit applicable |
| Less than 4000m2 |
0 |
Prohibited |
| 4000m2 or more |
1 per 4000m2 |
No |
If you wish to keep more than the allowed number of birds, you will need to apply for a permit.
Permits are lifetime permits while your animals are on your property. If circumstances change, such as moving house, please inform the City of Gold Coast.
Permit fees must be paid at the time of permit lodgement – these fees are non-refundable.
Once your application has been received, Council officers will assess your property to determine if additional animals are suitable and do not impact on your neighbours.
A permit holder must comply with the minimum standards or may be liable for an on-the-spot fine or be required to remove the animals from the property.
Apply by using one of the options below.
Amend excess animals permit
Use the Amend excess animals permit form to apply to let us know of the following changes:
- approval holder contact details (for example, address, email, nominate a new contact person)
- business name and/or contact details
- dog/cat/livestock details, including removing/adding animals to your permit.