How long will my research permit application take to process?

When applying for a research permit, it is important to know that each park has its own procedures for assessing permit applications.

This page will help explain the different turn around times that you may experience when applying for a research permit in one of the Australian national parks or gardens.

Australian National Botanic Gardens

You will need to submit your application at least eight weeks before your research is proposed to start.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit well before your permit expires.

Christmas Island National Park

You will need to submit your application at least eight weeks before your research is proposed to start.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit well before your permit expires.

Please allow at least three months for applications to be assessed if your research involves listed EPBC species or protected species. More information on listed EPBC species can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl. The groups listed as protected species under Schedule 12 can be found at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013C00713/Html/Text#_Toc365628074.

Pulu Keeling National Park

You will need to submit your application at least eight weeks before your research is proposed to start.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit well before your permit expires.

Please allow at least three months for applications to be assessed if your research involves listed EPBC species or protected species. More information on listed EPBC species can be found at: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl. The groups listed as protected species under Schedule 12 can be found at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013C00713/Html/Text#_Toc365628074.

Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden

You will need to submit your application at least eight weeks before your research is proposed to start.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit well before your permit expires.

Booderee National Park

You will need to submit your application at least eight weeks before your research is proposed to start.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit well before your permit expires.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

If you are applying for a permit in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park additional time is required to consult with the traditional owners/the park's Board of Management when assessing your application. Contact the reserve for further information on the consultation process and priority research areas.

You will need to submit your application well in advance of the date your proposed research is to start, and you should allow for at least three months for your permit to be issued.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to reapply for another permit.

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park receives a significant number of permit applications and needs to consult traditional owners on all proposed research. Due to this, you will need to submit your application by the dates set out below, and will need to allow at least three months for your permit to be issued. Applications received outside of these dates will be considered in the following round.

If you have an existing research permit and need more than the permitted time to complete the research, you will need to apply for another permit at least four weeks before your permit expires.

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