Possums

They must not be harmed in any way or kept without authority from the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

It is illegal to handle or interfere with possums except when they are in your roof or other buildings. Even then, possums can only be trapped in appropriate traps. 

Trapped possums must be released the day they are captured, on the same property, in their own territory, within 50 metres of the capture site. 

If this is not practical, they can be taken to a registered veterinarian to be killed humanely, at your expense. 

Breaching any of these regulations carries a penalty of up to $5000. There is no other legal avenue for dealing with possums. Relocation of possums is both illegal and inhumane. 

An alternative to trapping possums in a roof is the placement of Naphthalene throughout the roof. 

Possums do not like the smell of this substance and will vacate the premises unharmed. 

If a possum is getting into the roof, try to discover the entry points prior to the removal of the possum so that appropriate repairs can be made.

For further information on possums refer to the Department of Sustainability and Environment website.