Sandalwood licences | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Source: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/sandalwood-licences
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Sandalwood licences | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
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Sandalwood licences
The Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018 (BC Regulations) provide licensing requirements for taking, transporting, supplying (and storing for), processing, dealing and exporting sandalwood.
Sandalwood tree
In implementing the
Santalum spicatum
(Sandalwood) Biodiversity Management Programme (2023), licensing processes are in place to support the ecologically sustainable use of sandalwood. The downloads below seek to provide the information applicants require to submit a licence application for taking, transporting, supplying (and storing for), processing, dealing and/or exporting sandalwood.
For those wishing to apply for a licence to take wild sandalwood for the 2026-27 season, key documents (including an application kit) are provided for download below. Note some changes have been made to documents ahead of the 2026-27 season. Two main changes are providing an extended deadline for 2026-27 season flora taking (sandalwood) licence applications and the introduction of a dead wood only sustainability and establishment plan template.
New 2026-27 season deadline for sandalwood take applications
The
CEO Guideline to support the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations Sandalwood Licensing
(CEO Guideline) specifies that applications for sandalwood take are due by 4pm on 31 March. However, due to exceptional circumstances this year with delays in the Sandalwood Order review and the introduction of a dead wood only application form, the power is being exercised (as allowable within the CEO Guideline) to accept applications up until
4pm on 30 June 2026 for 2026-27 season applications
.
New application form for take of dead wood only
A simplified dead wood only sustainability and establishment plan template (Form 2A) has been added to the application kit for the 2026-27 season. An application for take of dead wood only does not require inventory to be submitted and requirements are less than for an application to take living (green) and dead sandalwood.
Documents and other information
Other changes reflect routine amendments, improvement to process, and aim to provide better guidance to applicants. To assist stakeholders who were familiar with previous requirements, a document providing a summary of changes to sandalwood licensing since the 2025-26 season is also available below. For anyone wishing to apply for a licence, it is strongly recommended that you contact DBCA’s Wildlife Licensing Section on 9219 9000 or
wildlifelicensing@dbca.wa.gov.au
in the first instance.
The Sandalwood Licences Biodiversity Regulations Fact Sheet provides an overview of each of the legal authorities in the sandalwood supply chain, where they are required, and the application fees that apply. The fact sheet also describes the provision for Aboriginal involvement in sandalwood.
The CEO Guideline provides the licensing processes for the take of wild sandalwood where authorised by a flora taking (sandalwood) licence. The guideline intends to be fair and equitable, and an appropriate application of the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations.
The Sandalwood Tracking Form accompanies sandalwood when it is transported from the place of harvest to the processor or dealer and between processors and dealers. These ensure that the legal origin of the sandalwood can be established during transaction, inspections or compliance procedures.
For more information on the conservation, protection and management of sandalwood, please visit the
Sandalwood page.
Downloads
Document
Sandalwood Licences Biodiversity Regulations Fact Sheet.pdf
-
311.47 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 18-03-2025
Document
Summary of changes to sandalwood licensing for 2026-27 season
-
113.59 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-02-2026
Document
CEO Guidelines Flora Taking Sandalwood Licences
-
248.51 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-02-2026
Document
Sandalwood Tracking Form
-
173.44 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-04-2023
Document
BC Regulation 67 2026-2027 Season Application Kit
-
1.03 MB
(DOCX)
Last updated 24-03-2026
Socials
Related
Sandalwood
Sandalwood
Santalum spicatum
(Sandalwood) is Western Australia’s native aromatic sandalwood species that grows wild among vegetation of the Wheatbelt and rangelands.
Flora Licences
Flora Licences
Native flora (including flowers, seeds, whole plants, timber and firewood) is protected in Western Australia.
Online Disturbance Approval System
Online Disturbance Approval System
Applications to carry out a selection of disturbance activities on Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions managed lands.
Skip to main content
Sandalwood licences
The Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018 (BC Regulations) provide licensing requirements for taking, transporting, supplying (and storing for), processing, dealing and exporting sandalwood.
Sandalwood tree
In implementing the
Santalum spicatum
(Sandalwood) Biodiversity Management Programme (2023), licensing processes are in place to support the ecologically sustainable use of sandalwood. The downloads below seek to provide the information applicants require to submit a licence application for taking, transporting, supplying (and storing for), processing, dealing and/or exporting sandalwood.
For those wishing to apply for a licence to take wild sandalwood for the 2026-27 season, key documents (including an application kit) are provided for download below. Note some changes have been made to documents ahead of the 2026-27 season. Two main changes are providing an extended deadline for 2026-27 season flora taking (sandalwood) licence applications and the introduction of a dead wood only sustainability and establishment plan template.
New 2026-27 season deadline for sandalwood take applications
The
CEO Guideline to support the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations Sandalwood Licensing
(CEO Guideline) specifies that applications for sandalwood take are due by 4pm on 31 March. However, due to exceptional circumstances this year with delays in the Sandalwood Order review and the introduction of a dead wood only application form, the power is being exercised (as allowable within the CEO Guideline) to accept applications up until
4pm on 30 June 2026 for 2026-27 season applications
.
New application form for take of dead wood only
A simplified dead wood only sustainability and establishment plan template (Form 2A) has been added to the application kit for the 2026-27 season. An application for take of dead wood only does not require inventory to be submitted and requirements are less than for an application to take living (green) and dead sandalwood.
Documents and other information
Other changes reflect routine amendments, improvement to process, and aim to provide better guidance to applicants. To assist stakeholders who were familiar with previous requirements, a document providing a summary of changes to sandalwood licensing since the 2025-26 season is also available below. For anyone wishing to apply for a licence, it is strongly recommended that you contact DBCA’s Wildlife Licensing Section on 9219 9000 or
wildlifelicensing@dbca.wa.gov.au
in the first instance.
The Sandalwood Licences Biodiversity Regulations Fact Sheet provides an overview of each of the legal authorities in the sandalwood supply chain, where they are required, and the application fees that apply. The fact sheet also describes the provision for Aboriginal involvement in sandalwood.
The CEO Guideline provides the licensing processes for the take of wild sandalwood where authorised by a flora taking (sandalwood) licence. The guideline intends to be fair and equitable, and an appropriate application of the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations.
The Sandalwood Tracking Form accompanies sandalwood when it is transported from the place of harvest to the processor or dealer and between processors and dealers. These ensure that the legal origin of the sandalwood can be established during transaction, inspections or compliance procedures.
For more information on the conservation, protection and management of sandalwood, please visit the
Sandalwood page.
Downloads
Document
Sandalwood Licences Biodiversity Regulations Fact Sheet.pdf
-
311.47 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 18-03-2025
Document
Summary of changes to sandalwood licensing for 2026-27 season
-
113.59 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-02-2026
Document
CEO Guidelines Flora Taking Sandalwood Licences
-
248.51 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-02-2026
Document
Sandalwood Tracking Form
-
173.44 KB
(PDF)
Last updated 12-04-2023
Document
BC Regulation 67 2026-2027 Season Application Kit
-
1.03 MB
(DOCX)
Last updated 24-03-2026
Socials
Related
Sandalwood
Sandalwood
Santalum spicatum
(Sandalwood) is Western Australia’s native aromatic sandalwood species that grows wild among vegetation of the Wheatbelt and rangelands.
Flora Licences
Flora Licences
Native flora (including flowers, seeds, whole plants, timber and firewood) is protected in Western Australia.
Online Disturbance Approval System
Online Disturbance Approval System
Applications to carry out a selection of disturbance activities on Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions managed lands.