Kakadu National Park is a Commonwealth reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). Kakadu National Park includes Aboriginal owned land and is jointly managed by the Director of National Parks and the traditional owners of the land in the park in accordance with the EPBC Act, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth) (EPBC Regulations) and the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016.
Certain activities undertaken in the Kakadu National Park will need approval from the Director of National Parks under the EPBC Act or the EPBC Regulations.
Scientific research
To conduct scientific research in the park you will need to apply for a permit. If the research activity requires access to biological resources for commercial purposes, a $50 application fee will apply and the applicant will be required to enter into an access and benefit sharing agreement.
See Scientific research permits for more information.
Commercial media
Permits
You will need to apply for a permit if you wish to conduct filming, audio capture, photography or artwork in Kakadu National Park for commercial purposes. The application fee for commercial filming is $250 per day. The application fee for commercial photography, artwork, or audio capture is $30 per day.
See Commercial media permits for more information.
Licences
Licences are required large or unique image capture projects within the park. Licensed projects are typically large, more complex projects with crews of 4 people or more for a period of over 5 days. Some advertising, promotion or product placement projects may also require a licence. The application fee for a commercial media licence is $200.
See Commercial media licences for more information.
Commercial tourism
Permits
Individuals and other commercial entities (eg. companies and associations) wishing to conduct commercial activities in the park, including commercial tours, need to have a permit issued by the Director. A permit application can be for either one year or three years and have different costs depending on how many trips will be undertaken in the park.
One year permits
- Four or less trips - If you apply for a one year permit with four or less trips into Kakadu National Park, a permit application fee of $100 will apply.
- More than four trips - If you apply for a one year permit with more than four trips into Kakadu National Park, a permit application fee of $500 will apply.
Three year permits
- Four or less trips - If you apply for a three year permit with four or less trips into Kakadu National Park, a permit application fee of $300 will apply.
- More than four trips - If you apply for a three year permit with more than four trips into Kakadu National Park, a permit application fee of $1500 will apply.
See Commercial tourism permits for more information.
Licences
Licences may be issued for commercial activities. They will generally be granted for a 5 year period, and for longer terms where significant investment is required. The application fee for a commercial tourism licence is $200.
See Commercial tourism licences for more information.
Commercial events
Licences
To conduct commercial events in the Kakadu National Park you will need to apply for a licence. Commercial events include corporate dining experiences, festivals and markets, sports events, weddings, meetings, and any gatherings of 15 people or more. A $200 application fee applies to all commercial event licence applications.
See Commercial event licences for more information.
Other activities
Permits
Kakadu National Park accepts permit applications for other activities that are not listed above. Please contact the park to determine if you need approval to conduct your activity. Permit applications for other activities have no application fee.
See Other activity permits for more information.
Licences
Kakadu National Park accepts licence applications for other activities that are not listed above. Please contact the park to determine if you need approval to conduct your activity. Licence applications for other activities have a $200 application fee.
Management Plan
Kakadu National Park is currently managed under the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026. The management plan outlines the broad goals and conservation values of Kakadu National Park, as well as the activities that need approval from the Director of National Parks.
Contact us
Visit Parks Australia for the complete contact details of each park.