I got curious
https://www.artslaw.com.au/info-sheets/ ... sland-law/
under heading
1. Licences for protected plants and animals
A further option would be a ‘written authority’ to collect naturally shed animal materials (for example snake skins or bird feathers).[37] Unlike the formal licencing scheme, these authorities are provided on an ad-hoc basis, via a direct, written application to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. This can be done via letter or email and will require the applicant to specify the type of species and proposed use. From discussions with the DEHP, Arts Law understands that such authorities will only be issued for the use of feathers and snakeskins. There is currently no fee for these authorities (as at 20 July 2016) and the duration will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Once an authorisation is obtained, a copy should be displayed on the final artwork. It is not clear whether it is sufficient, as in some other States, simply to write the authorisation number on the back of the artwork. This enables the artwork to be exhibited or purchased by third parties within Queensland without requiring the exhibiting gallery or purchaser to obtain an additional authorisation. However, once the licence expires, it must be renewed so that the purchaser would be required to get their own licence in order to continue to hold the artwork legally in Queensland. All specimens must be named in the application and licences can be later amended to include additional species if required.
probably need to read the whole thing lol
And this is just relevant to qld
Down the page is an example of of a person using feathers from dead birds, which I always thought was a straight NO!, but seems might be possible in QLD at least.
The problem I would see would be finding a person in the relevant govt department knowledgeable enough to research this topic. When I was working for the Vic govt policy offcers were hards to contact. I would see your local state mp - they are meant to act on your behalf and source gov't info.
I would class a skin on a bow as "ART"
Rgsd
Rob