Possums are protected
All possums are protected native animals under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW). It is generally an offence to harm them, which includes trapping, without a licence or other authority.
PROFESSIONAL POSSUM REMOVAL
Possum Removal Sydney
Humane possum removal that follows NSW rules for protected wildlife, followed by the part that actually solves the problem: sealing the roofline so the possum can't move back in.
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Roofline Proofing
OVERVIEW
Possum Removal the Legal, Lasting Way
The thumping starts after dark, then the scratching, then the smell of urine through the ceiling. A possum in the roof is a common problem for Sydney homes, especially in the cooler months when they look for a dry, sheltered place to den. It is also widely misunderstood, because the obvious fix, catching it and dropping it somewhere far away, is illegal in NSW and usually ends badly for the possum.
All possums are protected native animals under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW). Under the standard NSW catch-and-release licence conditions, a possum trapped in a roof must be caught in a cage trap, kept no longer than 24 hours and released after sunset on the same property, within 150 metres of where it was caught. Possums are territorial, and one moved away from its home range generally struggles to survive.
So the work has two halves: getting the possum out of the roof humanely and within those rules, and proofing the entry points so it settles in a tree or nest box instead of your ceiling. Possum removal starts from $179, with the removal and proofing scope confirmed in a fixed quote.
- Species and entry points identified first
- Humane removal within NSW rules
- Release on your property after dark
- Roofline gaps sealed once the roof is clear
WHICH POSSUM?
Brushtail or Ringtail Possum?
Sydney has two common possums. Knowing which one you have changes how it gets in and how it's managed.
| Feature | Common brushtail possum | Common ringtail possum |
|---|---|---|
| Size & look | Cat-sized, grey to dark coat, large pointed ears and a thick bushy tail | Smaller, reddish-grey coat, short rounded ears and a thin tail with a white tip |
| Where it dens | Tree hollows, and very often roof voids, sheds and wall cavities | Usually a ball-shaped nest (drey) in dense shrubs and trees; less often roofs |
| Noise | Heavy thumping and running, loud hissing and screeching calls | Much quieter, with soft high-pitched calls |
| Droppings | Larger pellets in the roof void and along beams | Smaller pellets, often under the trees and shrubs where it feeds |
| Typical complaint | Ceiling noise, urine stains and smell | Garden damage more often than roof problems |
More detail in our guide to possums in the roof and NSW law.
SIGNS
How to Tell It's a Possum in the Roof
Rats and possums both make noise overhead. These clues point to a possum.
Noise at Dusk and Dawn
Thumping as it leaves to feed at dusk and returns before dawn, rather than light scratching all night.
Urine Stains on Ceilings
Yellow-brown stains and a strong, lingering smell, usually above one favourite den spot.
Larger Droppings
Pellets much bigger than a rat's in the roof space, along top plates and on the roof near the entry.
Worn Entry Points
A lifted tile, a gap at the fascia, bent gutter guard or a smudge of fur and dirt where it squeezes in.
Branches Touching the Roof
Trees and shrubs brushing the roofline give possums an easy route up from the garden.
Chewed Plants
Stripped roses, citrus and new growth in the garden where a brushtail is living nearby.
DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO GET WORSE
Thumping in the roof at night? Let's sort it out properly.
Talk to a licensed Sydney technician today — honest advice and a fixed quote within 30 minutes.
NSW RULES
What the Law Says About Possums
A general summary of NSW requirements. Rules can change, so check current guidance from NSW Environment and Heritage.
Trapping conditions
The standard NSW catch-and-release possum licence conditions include:
- Cage traps only, never lethal traps, snares or poison
- No possum left in a cage for more than 24 hours
- Cages checked every morning
- Food, water and shelter from weather while caged
Release conditions
Possums must be released unharmed, after sunset, on the property where they were caught and within 150 metres of the capture point, against a structure they can climb straight away.
Sealing the roof
Before release, a reasonable effort must be made to seal the roof cavity, after checking no other possums remain inside. That is why proofing is part of a proper possum job, not an optional extra.
OUR PROCESS
How We Get Possums Out and Keep Them Out
Removal and proofing are planned together, so the roof is never sealed with an animal inside.
01
Inspect Roof & Roofline
We confirm it's a possum, identify the species and find every gap it's using, from inside the roof void and outside.
02
Fixed Quote
You get a price covering removal, the proofing needed and any nest box before work starts.
03
Humane Removal
The possum is removed in line with NSW rules, either by confirming it has left to feed at dusk or by cage trapping under licence conditions.
04
Check for Young
Before anything is sealed, the roof is checked for joeys or other possums so no animal is shut inside.
05
Seal the Entry Points
Gaps at tiles, eaves, fascia, vents and roof sheeting are closed with durable materials possums can't pull apart.
06
Release & Follow-Up
Any trapped possum is released after dark near where it was caught, and we check the proofing is holding.
DIY
Possum Do's and Don'ts
Well-meaning DIY fixes cause most repeat possum problems.
| Situation | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| You hear it in the roof | Watch at dusk to see where it leaves the roof | Seal a gap during the day, when the possum is likely still inside |
| You want it gone | Use a licensed operator who works within NSW rules | Trap it yourself or drive it to a park or bushland |
| It keeps coming back | Seal every entry point and trim branches back from the roof | Rely on lights, sprays or ultrasonic devices alone |
| You find a joey or injured possum | Leave it where it is and call a wildlife rescue group such as WIRES | Try to feed or raise it yourself |
| It's eating the garden | Use netting or tree guards on favourite plants | Put food out, which draws more possums in |
PROOFING
Where Possums Get Into Sydney Roofs
The entry points we check along the roofline on every job.
- Broken, slipped or lifted roof tiles
- Gaps where the fascia meets the tiles or roof sheeting
- Open or damaged eaves linings
- Ridge capping with cracked or missing mortar
- Gaps around solar panel mounts, antennas and flues
- Unscreened roof and gable vents
- Joins where an extension meets the original roof
- Open ends of box gutters and valley gutters
- Overhanging branches that give access to the roof
AFTER REMOVAL
Giving the Possum Somewhere Else to Live
Install a nest box
A nest box in a tree on your property gives a displaced possum an alternative den inside its home range, which makes it far less determined to get back into the roof. Brushtail and ringtail boxes differ, so choose one designed for your species.
Keep it off the roof
Trim branches back from the roofline, and where it suits the tree, fit a smooth metal collar to trunks that lead onto the roof.
Protect the garden
Net fruit trees and vegetable beds and use tree guards on favourite plants. Never feed possums, because it encourages more to visit.
If it gets back in
It is usually through a gap that was missed or has opened since, such as a tile slipped in a storm. Call us and we will find the new entry point.
SYDNEY POSSUMS
Why Possums Love Sydney Roofs
Brushtail possums have adapted well to suburban life. Leafy streets on the North Shore and in the Eastern Suburbs, bushland edges in the Hills and the Sutherland Shire, and older Inner West homes with tiled roofs and tired eaves all offer food nearby and a sheltered roof to sleep in. Many roof voids have a gap somewhere: a slipped tile, a rotted fascia board or an unsealed join where an extension meets the old roof.
That is why removal on its own rarely works. A possum released on your property after dark goes straight back to its den if the gap is still open. Read how to stop possums coming back, and if urine and droppings have soaked the insulation, ask about roof void sanitising. Hearing rats instead? See rodent control.
Reviewed by Ismail, Founder · NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 · Updated September 2026
WHY CHOOSE US
The Elite Pest Difference
Wildlife-First Approach
Humane methods that follow NSW rules for protected possums.
Proofing That Lasts
Entry points sealed with durable materials, not a quick patch.
Licensed & Insured
NSW Pest Management licence 5122967 and full insurance.
Every Gap Found
We check the whole roofline, not just the gap you noticed.
SERVICE AREAS
Possum Removal Across Sydney
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FAQ
Possum Removal Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know before you book. Still unsure? Call us — we're happy to help.
Get a Free QuoteHow much does possum removal cost in Sydney?
Possum removal starts from $179. The fixed price depends on how many entry points need sealing, the roof type and height, how easy the roof void is to reach and whether a nest box is added. Larger roof repairs, such as replacing rotted fascia boards, are quoted separately so you can see what is possum work and what is building work.
Is it illegal to remove a possum myself in NSW?
Possums are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, and trapping one is generally treated as harming it, which needs a licence or other authority. You can help by finding where it gets in and watching it leave at dusk, but trapping and handling are best left to a licensed operator.
Can you relocate the possum somewhere else?
No. NSW catch-and-release licence conditions require possums to be released on the property where they were caught, within 150 metres of the capture point, after sunset. Possums are territorial, and one taken to unfamiliar territory generally struggles to find food and shelter and may be driven off by resident possums.
What if there are babies in the roof?
That is why we check before sealing anything. Brushtail young spend months in the pouch and then ride on their mother's back, so a female may be carrying young. If a joey is found on its own or an animal is injured, contact a wildlife rescue group such as WIRES.
Why does the possum keep coming back after removal?
Because an entry point is still open. A possum released on your property heads straight back to its den if it can get in. Lasting results come from sealing every gap in the roofline, trimming branches away from the roof and ideally offering an alternative den such as a nest box.
How do I know it's a possum and not rats?
Possums are much heavier, so you hear thumping rather than light scampering. They usually leave at dusk and return before dawn. Look for larger droppings, strong-smelling urine stains on the ceiling and signs of entry along the roofline. Rats leave small droppings and gnaw marks and are active through the night.
Will a nest box stop the possum getting back in?
A nest box doesn't block entry by itself, but it gives the possum somewhere suitable to live within its territory, which makes it much less determined to get back into the roof. Mount it in a tree away from the house, and choose one sized for the species you have.
Are possums dangerous or a health risk?
They aren't aggressive unless cornered, but they can scratch and bite if handled. Urine and droppings soak into insulation and plasterboard, causing strong odours and staining, and dens in roof voids can attract mites and other pests. Heavily soiled insulation may need removing or sanitising.
When is the best time to deal with a possum in the roof?
As soon as you notice it. The longer a possum lives in the roof, the more urine soaks the ceiling and insulation, and the more attached it becomes to the den. Cooler months are when many possums look for sheltered roof spaces, so autumn is a good time to check your roofline.
Is possum proofing guaranteed?
Warranty terms for possum removal and proofing are confirmed in writing with your quote, because they depend on what was sealed and the condition of the roof. The 6-month warranty on our website applies to general pest treatments. Gaps that open up later, for example from storm damage, can be quoted separately.
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