Biosecurity Spotters logo

Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

The Asian house gecko has spread rapidly across settled parts of northern and eastern Australia, and is increasingly being found in natural habitats. It may compete with native geckos and carries novel parasites that could affect native reptiles.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, reptile.

Native to: Asia.

Established in: QLD, NSW, WA, NT.

Other names: House gecko, Asian gecko.

Best time to act: Look for it after dark, when geckos are active.

Identification

  • A small, nocturnal gecko with a slender body.
  • Its colouring is generally grey or brown, often with mottling.
  • It has large eyes with vertical pupils and adhesive toe pads.
  • Its skin has a granular, bumpy appearance.

Where it lives

In Australia it occurs in settled areas across the north and east, and is increasingly detected in natural habitats, sometimes at high densities.

Why it matters

  • It is a strong competitor and may out-compete Australian geckos in some situations.
  • It carries novel parasites that may affect native reptile species.
  • Its increasing presence in natural habitats raises concern about potential effects on native geckos and natural systems.

How it spreads

  • It has been established in Australia for approximately 50 years.
  • Over the last two decades it has expanded rapidly across settled areas of northern and eastern Australia, and the spread continues.
  • The review describes its spread across northern, eastern and central Australia and notes that it can invade natural habitats.

Control methods

  • Seek advice from the relevant state or territory biosecurity authority and use approved methods.
  • If removal is undertaken, use humane methods appropriate to the site and local guidance.
  • Record and report detections in line with local biosecurity advice.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Before moving vehicles, equipment or stored materials from an infested site, check them for geckos and avoid transporting animals to new sites.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Prohibited dealing. All dealings are prohibited in NSW, so it must not be kept, bred, sold, moved or released. Report any sighting to NSW DPIRD. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Controlled pest animal. It is a controlled pest animal in Victoria, so it can only be kept in high security collections under permit. Report any sighting to Agriculture Victoria.
  • South Australia: Declared animal. Declared animals have legal restrictions, which can cover keeping, moving, selling and releasing them, and landowners may be required to control them.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C1, C3). C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. C3 Management: landholders must manage it to reduce its impact and stop it spreading.
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources