What state?
A private collection,or exibit?
Which species, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4? All require different standards.
How will you acquire stock?
How will you dispose of stock?
Any backgroung or accreditation in keeping wildlife?
You will even be asked for info like your country of origin/place of birth & other private & financial details if you apply in NSW.
The categories of animals 2a,3b etc are supposed to be a national standard,however in practice it is applied differently in each state & territory.
I don't think it has to cost thousands of dollars for the paperwork per se, it's the cost of compliance which will be inhibitave. I have no doubt it is the intent of these departments to reduce the number of non indigenous animals held in captivity in Aust ,not increase them.
Cheers Khakibob