I have researched this and have found:
That you need to get a containment facility, the license runs you around $2000
After you have a license of you have to pay MAF I think it is one or two times a year to check to make sure it’s up to standard.
Then you can import reptiles, but first you need a IHS which MAF will not create, if you get all of this done you can import them into the facility. If they make the IHS then all you would need is a quarantine facility that meets to the standard.
If you cant get a IHS (takes one year) then you can go to IMER and get them to allow you to import animals under CITES.
If you can get the animal into the country and get them breeding you have three options.
A) Send back to the country at your expense
B) Keep them
C) Apply to have them released into the pet trade.
if you choose C you have three options...
A) Immediate and full release
B) Conditional Release
c) Release under a full investigation
The first two will run you around $500 and they are for organisms that are not genetically modified and will not survive in our environment.
Conditional release may be that they have to be a certain length, colour, sex
Now C) will cost you around $35,000 it is for an organism that may survive in our environment. It has to go before many researchers and be broadcasted to the media and over your TV2 News LOL
So you can import reptiles if you have the time, money, serious amount of guts and patience.