Frequently asked questions about commercial kangaroo harvesting in South-East NSW
What is commercial harvesting?
Commercial harvesting allows the carcases of the kangaroos shot to be sold for either pet food or human consumption. Previously, only non-commercial licenses were available in the southeast NSW area, and the carcases of culled kangaroos could not be sold. Note that non-commercial licenses are still available in a commercial harvest zone.
Commercial harvesting gives landholders the opportunity to engage licensed professional kangaroo shooters (called "trappers") to remove kangaroos from their properties. This reduces the cost of kangaroo control to landholders, as well as the problem of carrion being available to feral carnivores.
Commercial harvesting ensures that the kangaroos are killed by professional trappers who have been accredited by the NSW Firearms Safety and Training Council, and are appropriately licensed. Trappers must adhere to the Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos.
How is the commercial harvest regulated?
The quota limits the number of kangaroos that can be shot commercially in any kangaroo management zone. The quota is calculated each year from population estimates, and is approved by the Commonwealth Government for that calendar year.
Every step in the kangaroo supply chain is licensed and monitored. All types of licences have conditions attached, and all licensees are required to submit activity reports to the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) for monitoring purposes.
How is the quota allocated?
The commercial harvest zone is divided into kangaroo management zones. Within each of these zones, the quota is allocated on a 'first in, first served' basis until the quota has been fully utilised. An authorised DEC officer assesses each application prior to approval, and may contact the landholder for clarification if there is concern about any of the information on the application. A licence may not be granted for the number of tags on the application, if it appears to be excessive in the circumstances, or if there is insufficient quota remaining.
Which species can be taken commercially?
In the South-East NSW commercial zone, only eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) can be taken commercially. If a landholder needs to cull any other species, a non-commercial licence will be required.
Who can shoot kangaroos commercially?
Only people who are licensed by DEC as professional trappers may shoot kangaroos and sell the carcases. Carcases must only be sold to licensed fauna dealers, and must only be transported and stored in correctly registered vehicles and premises.
Where can kangaroos be shot?
Kangaroos can only be shot in accordance with a commercial occupier's licence (Section 121 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act). Tags are issued for the number of kangaroos specified on the licence, and can only be used on that property before the licence expires. It is usually the nominated trapper who pays for and receives the tags.
Commercial use of kangaroos is prohibited within national parks and other reserved areas, and can only be undertaken on private landholdings with the permission of the landholder (owner or occupier/manager). The licence states which professional trapper may shoot the kangaroos, how many may be shot, when the licence expires and what conditions apply.
What is the role of the landholder?
Trappers must have the landholder's permission to shoot kangaroos on his/her property. This is done by the landholder completing and signing a commercial occupier's licence application form, on which he/she nominates one trapper to undertake the harvesting. For commercial licences, landholders cannot shoot the kangaroos themselves unless they first obtain either a professional trapper licence or an occupier trapper licence.
How do I become a professional trapper?
There are three requirements that must be satisfied for DEC to issue a professional trapper licence. These are:
- a valid firearms licence
- successful completion of the accreditation course for professional trappers through the NSW Firearms Safety and Training Council Ltd
- successful completion of the Game Meat Handling and Hygiene course through TAFE.
What if I want to shoot kangaroos commercially on my own property?
Landholders can apply for an occupier trapper licence if they want to shoot kangaroos commercially on their own properties. This is similar to a professional trapper licence in that the carcases can be sold. However, shooting is restricted to properties owned or occupied by the licensee, which are nominated on the occupier trapper licence. The training requirements are the same as for a professional trapper licence.
What does it cost?
The current fee for a professional trapper licence is $200 per year. The licence is valid until 31 December in the year of issue. Occupier trapper licenses cost $50 per year. The Kangaroo Trapper Accreditation course currently costs $165 (including GST), and is valid for five years. The TAFE course costs $150-180 and has no expiry date. Commercial occupier licences are free of charge, but commercial tags cost 80 cents each (GST free). Tags must be purchased from DEC and attached to every carcase taken under the licence.
There are also costs associated with the set up and registration of vehicles to transport kangaroos (through SafeFood NSW). Currently the fee is $150 annually plus a one-off application fee of $75.
Where do I get application forms and tags from?
The Queanbeyan office of DEC is the administrative centre for commercial kangaroo licensing in the South-East NSW zone. Non-commercial licences and tags will continue to be available from your local DEC Area office.
What about public liability?
Public liability insurance is the responsibility of the landholder and the professional trapper. DEC has no role in regulating this.
How do trappers find properties to shoot on?
It is the responsibility of landholders and trappers to arrange for commercial shooting to be undertaken. Due to privacy constraints, DEC is not able to provide contact lists for landholders and trappers wishing to undertake commercial kangaroo harvesting.
Where can I find out more?
- Find out more about the Kangaroo Management Program on this website.
- Contacts:
- DEC Queanbeyan office
- Kangaroo Management Unit in Dubbo
- SafeFood NSW - Glenn Locke 0407 998 861
- Firearms Safety and Training Council Ltd - Gary Bryant 02 9486 3077