Kangaroo harvesting
Harvesting has recommenced in Gippsland and North East
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program has resumed across most of the Gippsland and North East zones after an assessment of kangaroo populations in those regions following this year’s bushfires.
In January, the program was suspended as the impact of the fires was considered. The program recommenced across most of the state in February and is now active across a wider area.
Tags can be issued for the North East and Gippsland harvest zones, but harvesters will not be able to operate within the Towong, Alpine or East Gippsland shire areas due to the impact of the bushfires.
Media release – 18 August 2020 Media Release - Kangaroo harvesting recommences (PDF 121.77 KB)
Media release – 18 August 2020 Media Release - Kangaroo harvesting recommences (DOCX 85.95 KB)
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) began in Victoria on 1 October 2019 to enable the commercial harvesting of kangaroos in Victoria.
The program ensures Victoria’s kangaroo population is managed in a sustainable way, in line with national animal welfare standards, while helping landowners who are having problems with over-abundant kangaroos. These problems might include crop destruction, competition with livestock and damage to property such as fences.
Authorised harvesters take kangaroos in a sustainable manner and suitable kangaroo carcasses are delivered to a processing centre where they are processed for pet food and other products to minimise wastage. Harvesters are accredited in firearm proficiency and game handling and act in accordance with national standards.
Landholders engage authorised harvesters directly and can request details of authorised harvesters in their area.
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program operates in accordance with the 2020 Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan:
- Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan Kangaroo harvest management plan Kangaroo harvest management plan, 2021-2023 (PDF 681.47 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan Kangaroo harvest management plan Kangaroo harvest management plan, 2021-2023 (DOCX 2716.17 KB)
Authorised Harvesters are subject to the Conditions of Authorisation:
- Conditions of Authorisation Conditions of authorisation Conditions of authorisation (PDF 224.55 KB)
- Conditions of Authorisation Conditions of authorisation Conditions of authorisation (DOCX 56.54 KB)
Authorised harvesters are required to act in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes.
Click map to view a larger version or download the Kangaroo harvest zones map Kangaroo harvest zones Kangaroo harvest zones map (PDF 2325.2 KB)
There are seven kangaroo harvest zones in Victoria:
- Mallee
- Upper Wimmera
- Lower Wimmera
- Central
- Otway
- North East
- Gippsland
Harvesters in different parts of Victoria can apply to harvest in any given region.
Kangaroo harvest numbers are based on a quota which is updated every 12 months in response to kangaroo population surveys and population modelling.
From this quota, harvesters in different parts of Victoria can apply for an allocation which specifies how many kangaroos they can harvest in any given harvest zone.
Quota is set for each harvest zone and can vary over time. Annual quota is released in stages to ensure availability throughout the year.
These allocations are strictly enforced, and non-compliance may result in revocation of authorisation to operate. Non-compliant harvesters could face significant penalties and jail-time.
The 2020 quota is now available and covers the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.
Harvest Zone | Total Annual Quota per Zone |
|---|---|
Mallee | 2,000 |
Upper Wimmera | 4,000 |
Lower Wimmera | 17,500 |
Central | 12,000 |
Otway | 8,000 |
North East | 11,300* |
Gippsland | 3,100* |
Statewide Total (annual) | 57,900 |
* Revised annual quotas
Harvesters in different parts of Victoria can apply for a quota allocation which specifies how many kangaroos they can harvest in any given harvest zone. Tags (with quota ID) are then posted to harvesters for attaching at the time of harvesting.
The annual quota and quarterly releases for 2020 are provided below. Any quarterly unallocated quota is rolled into the next quarter release.
Harvest Zone | Total Annual Quota per Zone | Total Quota released for Quarter 1 | Total Quota released for Quarter 2 | Quota to be released for Quarter 3 | Quota to be released for Quarter 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mallee | 2,000 | 500 | 0 | 1,100 | 400 |
Upper Wimmera | 4,000 | 1,400 | 1,000 | 1,000** | 600 |
Lower Wimmera | 17,500 | 7,000 | 5,600 | 2,625** | 2,275 |
Central | 12,000 | 4,800 | 3,750 | 2,600** | 850 |
Otway | 8,000 | 1,800 | 2,650 | 1,950 | 1,600 |
North East | 11,300 | 0 | 0 | 5,650 | 5,650 |
Gippsland | 3,100 | 0 | 0 | 1,550 | 1,550 |
Total released | 57,900 | 15,500 | 13,000 | 16,475 | 12,925 |
** Quotas have now been fully allocated for this zone.
Quarter four quota applications
Applications for quarter four quota will open at 12:00 pm on Tuesday 29th September 2020.
Quota applications received prior to this date in zones that have no quarter three allocation remaining will be rejected.
Due to the limited number of tags available in the Central and Upper Wimmera Zones quarter four tag allocations in these zones will only be available to active harvesters.
Quarter four quota allocation applications in these zones will be restricted to 100 tags per active harvester.
The existing 2020 tag allocation rules will continue to apply to all other open harvest zones.
2020 Tag allocation rules
New tag allocation rules were introduced in 2020, to prevent non-active harvesters from stockpiling unused tags. For 2020, the allocation rules are as follows:
Demonstrated harvest status | Non-active Harvesters | Active Harvesters* |
|---|---|---|
Initial tag allowance | 50 tags, per zone | 200 tags or 30% of the total quarterly release, whichever number is lower, per zone |
Subsequent tag allowance | 200 tags or 30% of the total quarterly release, whichever number is lower, per zone | 200 tags or 30% of the total quarterly release, whichever number is lower, per zone |
* An active harvester – a harvester who has been active for three months prior to applying for tags and who has consumed (used) at least 45% of their total tags issued to them within this three-month period.
Before being able to apply for subsequent tag allocations, the harvester must have consumed (used) 50% of the tags issued to them.
PrimeSafe
On 1st February 2020, the Meat Industry Act 1993 was amended. As a result vehicles used in harvest, processing, storage or transport of kangaroos for pet food or other commercial products, must now be licensed with PrimeSafe by 1 October 2020.
Review of the National Code
The review of the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes is in its final stages and a final version will be available shortly.
To get involved in the program as a harvester, you'll need to register through Service Victoria.
Please ensure you are using Chrome as your browser when registering or logging into their syste.
Log in as an existing Service Victoria user
You will need to provide evidence of appropriate training including:
Firearm proficiency training
SSAA (Vic) delivers a commercial harvesting of kangaroos proficiency course. Contact SSAA (Vic) for further information.Game Harvester Skill Set
Learn more about Game Harvester Skill Set training.
Interstate qualifications are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
For more information, please see the following documents:
- FAQs for processors FAQs processors FAQs processors (PDF 113.48 KB)
- FAQs for processors FAQs processors FAQs processors (DOCX 1498.29 KB)
- FAQs for harvesters FAQs harvesters FAQs harvesters (PDF 166.56 KB)
- FAQs for harvesters FAQs harvesters FAQs harvesters (DOCX 1513.48 KB)
Need assistance? For help registering or using the Service Victoria App please access our Guide for Harvesters Guide for Harvesters Guide for Harvesters (DOCX 40.67 KB)
To get involved in the program as a landowner, you’ll need to register through Service Victoria.
Once registered, you can request a list of currently authorised harvesters who have expressed an interest in operating in your zone.
It will be up to you to make direct contact with harvesters to organise a time and date for harvest.
Landowners are required to provide written consent to an authorised harvester to harvest kangaroos on their property.
Also, they should request evidence from the harvester that they have appropriate public liability or public indemnity insurance.
Note that the authorised harvester e-licence on the Service Victoria app is sufficient proof of authorisation for processors and landowners.
Download: Consent form for landowners Consent form for landowners Consent form for landowners (DOC 715.5 KB)
Frequently asked questions
For more information, please see the following documents:
The Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) program will continue separately to the Kangaroo Harvesting Program.
ATCWs allow landowners to control kangaroos on their own property themselves, but these carcasses cannot be processed or leave the property.
For more information on ATCWs, see Wildlife.vic.gov.au: Wildlife management and control authorisations.
- Follow all instructions, signage and park where directed.
- Before entering or leaving a property, ensure your vehicle, equipment, footwear and clothing are clean and free of any visible dirt or contaminants and, if possible, disinfected or washed away from livestock or crops.
- If entering certain areas, you must use provided equipment or clothing if asked.
- Minimise contact with livestock, crops and plant materials, and only enter authorised areas.
Contact information
All queries, complaints and concerns should be emailed to kangarooharvesting@ecodev.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.
Page last updated: 25 August 2020