Kangaroo harvesting
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) began in Victoria on 1 October 2019 to enable the harvesting of Eastern and Western Grey kangaroos (grey kangaroos) in Victoria. The program provides an alternative to the existing Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system for landholders wishing to control kangaroos on their property.
The KHP helps landholders reduce issues caused by kangaroos on-farm, makes use of the carcasses and provides an income for the trained harvesters. Problems faced by landholders include crop destruction, competition with livestock and damage to property such as fences.
The sustainability of kangaroo populations is protected by limiting the harvest using annual quotas. The harvesting quota is set, taking into account population estimates and the predicted ATCW numbers for the coming year.
Authorised harvesters take kangaroos in a sustainable manner at no cost to landholders. Suitable kangaroo carcasses are delivered to a processing centre where they are processed for food and other products, minimising wastage. Harvesters are accredited in firearm proficiency and game harvester skill sets. They must act in accordance with national standards.
Landholders engage authorised harvesters directly and can request details of authorised harvesters in their area. Landholders wishing to use authorised harvesters do not need to apply for an ATCW.
The KHP operates in accordance with the 2024-2028 Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (KHMP):
- Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (PDF 1280.95 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (DOCX 6210.28 KB)
Authorised Harvesters are subject to the Conditions of Authorisation:
- Conditions of Authorisation Conditions of authorisation (PDF 228.61 KB)
- Conditions of Authorisation Conditions of authorisation (DOCX 33.51 KB)
Authorised harvesters must act in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes.
In 2023, the new Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2024-2028 was released.
Updates to the plan included:
- a life span of 5 years. The Plan will operate from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028
- additional management actions to ensure impacts during and after emergencies, such as bushfires and floods
- improvements to reporting and communication processes
Where harvesting can take place from 2024
From 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, the state is divided into 7 Harvest Zones and 1 Exclusion Zone.
Download the 2024 Harvest Zones map 2024 (DOCX 161.03 KB) for the location of the Harvest Zones and Exclusion Zone.
Harvesting in 2024 may only occur in the LGAs listed in Table 1.
Harvesting is not permitted in LGAs listed in the Exclusion Zone.
Table 1. Local Government Areas contained in each Harvest Zone for 2024
Central | Gippsland | Lower Wimmera | Mallee | North East | Otway | Upper Wimmera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballarat Brimbank Hepburn Hume Macedon Ranges Melton Mitchell Moorabool Mt Alexander Murrindindi Nillumbik Whittlesea Yarra Ranges | Bass Coast Baw Baw Cardinia Casey East Gippsland Latrobe Mornington Peninsula South Gippsland Wellington | Ararat Central Goldfields Gannawarra Glenelg Loddon Northern Grampians Pyrenees Southern Grampians | Mildura | Alpine Benalla Campaspe Greater Bendigo Greater Shepparton Indigo Mansfield Moira Strathbogie Towong Wangaratta Wodonga | Colac Otway Corangamite Golden Plains Greater Geelong Hobsons Bay Moyne Surf Coast Warrnambool Wyndham | Buloke Hindmarsh Horsham Swan Hill West Wimmera Yarriambiack |
Exclusion Zone (No harvesting, ATCWs only) | ||||||
Banyule Bayside Boroondara | Greater Dandenong Darebin Frankston | French Island Glen Eira Kingston | Knox Manningham Maribyrnong | Maroondah Melbourne Moonee Valley | Merri-bek Port Phillip Queenscliff | Stonnington Whitehorse Yarra City |
Where harvesting can take place from 2025-2028
From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028, the state is divided into 5 Harvest Zones and 1 Exclusion Zone.
Download the 2025-2028 Harvest Zones map (DOCX 161.33 KB) for the location of the Harvest Zones
Harvesting in 2025-2028 may only occur in the LGAs listed in Table 2
Harvesting is not permitted in LGAs listed in the Exclusion Zone.
Table 2. Local Government Areas contained in each Harvest Zone 2025-2028
Barwon South West | Grampians | Loddon Mallee | Hume | Gippsland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Colac Otway Corangamite Glenelg Greater Geelong Moyne Southern Grampians Surf Coast | Ararat Ballarat Golden Plains Hepburn Hindmarsh Horsham Moorabool Northern Grampians Pyrenees West Wimmera Yarriambiack | Buloke Campaspe Central Goldfields Gannawarra Greater Bendigo Loddon Macedon Ranges Mildura Mount Alexander Swan Hill | Alpine Benalla Greater Shepparton Indigo Mansfield Mitchell Moira Murrindindi Strathbogie Towong Wangaratta Wodonga | Bass Coast Baw Baw East Gippsland Latrobe South Gippsland Wellington Yarra Ranges |
Exclusion Zone (No harvesting, ATCWs only) | ||||
Banyule Bayside Boroondara Brimbank Cardinia Casey Greater Dandenong | Darebin Frankston French Island Glen Eira Hobsons Bay Hume Kingston | Knox Manningham Maribyrnong Maroondah Melbourne Melton Monash | Moonee Valley Mornington Peninsula Merri-bek Nillumbik Port Phillip | Queenscliff Stonnington Whitehorse Whittlesea Wyndham Yarra |
A quota for the harvesting program is set each year, and allocations are released in stages throughout the year.
From this quota, harvesters in different parts of Victoria can apply for an allocation that specifies how many grey kangaroos they can harvest in any given Harvest Zone.
These allocations are strictly enforced, and non-compliance may result in the revocation of authorisation to operate. Non-compliance is subject to penalties under the Wildlife Act 1975.
To ensure the sustainability of kangaroo populations, a total recommended take (across the KHP and ATCWs) is determined. The total recommended take is set at no more than 10% of the population.
The KHP quota is based on grey kangaroo population estimates in each Harvest Zone. Harvest Zones with a higher proportion of Victoria's kangaroo population will generally have a higher quota. The predicted ATCW numbers within a Harvest Zone also affects the KHP quota.
ATCWs are considered on a case-by-case basis and not capped. Therefore, the level of take across the two programs is monitored closely. The quota allocations may be revised at the next planned release if the level of control approaches or trends above the 10% recommended maximum.
The 2024 quota covers 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
| Harvest zone | Total annual quota per zone |
|---|---|
| Central | 61,700 |
| Gippsland | 13,700 |
| Lower Wimmera | 39,000 |
| Mallee | 0 |
| North East | 8,100 |
| Otway | 15,350 |
| Upper Wimmera | 17,800 |
| Statewide total (annual) | 155,650 |
Harvesters can apply for a quota allocation in any zone. The allocation will specify how many kangaroos they can harvest and in which zones. Tags (with quota ID) are then posted to harvesters for attaching to kangaroos at the time of harvesting.
Harvesters must only harvest the number of kangaroos they have been allocated tags for, and only in the zones the tags specify.
The quota releases for 2024 are provided below. The quota will be released quarterly. Any quarterly unallocated quota may be rolled into the next quarter's release.
2024 quota release
Harvest Zone | Quota released | Quota released | Quota released | Quota released | Total annual quota |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central | 15,425 | 15,425 | 15,425 | 15,425 | 61,700 |
Gippsland | 3,425 | 3,425 | 3,425 | 3,425 | 13,700 |
Lower Wimmera | 9,750 | 9,750 | 9,750 | 9,750 | 39,000 |
Mallee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
North East | 2,025 | 2,025 | 2,025 | 2,025 | 8,100 |
Otway | 3,837 | 3,837 | 3,837 | 3,839 | 15,350 |
Upper Wimmera | 4,450 | 4,450 | 4,450 | 4,450 | 17,800 |
Active/non-active
The status of a harvester is assessed per Harvest Zone. Harvesters must demonstrate activity in the zone they are applying for quota.
Harvesters' initial status per zone for 2024 will be based on their activity in that zone throughout October- December (the last three months of 2023).
2024 active/non-active criteria
Non-active harvester:
- a new harvester
- a harvester who has not received an allocation of tags for the zone in the last three months.
- a harvester who has received an allocation in the last three months for the zone but has not consumed 50% of the total tags issued to them in these three months.
Active harvester:
- a harvester who has received an allocation of tags in the three months prior to applying for tags and has consumed at least 50% of the total tags issued to them for the zone within these three months.
2024 tag allocation rules
The tag allocation rules outlined below will apply to all harvesters for 2024.
Tag allocation rules prevent harvesters from stockpiling unused tags.
| Demonstrated harvest status | Maximum tag allowance |
|---|---|
| Non-active Harvesters | Maximum 50 tags, per zone |
| Active Harvesters | Maximum 200 tags, per zone |
Wherever possible, harvesters will receive the quota they have applied for, if eligible. Demand and supply constraints in some zones may mean that the quota received is less than what was applied for.
Vehicles used in harvesting, processing, storing or transporting kangaroos for pet or human food or other commercial products must be licensed with PrimeSafe.
For further information on these requirements, visit the PrimeSafe website.
To get involved in the program as a harvester, you will need to register through Service Victoria.
Please ensure you are using Chrome as your browser when registering or logging into their system.
Register with Service Victoria
Log in as an existing Service Victoria user
You will need to provide evidence of appropriate training, including:
Firearm Proficiency training
Harvesters will need to provide documented evidence of a valid Firearm Proficiency accreditation ,which includes an accuracy test undertaken every five years.
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) Victoria offers the Commercial Kangaroo Firearms Proficiency Accreditation Course.
Game Harvester Skill Set
Harvesters must provide documented evidence of completing a recognised Game Harvester competency program.
PrimeSafe accreditation
Harvesters will need to provide evidence of a harvester vehicle licensed with PrimeSafe. Interstate licences from relevant meat industry regulators are accepted.
Assistance
For help registering or using the Service Victoria App, access our Guide for Harvesters Guide for Harvesters (DOCX 165.52 KB)
Frequently asked questions
For processor and harvester information, see the following documents:
To get involved in the KHP as a landowner, you must register through Service Victoria.
Once registered, you can request a list of authorised harvesters interested in operating in your zone.
It will be up to you to contact harvesters directly to organise a time and date for harvest.
Landowners must provide written consent to an authorised harvester to harvest grey kangaroos on their property.
Landowners should also request evidence from the harvester that they have appropriate public liability or indemnity insurance.
Download the Consent form for landowners Consent form for landowners (DOC 715.5 KB)
Frequently asked questions
For more information, refer to the following document:
2023
Quarter 1 Summary Report
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q1 2023 Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q1 2023 (PDF 224.14 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q1 2023 - Accessible version Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q1 2023 - Accessible (DOCX 59.29 KB)
Quarter 2 Summary Report
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q2 2023 Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q2 2023 (PDF 286.22 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q2 2023 - Accessible version Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q2 2023 - Accessible (DOCX 66.56 KB)
Quarter 3 Summary Report
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q3 2023 Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q3 2023 (PDF 335.35 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q3 2023 - Accessible version Kangaroo Harvesting Program Report Q3 2023 - Accessible (DOCX 67.29 KB)
2022
Kangaroo Harvest Program 2022 Annual Report
- Kangaroo Harvest Program 2022 Annual Report Kangaroo Harvest Program Annual Report -2022 (PDF 275.98 KB)
- Kangaroo Harvest Program 2022 Annual Report - Accessible Version Kangaroo Harvest Program Annual Report -2022 - Accessible (DOCX 74.94 KB)
Kangaroo Harvesting Program - Annual Summary Report 2022
Contact information
For all queries, complaints and concerns relating to the Kangaroo Harvesting Program, please contact :
- Phone: 136 186 (between 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday)
- Email: customer.service@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 8 February 2024