About us

Our vision

Game hunting in Victoria meets community expectations as a sustainable and well-regulated activity based on science and conducted in a responsible manner.

Our purpose

We regulate through education, research and enforcement to achieve responsible and sustainable game hunting in Victoria.

Our 5-year goals

Goal 1: Make evidence-based education a cornerstone of our work

Key result: The content and information used in educational programs is science and evidence based and game hunters’ compliance has improved because we have applied our understanding of hunter motivations and behaviours.

Goal 2: Understand the ecology and biology of game species and the impact of hunting on these species in order to achieve sustainability

Key result: Hunting does not adversely affect the sustainability of native game species.

Goal 3: Be respected and recognised as an effective regulator

Key result: All stakeholders clearly understand our role and the importance we bring to achieving sustainable and responsible game hunting.

Goal 4: Implement an effective risk-based compliance strategy

Key result: We are able to accurately measure compliance, track it, and improve it through work across the compliance spectrum.

Goal 5: Increase our capability and expertise

Key result: We have sufficient internal capability and capacity to achieve effective regulation and the provision of reliable advice to Government.

Our work is made stronger by the values that guide it

• We respect each other – and the commitment of all our stakeholders to their work and their causes. This value is evident in the quality and diversity of our relationships with each other and with our stakeholders.
• We act with integrity, courage and transparency by focusing tightly on our role as an impartial, predictable regulator on behalf of all Victorians.
• We value expertise and advice based on sound science and direct experience.
• We are always open to learning from and engaging with our stakeholders.
• We aspire to excellence in our behaviour, our work and our outputs.

About the GMA

The Game Management Authority (GMA) is an independent statutory authority responsible for the regulation of game hunting in Victoria.  It delivers programs to improve and promote responsible hunting in Victoria.

The GMA is responsible for:

• issuing Game Licences;
• managing open and closed seasons for game species;
• enforcing game hunting laws and taking action against those who do not hunt legally; and
• educating and informing hunters on how to hunt legally in Victoria.

The GMA has an important role in managing natural resources across Victoria addressing:

• the sustainable harvest of game species;
• the humane treatment of animals that are hunted and used in game hunting;
• minimising any negative impacts on non-game wildlife, including protected and threatened species; and
• the conservation of wildlife habitats.

GMA staff are located across Victoria to help oversee game hunting activities. Game Licences and information continue to be available from Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning offices, as well as through this website.

The GMA reports to the Minister for Agriculture.

Other responsibilities

In addition to its core regulatory role, the GMA performs a range of other functions, including:

• working with public land managers to improve the management of State Game Reserves and other public land where hunting is permitted
• monitoring, conducting research and analysing the environmental, social and economic impacts of game hunting and management
• working closely with partner agencies, such as the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria Police and Parks Victoria
• making recommendations to relevant Ministers about game hunting and game management, the control of pest animals, declaring public land open and closed to game hunting, open and closed seasons and bag limits.

Responsibilities for game management and hunting in Victoria

Game management involves the monitoring and management of habitats and game populations to achieve sustainable harvest objectives. Regulating hunters and hunting activity contributes to sustainable recreational, social, environmental and economic benefits.  The responsibility for hunting and game management is shared across a range of government departments and agencies because the factors associated with sustainable hunting and game management (game species, water, environment, firearms, land management, pest management etc.) are not the responsibility of any one organisation.  The following table outlines the roles and responsibilities of these organisations in game management in Victoria.

Jointly responsible with Agriculture Minister for some decisions under the Wildlife Act 1975 which relate to game species, including season modifications, further regulation or closure of hunting areas and other decisions under the Act

• Jointly responsible with Agriculture Minister for some decisions under the Wildlife Act 1975 which relate to game species, including season modifications, further regulation or closure of hunting areas and other decisions under the Act

• Manages parks and most reserves and the activities that occur on them, including hunting.  National Parks and State Game Reserves are two examples. Game hunting can be permitted in certain parks and reserves, during season

• Manages parks and most reserves and the activities that occur on them, including hunting.  National Parks and State Game Reserves are two examples. Game hunting can be permitted in certain parks and reserves, during season

Responsible for firearms policy, including regulatory and legislative advice and development

• Responsible for firearms policy, including regulatory and legislative advice and development

Rural water corporations provide water supply, drainage, and salinity mitigation services for irrigation and domestic and stock purposes.  Some of these corporations (e.g. Goulburn-Murray Water) allow hunting on some of the waters they manage and produce information for hunters

• Rural water corporations provide water supply, drainage, and salinity mitigation services for irrigation and domestic and stock purposes.  Some of these corporations (e.g. Goulburn-Murray Water) allow hunting on some of the waters they manage and produce information for hunters

• CMAs have management powers over regional waterways, floodplains, drainage and environmental water

CMAs have management powers over regional waterways, floodplains, drainage and environmental water

• Inspectorate has a role in enforcing animal welfare provisions (mostly domestic pets and small number of livestock) under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
• Can provide advice on animal welfare