Enforcement Outcomes
The GMA uses a range of sanctions to deter illegal behaviour within our remit of legislation, such as official warnings, infringement notices, prosecutions and licence suspensions and cancellations.
Any sanctions imposed as a result of court proceedings are at the discretion of the courts, not the GMA.
Other agencies such as Victoria Police, are also authorised to undertake enforcement actions relating to illegal hunting or hunting-related activities.
GMA enforcement actions are undertaken in accordance with our Compliance Strategy 2020 - 2025
2023-24 compliance statistics update
From 1 July 2023 – 27 December 2023, the GMA received 111 illegal hunting reports from members of the community. Of these reports, 28 per cent related to illegal spotlighting. Eighteen per cent of reports related to Illegal deer hunting and firearm matters combined, and a further eight per cent related to hunting on private property without permission.
During this period, our Game Officers conducted 75 proactive patrols based on intelligence. While on patrol, our Game Officers spoke with hunters, landowners, community groups and public land users.
Our Game Managers are also Authorised Officers and travel around the state to conduct education and engagement activities, in accordance with our Education Strategy 2020 – 2025.
Six-month update (July – December 2023)
Activity | 1 July - 27 December 2023 |
---|---|
GMA led operations | 11 |
Multi-agency operations Inclusive of partner agency-led operations with GMA support | 4 |
Information reports generated | 351 |
Investigations opened | 37 |
Investigations concluded Includes investigations opened prior to 1 July 2023 | 44 |
Investigations opened by theme 1 July - 27 December 2023All investigations opened by the GMA involve game hunting related offences. | |
Illegal hunting reports by theme 1 July - 27 December 2023Some reported themes are outside of the GMA’s remit. |
Annual enforcement overview
Activity | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of information reports generated | 222 | 454 | 801 | 1081 | 770 |
Official (written) warnings issued | 50 | 24 | 3 | 30 | 13 |
Warnings (non-infringeable offences) | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Infringement notices issued as part of the GMA conducted enforcement operations | 27 | 97 | 118 | 117 | 37 |
Banning notices issued | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Court proceedings concluded | 20 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 12 |
Page last updated: 03 Jan 2024