About the Kangaroo Harvesting Program
In Victoria, harvesting of Eastern and Western Grey kangaroos has been allowed since 1 October 2019, under the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (KHMP).
Under this program, landholders can use authorised harvesters to control kangaroos on their property at no charge. Unlike the Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system, where landholders control and dispose of the kangaroos themselves, the harvesting program allows landholders to engage professional harvesters who will undertake the control and will remove the carcasses for commercial use.
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) is administered by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), while DELWP is responsible for preparing the KHMP and annual quota for the program.
Why use the Kangaroo Harvesting Program?
There are a number of benefits for landholders that use the KHP rather than the ATCW system:
- You don't need to apply for an ATCW
- You don't have to control the kangaroos yourself
- You don’t need to dispose of carcasses
- Using professional harvesting services can be more humane
- Professional harvesters control and remove the kangaroos from your property
- Professional harvesting services are free for landholders
- Carcasses are used commercially rather than wasted
For more information on how to become an authorised harvester or to find a harvester operating in your area please visit the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Kangaroo Harvesting Program page.
Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan
The Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan sets the objectives and requirements for kangaroo harvesting. Harvesting must be ecologically sustainable, humane, and only undertaken by authorised people.
To ensure the sustainability of Victorian kangaroo populations, the plan sets out the requirement for the KHP harvest quotas across 7 harvest zones. The harvest quotas are the maximum number of kangaroos that can be taken under the program each year.
Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2021-2023 (PDF, 728.7 KB)
Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2021-2023 (DOCX, 2.7 MB)
Kangaroo Harvesting Management Plan Review
The Kangaroo Harvesting Management Plan is set to expire at the end of 2023. Currently, a new KHMP is being drafted and relies on public consultation as part of this process. We sought feedback from the Victorian community and key stakeholders on the existing plan and are using this feedback to inform the development of the future plan.
For more information on the public consultation please visit Engage Victoria here: https://engage.vic.gov.au/project/kangaroo-harvesting-management-review
Developmental Wildlife Trade Operation
The KHMP has been recognised under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a Developmental Wildlife Trade Operation. This allows products obtained through the program, including those stockpiled since the program commenced on 1 October 2019, to be exported internationally. This will remain in effect for the life of the current plan.
Declaration of an Approved Developmental Wildlife Trade Operation (PDF, 445.3 KB)
Declaration of an Approved Existing Stocks Wildlife Trade Operation (PDF, 446.0 KB)
Evaluation of the Kangaroo Pet Food Trial (2019)
The KHP was established after an evaluation of the former Kangaroo Pet Food Trial (KPFT) which found that the risks associated with commercial kangaroo processing could not be adequately managed under the trial framework.
Further information on the trial and its evaluation can be found in the following evaluation report.
Page last updated: 18/07/23