Destroy wildlife permits
Most native animal species are protected by state laws. This means that generally it is an offence to kill protected animals or destroy the eggs of protected animals without a permit.
If you would like to apply to destroy wildlife that is causing impacts to your property, infrastructure, the environment, or is causing a safety risk or hazard, first learn about living with wildlife and consider how you can manage and reduce wildlife impacts without the need for destruction.
This page provides information on:
- types of permits
- what a permit allows you to do
- the requirements for obtaining a permit
- how to apply for a permit.
Destruction permits allow people to reduce the impacts caused by wildlife but are not intended to be a tool for reducing wildlife populations.
If you intend to recreationally hunt animals, please refer to the information on hunting.
Protected animal destruction permits
All native animals are protected unless they are listed as unprotected. Examples of protected animals include kangaroos, wallabies, birds or wombats. You must have a Permit to Destroy Wildlife for any protected animal.
Unprotected animal destruction permits
Generally, you do not need a permit to destroy animals listed as unprotected. If you will be shooting unprotected birds, you should familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice for the humane destruction of birds by shooting.
A permit is required if you intend to destroy native birds listed as unprotected by a method other than shooting, such as the trapping and gassing of flocking birds like galahs or little corellas.
To obtain a Permit to Destroy Flocking Birds by Trapping and Carbon Dioxide Narcosis, you must have first completed department training. A minimum of 2 accredited operators must be present to undertake trap and gas activities under a permit. Before applying, read the relevant Code of Practice and contact the Wildlife Management Unit to organise training.
People undertaking destruction
Wildlife must be destroyed using the most humane method to minimise the animals’ suffering. There are codes of practice to help you with this.
Land holders and managers can nominate other persons on their application to be listed on the permit to undertake the destruction on their behalf. Consider using the services of professional shooters, accredited volunteer shooters, or where possible, the commercial kangaroo harvest industry.
Other persons listed on a permit must have written permission from the landholder to be on their land to undertake wildlife destruction. You may use this landholder permission template.
Shooters must hold a current firearms licence from one of the following categories:
- 3 (hunting)
- 5 (primary production)
- 7 (contract shooter)
- 12(v) or 12 (vii) (miscellaneous).
Contacting local police and surrounding neighbours is recommended before firearms are discharged near built-up areas, roads or residential property boundaries.
Your property details
You must provide specific property information on your application regarding where the animals will be destroyed. An application requires a Hundred reference (e.g. Moorowie) and a Plan Parcel reference (e.g. D32868 A204).
If you require destruction on multiple properties, ensure you list the details of all properties (Plan parcel references) on your application.
Use the SA Property and Planning Atlas to source your property details by searching for your property and right clicking on it to view the property information. Alternatively, you could check your council rates notice.
Key permit information
- A permit can be issued for a maximum of 12 months.
- Any person undertaking destruction under a permit must be listed on the application and permit.
- Permission is required to move carcasses of animals destroyed under a permit to a location other than the property listed on the permit.
- Use of carcasses (including for meat, feathers or skins) is not permitted.
- Personal use of kangaroo or wallaby carcasses may be authorised under a permit.
- Additions or changes cannot be made to a permit once it has been granted, a new application must be submitted for a new permit to be issued.
Application information
No permit fee applies to this permit.
See wildlife permit fees for the royalty fee for yellow tags, required for the personal use of kangaroo carcasses.
Permit applications are assessed with consideration to the following:
- use or effectiveness of non-lethal methods to manage impacts
- extent of economic or environmental damage being caused, or likely to be caused, by wildlife
- threat to human safety by wildlife
- effectiveness of lethal methods to minimise impacts
- effect of lethal methods on conservation
- proposed lethal methods are humane and comply with relevant Codes of Practice and animal welfare laws
- possession of the relevant training accreditation to undertake the method of destruction (trap and gas)
- applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a permit.
It is an offence for the permit holder, or any person listed on a permit, not to comply with the conditions of a Permit to Destroy Wildlife. Limitations, restrictions and conditions for the destruction of protected animals on a permit may include:
- species and quantity of animals that may be destroyed
- location(s) where destruction may take place
- persons additional to the permit holder who may undertake destruction
- methods of destruction comply with the relevant Code of Practice for humane destruction or animal welfare laws (where a Code does not exist)
- animal carcasses may not be removed from a property without approval, see information for use of kangaroo carcasses
- a report specifying the species and number destroyed must be returned within 14 days of permit completion (i.e. when the permitted number of animals is reached) or within 14 days of permit expiry
- any additional conditions placed on the permit by the department.
Permit to Destroy Wildlife application form
Permit to Destroy Flocking Birds by trapping and carbon dioxide narcosis application form
Application processing time: allow up to 4 weeks (20 business days). For wildlife posing a serious safety risk or hazard, please advise your local regional office upon submission of your application.
Contact us
If you need more information on Permits to Destroy wildlife, please contact your local regional office.
