Aboriginal hunting and gathering
A ban on bow and crossbow hunting came into effect on 1 December 2024. It is an offence for anyone to use a bow or crossbow to hunt most animals in South Australia. For more information see Bow and crossbow hunting.
Aboriginal people can hunt and gather native animals and plants in South Australia in certain circumstances such as for food or cultural purposes.
If you are a person of Aboriginal descent and who is accepted as a member of an Aboriginal community, this page can provide information for your hunting and gathering activities, including:
- where you can hunt and gather
- what access permissions you may need
- whether you need a permit.
Where you can hunt and gather
Aboriginal people can hunt and gather for food or cultural purposes on the following land, where there is permission from the landowner:
- private land
- Crown land (including dedicated, unalienated, leased or licensed Crown land)
- pastoral leases
- certain national parks and wilderness protection areas, where it has been specifically allowed for that park or by the parks co-management board.
There may be other rights to hunt, fish, gather and conduct cultural activities on land granted under the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth). Native title determinations are not managed by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), they are made through the Federal Court and new agreements are negotiated with Traditional Owners.
Access permission
Private land and Crown land
On private land and Crown land, you must have the consent of the landowner to gather native plants, and the written permission of the landowner to hunt. You may use this landowner permission form to gain written permission for hunting.
Where there is no private landowner, lessee or licensee of land, the land may be under the care and control of a custodian acting on behalf of the responsible Minister, such as DEW, SA Water or a council.
Pastoral leases
Aboriginal people can enter, travel across and stay on pastoral land for the purposes of following traditional pursuits such as hunting and food gathering.
See the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 for further information.
National Parks and Wilderness Protection Areas
Generally, hunting and gathering is not permitted in parks or wilderness areas in South Australia. However, hunting and gathering for personal, cultural and non-commercial purposes can be permitted in certain parks where a proclamation has been made or a co-management board allows for it.
If you are unsure, it is recommended you contact the local parks office to ensure hunting and gathering takes place safely, and in accordance with any rules specific to the park (e.g. suitable areas). Park office contact details can be found on the park’s webpage.
A list of parks with a proclamation for hunting and gathering is provided below, and see here the list of co-managed National Parks.
Eyre and Far West Region (Ceduna office):
- Acraman Creek Conservation Park
- Boodina Conservation Park
- Chadinga Conservation Park
- Fowlers Bay Conservation Park
- Great Australian Bight Marine National Park
- Lake Gilles Conservation Park
- Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve
- Point Bell Conservation Park
- Pureba Conservation Park
- Wahgunyah Conservation Park
- Whittelbee Conservation Park
- Yellabinna Regional Reserve and Wilderness Protection Area
- Yumbarra Conservation Park
Flinders and Outback Region (Port Augusta office):
- Elliot Price Conservation Park.
Permits
Aboriginal people do not require a permit under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to hunt or gather if the native animals, eggs or plant material will be used for:
- food for the person who takes it or for their dependents, or
- for Aboriginal cultural purposes.
A permit is required for Aboriginal people to take and sell hunted native animals, their carcasses or eggs, or collected native plant material. Examples of where Aboriginal people would need a commercial permit include for selling:
- native plant bush foods
- native plant medicines or therapeutic goods
- artefacts made from native wood or vegetation (e.g. yidaki/didgeridoo, boomerang, baskets)
- kangaroo or wallaby carcasses for meat or skins.
For permit information and how to apply, see:
Aboriginal people managing land, where native animals are causing impacts to crops, stock, property or to the environment, can find more information for wildlife management activities at Living with wildlife.
For more information about permits contact us.
