Authorities to Control Wildlife: 2025

Important information about this data

Number of animals

The data represents the maximum number of animals (wildlife) authorised for control under ATCWs issued between 1 January and 31 December 2025. These figures reflect the upper limit permitted for each authorisation. In practice, the actual number of animals controlled under ATCWs is understood to be significantly lower, as most permit holders undertake control below their approved maximum. As a result, the reported figures should be interpreted as the potential level of control rather than a record of the number of animals controlled.

Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos harvested under the Kangaroo Harvesting Program are not included in this data.

For bird species, the Conservation Regulator may also authorise egg and nest destruction, which are included in the number of animals authorised for control.

Non-lethal and lethal control

The Conservation Regulator requires applicants to demonstrate they have exhausted non-lethal options for the management of wildlife. Where non-lethal techniques are ineffective or impractical, lethal control may be necessary.

Not all non-lethal control methods require an ATCW, for example installing fencing or netting to keep wildlife out of an area where they may be causing damage or removing old nests when there are no eggs or nesting birds present.

However, some non-lethal control options do require an ATCW. Examples include trapping and relocating wildlife, deliberate use of noise, water or smoke to disrupt normal behaviours such as roosting or ushering macropods out of an area.

Threatened species

For species listed as threatened under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, permits for lethal control are generally not issued unless there is a significant and unavoidable risk to human health and safety and all non-lethal control options have been exhausted.

Applications to disturb or relocate threatened wildlife are given additional consideration in regard to any negative impact to the conservation status of the species, as well as to ensure significant animal welfare impacts are minimised.

In 2025 no ATCWs were issued for lethal control of any species listed as threatened under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1986 or the Commonwealth Environment and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

ATCWs were issued for lethal control of ten species (Australasian Gannets, Australian White Ibis, Cape Barren Goose, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Little Raven, Magpie Goose, Purple Swamphen, Silver Gull, Silvereye and Welcome Swallow) which are listed marine species under the EPBC Act. The designated conservation status of these species is ‘least concern’.

Drivers of Authority to Control Wildlife applications

In 2025, there was an increased number of landholders applying for ATCWs. The reasons for this increase are not confirmed, however, it is likely driven by a few years of environmental conditions that supported kangaroo population growth, followed by drought conditions which resulted in increased numbers of kangaroos seeking food and water on properties.

In addition to environmental drivers, the increase in applications may also be attributed to an increase in awareness and engagement with the ATCW system. These have reduced the average processing time from 12 days to under 5 days, encouraging more landholders to engage with the ATCW system.

Table 1: Authorities to Control Wildlife issued between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025