Enforcement statistics
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 with annual priorities set out in our Compliance (Education and Enforcement) Plan 2023 – 2024.
2023-24 statistics update
From 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, the GMA received 261 illegal hunting reports from members of the community. Of these reports, twenty percent related to illegal spotlighting. Twelve percent of reports related to firearm matters and another twelve percent related to general deer enquiries.
During this period, our Game Officers conducted 678 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.
Financial year update (1 July 2023 to 33 June 2024)
Activity | 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| GMA led operations | 19 |
Multi-agency operations Inclusive of partner agency-led operations with GMA support | 22 |
| Information reports generated | 662 |
| Investigations opened | 112 |
Investigations concluded Includes investigations opened prior to 1 July 2023 | 97 |
| Warrants executed | 7 |
Investigations opened by theme 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024All investigations opened by the GMA involve game hunting related offences.
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Illegal hunting reports by theme 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024Some reported themes are outside of the GMA’s remit.
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Annual enforcement overview
| Activity | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of information reports generated | 222 | 454 | 801 | 1081 | 770 | 662 |
| Official (written) warnings issued | 50 | 24 | 3 | 30 | 13 | TBA |
| Warnings (non-infringeable offences) | 12 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | TBA |
| Infringement notices issued as part of the GMA conducted enforcement operations | 27 | 97 | 118 | 117 | 37 | TBA |
| Banning notices issued | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 22 |
| Court proceedings concluded | 20 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
Page last updated: 09 Jul 2024