Changes to gamebird licensing conditions
From 2025 (inclusive), there are important changes to licensing conditions for new gamebird hunters.
As a condition of their licence, all new gamebird hunters must complete online education modules and knowledge tests, before being permitted to hunt gamebirds in Victoria.
All new duck hunters must complete:
- The Hunting essentials online education module
- The Duck hunting basics online education module
- The Waterfowl Identification Test online education module.
All new Stubble Quail and introduced gamebird hunters need to complete:
- The Hunting essentials online education module
- The Quail and introduced gamebirds online education module.
Knowledge tests are contained in each education module. Applicants must pass the knowledge test to successfully complete the module.
If you have not held a gamebird licence previously, you are considered a new gamebird hunter.
New applicants for a Game Licence to hunt duck or quail in 2025
New gamebird licence applicants can access the online education modules in MyGL from 17 February 2025.
To complete the online education modules, applicants for a Game Licence to hunt duck or quail must first register for a MyGL account.
By registering for a MyGL account, applicants will be able to access the online education modules and tests and apply for a Game Licence (from 17 February 2025).
The online education modules can be completed within MyGL at any time, prior to applying for a Gamebird Licence.
The Hunting essentials online education module only needs to be completed once if an applicant wants to apply for a Game Licence for both duck and quail.
Existing and previous gamebird hunters
People who hold a current gamebird licence or have previously held a gamebird licence do not need to complete the education modules and knowledge tests prior to hunting in the 2025 seasons.
For previous gamebird hunters, to reapply for your gamebird licence in 2025 without completing the online education modules, you will need to provide your name, date of birth and species you want to hunt, via email to game.licensing@gma.vic.gov.au
From 2026, all renewing gamebird hunters and anyone reapplying for a gamebird licence will need to complete the online education modules and knowledge test.
Existing and previous gamebird hunters do not need to repeat the Waterfowl Identification Test.
See Licensing and Renewals for more information on the renewal process.
New and renewing duck hunters are not automatically endorsed to hunt quail
From February 2025, new duck hunters will no longer be automatically permitted to hunt quail and introduced gamebirds in Victoria.
To be eligible to hunt quail and introduced gamebirds, new hunters must first complete the quail education modules and knowledge tests.
There is no additional fee to add quail to a Game Licence endorsed to hunt duck, and vice versa.
Existing licence holders endorsed to hunt duck can continue to hunt quail until renewal of their Game Licence. Upon renewal, to hunt duck and quail in Victoria, hunters must first complete the Hunting essentials, Duck hunting basics and Quail and introduced gamebirds education modules.
System Requirements
The online education modules are compatible with most operating systems on both desktop computers and mobile devices. We recommend completing the modules on a desktop computer or large-screen device.
Frequently asked questions
The education modules may take between 40 – 150 minutes per module, depending on the complexity of the module.
It will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete a knowledge test.
Applicants will need to complete the knowledge test within a timed period. The time permitted to complete the knowledge tests at the end of each education module varies.
The education modules can be completed in your own time. If you get interrupted, you can save your place and come back later.
Each knowledge test is timed and must be completed within the specified time period (15 – 20 minutes). Make sure you are in a quiet space, free from distractions, to ensure you can complete your knowledge test without interruptions.
The pass mark for the knowledge tests (excluding the Waterfowl Identification Test) is 75%.
There is no limit to how many times an applicant can complete the education modules and take the associated knowledge test. The education module will need to be repeated prior to retaking the knowledge test.
To retake a knowledge test, you will need to re-enrol in the education module.
There is no cost associated with completing the education modules and knowledge tests. However, there is a cost for undertaking the Waterfowl Identification Test.
There are no questions that must be answered correctly in the knowledge tests. All questions are weighted equally. An overall score of 75% or higher is required to pass the knowledge tests.
If you have previously passed the Waterfowl Identification Test, you do not need to repeat the WIT upon reapplication of your gamebird licence.
Page last updated: 15 Feb 2025