Game Licences to be extended by one year

In recognition of the unprecedented impact the Chief Health Officer’s ‘Stay at Home’ directions have had on Victoria’s game hunters, the expiry date of all current game licences administered by the Game Management Authority will be extended by 12 months, allowing hunters to get full value of their one-or three-year licence fee.

The GMA will implement the extension in due course.

See full media release.

In recognition of the unprecedented impact the Chief Health Officer’s ‘Stay at Home’ directions have had on Victoria’s game hunters, the expiry date of all current game licences administered by the Game Management Authority will be extended by 12 months, allowing hunters to get full value of their one-or three-year licence fee.

The GMA will implement the extension in due course.

See full media release.

Frequently asked questions

The Victorian Government has announced that game licences are being extended by one year, in recognition of the unprecedented impact the Chief Health Officer’s ‘Stay at Home’ Directions are having on game hunting; having already affected the open seasons for hog and sambar deer, stubble quail and gamebirds.

Under the Chief Health Officer’s directions, hunting is not a lawful reason to leave home. These restrictions are in place until 11 May 2020 and will be reviewed at that time. If necessary, further measures may be enacted to protect public health.

We thank hunters for staying home and doing the right thing as we all work together to slow the spread of coronavirus – it’s been challenging and frustrating, but it’s working.

Am I eligible for the licence extension?

Anyone with a valid Victorian Game Licence that was purchased prior to 30 June 2020 (excluding non-resident of Australia Game Licence and Private Game Bird Reserve Game Licence) will receive an automatic twelve-month extension to the expiry date of their licence.

This includes holders that have both a short-term or long-term Game Licence, Junior Licence and Provisional Licence holders.

I am eligible for licence extension; how will my licence be extended? What do I need to do?

You are not required to do anything – this process will occur automatically.

If you’re eligible for a twelve-month licence extension, you will automatically receive a new licence card in the mail during November 2020, with an updated expiry date.

Short-term licence holders with an expiry date of 31 December 2020 will receive an automatic extension until 31 December 2021.

Long-term licence holders will have an additional twelve months added to their licence too.

Why am I not getting a refund?

Refunds are not being issued because licences are not being revoked. All licences will remain current this year, for hunting during applicable open seasons (where and when allowed by directions issued by the Chief Health Officer).

Why are you extending deer licences when deer can be hunted all year round?

A deer licence covers all types of deer hunting, and some types of deer hunting have been severely impacted by the restrictions. It is not practical or equitable to extend only some holders of a particular licence type.

It has not been possible to hunt for Hog Deer at all this year due to the restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, and other deer hunting opportunities, like hound hunting, are also impacted.

All balloted Hog Deer hunting has been cancelled for 2020 and successful applicants have been offered the opportunity to hunt in the same periods during next year’s Hog Deer season.

What if I purchased my Game Licence after 30 June 2020, am I still eligible for an extension?

Hunters who purchase a licence after 30 June in any given year already enjoy a grace period on that licence. For short-term licences purchased after 30 June 2020, the licence won’t expire until 31 December 2021 and for long-term licence applicants, their licence won’t expire until 31 December 2023.