Changes to gamebird licensing conditions

Starting in 2025, the Victorian Government is introducing a stronger focus on education for gamebird hunters to ensure hunting remains sustainable, responsible and safe. This includes changes to gamebird licensing conditions.

Starting in 2025, the Victorian Government is introducing a stronger focus on education for gamebird hunters to ensure hunting remains sustainable, responsible and safe. This includes changes to gamebird licensing conditions.

From 2025 (inclusive), there are important changes to licensing conditions for gamebird hunters.

All new gamebird licence applicants must complete online education modules and knowledge tests, in addition to the existing Waterfowl Identification Test, before being permitted to hunt 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 must complete:

• The Hunting essentials online education module
• The Quail and introduced gamebird hunting online education module.

Each module includes a knowledge test. The online education modules and knowledge tests will be available in MyGL from 17 February 2025.

From 2026, the gamebird licencing conditions will apply to existing and previous gamebird hunters, including anyone renewing or reapplying for a gamebird licence. Existing and previous gamebird hunters do not need to repeat the Waterfowl Identification Test.

Duck hunters will no longer be automatically permitted to hunt quail in Victoria.

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, duck hunters will need to complete the quail education modules. 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 licence. Upon renewal, to hunt duck and quail in Victoria, hunters must complete the Hunting essentials, Duck hunting basics and quail and introduced gamebirds education modules.

Why are these changes being introduced?

Delivering improved hunter education is a key commitmment in the Victorian Government’s Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan 2025 – 2029.

The Victorian Government’s Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan commits to introducing online theory training and testing, covering hunting laws and good hunting practice, before being able to hunt gamebirds in Victoria.

The GMA first launched online hunter education modules in 2023, to better equip and prepare hunters for the field. The education modules relevant to gamebird hunting have since been updated in MyGL to reflect important learning requirements, including information about cultural heritage sites. Completing the relevant education modules and associated knowledge tests is now a condition of gamebird licences for all new gamebird hunters from 2025, and for all renewing gamebird hunters from 2026.

The GMA regulates game hunting in Victoria through education, research and enforcement.