About the Review

This project aims to deliver a revised national code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for commercial purposes. The current Code, published in November 2020, will be due for review five years after its adoption. However, if new research or other significant information becomes available, requirements and recommended procedures outlined below may change.

The findings and recommendations from recent scientific research conducted to examine a range of significant issues needs to be incorporated into a new Code to ensure that harvesting is conducted in the most humane manner.

A revised Code will be developed with input from the Project Reference Group and kangaroo harvesters. The final Draft Code will be made available for public comment.

Update: After completion of the process below, an updated version of The National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes (the Code) was released on Wednesday, 18 November 2020.

Process Overview

Step One

The Project Reference Group includes representatives from federal and state governments, the kangaroo industry, RSPCA Australia, the Australian Veterinary Association, the Pastoral Industry and AgriFutures Australia.

For the 2020 review, researchers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) were contracted to manage the consultancy for the review of the Code.

Step Two

Consultant to review existing Code and prepare draft revised version after reviewing the relevant scientific literature and consultation with kangaroo harvesters and the Project Reference Group.

Step Three

The Draft Code will be presented to the Project Reference group for input and comment, with modifications made where required.

Step Four

The final Draft Code will be made publicly available for comment for a period of 28 days. Levels of understanding and approval of the Draft Code will also be measured using a survey of a representative sample of the Australian public.

Step Five

Following the public consultation period, the Consultant and Project Reference Group will consider the feedback, revise the draft where require and prepare a final Code for formatting and publication.

Download the Code

The latest version of the Code (last updated November 2020) can be downloaded for free via the Knowledge Hub.

Print enquiries can be directed to the Program team via .

Please note that if new research or other significant information becomes available before the next review in five years’ time, requirements and recommended procedures outlined above may change.