How quotas are set
To ensure sustainable kangaroo populations, the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) recommends that no more than 10 per cent of Victoria’s kangaroo population should be controlled each year across both the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) and the Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system.
The quota for each harvest zone is set by:
- using the kangaroo population estimates from the most recent kangaroo survey to determine the recommended maximum level of control. In Victoria, we set this at no more than 10 per cent of the population
- estimated level of kangaroo control through ATCW permits and then;
- deducting the estimated ATCWs from the maximum recommended level of take.
The difference between the recommended maximum level of control, and the estimated ATCW levels is assigned to the KHP as quota.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) regularly survey Victoria's kangaroo population and use that information to set annual quotas for the KHP. More information on Victorias kangaroo population surveys can be found at Victorian kangaroo surveys and population estimates.
2025 quota
From 1 January 2025, there will be five Harvest Zones rather than seven zones used in previous years. A further 10 local government areas are now part of the Exclusion Zone where harvesting cannot occur. Also beginning in 2025, the commercial quota is developed for each species in the Harvest Zones where the species overlap. Species overlap occurs in the Loddon Mallee, Grampians and Barwon South West Harvest Zones. This change will be used as a measure to further ensure species sustainability.
More information about these changes can be found in the KHMP 2024-2028.
The table below outlines commercial quota available for each harvest zone. Further information is available in the Quota Reports section below.
| Harvest Zone | Eastern Grey quota | Western Grey quota | Combined Quota |
|---|---|---|---|
Barwon South West | 8,750 | 600 | 9,350 |
Gippsland | 11,900 | 0 | 11,900 |
Grampians | 12,500 | 10,200 | 22,700 |
Hume | 38,100 | 0 | 38,100 |
Loddon Mallee | 24,700 | 0 | 24,700 |
TOTAL | 95,950 | 10,800 | 106,750 |
Where harvesting can take place from 2025-2028
From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028 the Harvest Zones will be adjusted to exclude a further 10 LGAs from the KHP. Harvesters will be able to operate in 48 of Victoria's 79 LGAs, which will be grouped into 5 Harvest Zones across Victoria.
The expansion of the Exclusion Zone has been determined based on:
- the Melbourne urban growth boundary
- comparative levels of harvesting activity and approved control under the ATCW system
- ecological considerations
- existing LGA borders
The map below shows the location of the Harvest Zones.
Harvesting may only occur in the LGAs listed in table 2.
Harvesting is not permitted in LGAs listed in the Exclusion Zone, however, kangaroo control may still be undertaken in these areas with an ATCW permit.
| Barwon South-West | Grampians | Loddon Mallee | Hume | Gippsland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colac Otway | Ararat | Buloke | Alpine | Bass Coast |
| Corangamite | Ballarat | Campaspe | Benalla | Baw Baw |
| Glenelg | Golden Plains | Central Goldfields | Greater Shepparton | East Gippsland |
| Greater Geelong | Hepburn | Gannawarra | Indigo | Latrobe |
| Moyne | Hindmarsh | Greater Bendigo | Mansfield | South Gippsland |
| Southern Grampians | Horsham | Loddon | Mitchell | Wellington |
| Surf Coast | Moorabool | Macedon Ranges | Moira | Yarra Ranges |
| Warrnambool | Northern Grampians | Mildura | Murrindindi | |
| Pyrenees | Mount Alexander | Strathbogie | ||
| West Wimmera | Swan Hill | Towong | ||
| Yarriambiack | Wangaratta | |||
| Wodonga | ||||
| Exclusion Zone (No harvesting, ATCWs only) | ||||
| Banyule | Darebin | Knox | Moonee Valley | Queenscliff |
| Bayside | Frankston | Manningham | Mornington Peninsula | Stonnington |
| Boroondara | French Island | Maribyrnong | Merri-bek | Whitehorse |
| Brimbank | Glen Eira | Maroondah | Nillumbik | Whittlesea |
| Cardinia | Hobsons Bay | Melbourne | Port Phillip | Wyndham |
| Casey | Hume | Melton | Yarra City | |
| Greater Dandenong | Kingston | Monash | ||
September 2024 update
The 2024 commercial quota has been updated as of September 2024.
The final quota release for 2024 is being withheld, reducing the 2024 commercial quota from 142,350 to 111,575.
This change is required due to higher than predicted levels of ATCW permits being applied for and will ensure commercial allocation through the KHP does not contribute to exceeding the recommended total quota of 10 per cent of the estimated kangaroo population.
July 2024 update
DEECA also made changes to the 2024 KHP quota in July. This was based on a revised estimation of the kangaroo populations in Victoria for 2024.
ARI recently developed a new method to estimate the abundance of grey kangaroos in Victoria. This new model allows small areas of non-kangaroo habitat (eg. waterbodies and regional town centres) to be excluded from population estimates.
To ensure the KHP quota is set using the most up to date population modelling available, ARI have undertaken work to revise the current estimated population of grey kangaroos in Victoria. This has led to a small decrease in the 2024 commercial quota from 155,650 to 142,350.
The updated KHP quota for each harvest zone is shown below
| Harvest Zone | Original 2024 Quota | Revised 2024 Quota (July) | Revised 2024 Quota (as of September) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 61,700 | 55,800 | 43,900 |
| Gippsland | 13,700 | 11,850 | 9,375 |
| North East | 8,100 | 6,200 | 5,225 |
| Otway | 15,350 | 13,950 | 11,000 |
| Lower Wimmera | 39,000 | 37,200 | 28,600 |
| Mallee | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Upper Wimmera | 17,800 | 17,350 | 13,475 |
| TOTAL | 155,650 | 142,350 | 111,575 |
Quota reports
Each year ARI prepares Kangaroo Harvest Quotas for Victoria report with recommendations for the following year’s KHP quota. These reports provide information on the science used to calculate quotas.
Quota Determinations may be developed in some years to provide rational to which quota recommendation by ARI is used to set the commercial quota.
ARI reports and other information can be found below.
More information
Landholders can apply to the Conservation Regulator for an ATCW permit to control kangaroos. Unlike the KHP, carcasses in the ATCW system cannot be sold.
If the Conservation Regulator is satisfied that control of the wildlife is necessary, an ATCW permit will be issued for a specified period and for a specified number of animals. Each ATCW specifies the species of wildlife that can be controlled and the method of control that can be used.
To ensure the sustainability of kangaroo populations, DEECA regularly monitor the number of kangaroos taken through both systems and can make adjustments to the program if required.
This could include reducing or suspending the KHP quota or suspension of harvest altogether. Any changes to the quota will be updated on this webpage and harvesters will be notified.
Commercial harvesting of kangaroos is relatively new in Victoria, beginning in October 2019.
To ensure the sustainability of our kangaroo populations and monitor the impact of harvesting, the Victorian Government has deliberately taken a conservative approach to the commercial harvesting of kangaroos. Victoria is committed to ensuring that no more than 10 per cent of our kangaroo population is taken annually across both the ATCW system and the KHP.
Our lower harvest quota reflects the cautious approach we are taking as we gain more insight about how Victoria’s kangaroo populations respond to harvesting.
Page last updated: 18/12/24