Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT)
The NSW Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) assesses your ability to identify certain game and non-game waterfowl species in flight. You must pass the WIT before you are eligible to participate in the NSW Native Game Bird Management Program (the Program).
The Program allows licensed volunteer hunters to assist landholders to manage the impacts of native game birds on their agricultural lands.
Why complete the NSW WIT?
The NSW WIT is a standalone package based on the original face-to-face WIT. The assessment is open to residents of all Australian states as well as international hunters seeking to hunt waterfowl in Australia.
All grade levels can be endorsed to allow hunting in different states. However, other states may have additional training requirements. Make sure you know the rules that apply in the state you wish to hunt.
Fee
The NSW WIT is $50.00 AUD per attempt.
The fee is payable each time you register and is not refundable if you fail to complete or do not pass the test.
The fee is waived for primary producers in NSW, provided they hold a current Native Game Bird Management (Owner/Occupier) Licence. The fee waiver also applies to members of the licensed landholder's household and their employees.
If you are a licensed landholder, please email gamebirds@dpird.nsw.gov.au for more information about completing the WIT.
Preparing for the test
You should only attempt the WIT once you have studied the material and feel confident in your ability to distinguish between all game and non-game waterfowl species in flight.
Review and study these resources before attempting the WIT:
- Watch Duck WISE - You must be familiar with the first section covering waterfowl identification before attempting the test.
- Try the practice test - The Victorian Game Management Authority (GMA) has a practice WIT available on their website.
- Take note of the diversity of waterbirds in your local area as these species may appear in the WIT.
If you have not reviewed these resources, we recommend you attempt the test at another time.
If you have language or learning difficulties, please email gamebirds@dpird.nsw.gov.au before attempting the WIT.
Registering to complete the test
The NSW WIT is available to complete on the Hunter LEAP website.
You must provide your contact details, including a valid email address, and attach a current form of photo identification.
There are also several declaration questions to answer before paying the fee and attempting the test.
Completing the test
- The WIT is a timed assessment with 22 randomly selected multiple-choice questions.
- You view a short video of a waterfowl species in flight and then answer a question related to that species.
- Each question is divided into two parts:
- Part A: identify and select the species of waterfowl shown in the clip, from four options
- Part B: select ‘game’ or ‘non-game.
- You have 20 seconds to select your answers after each video has finished playing.
- Each correctly answered question is worth 3 marks.
- You will not receive any marks if you only answer one part correctly.
NSW-T Grade
NSW-T is the minimum grade required to hunt native game birds in NSW.
You will receive a NSW-T grade if you correctly answer at least one Freckled Duck question and obtain a minimum score of 50 points.
Higher grades may qualify you to hunt in other Australian states. The regulations governing game hunting, including legal game species, vary from state to state. Make sure you know the laws of each state or territory that you wish to hunt, obtain the correct licences, and ensure you only take legal game.
| Score | Grade | Hunting states allowed | Additional minimum requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | AA | Vic, SA, NSW & Tas | Correctly identify all non-game birds |
| 57-64 | P | Vic, SA, NSW & Tas | Correctly identify all non-game birds |
| 50 plus | NSW-T | NSW & Tas | Correctly identify at least one Freckled Duck |
| 47 plus | T | Tas only | None |
After the test
DPIRD Hunting will mark your answers and email you the result.
If you have passed the WIT, your email will have an official WIT certificate attached that shows your score and grade.
Please allow up to 10 working days for your marks to be processed.
If you receive an AA or P grade (which qualify you to hunt in Victoria and South Australia), the department will forward your test results to GMA so they can create a user profile in the MyGL system.
Hunting native game birds in NSW
You must hold a NSW General or Restricted Game Hunting Licence (G or R-Licence) that is endorsed for native game bird hunting if you wish to target waterfowl species in NSW. An endorsed licence has 'GB' printed on the rear of the card.
Existing licence holders
If you already hold a NSW G or R-Licence, you can update your licence by emailing your WIT certification to hunting@dpird.nsw.gov.au.
New licence applicants
If you are applying for a licence for the first time, you can apply for either a G (private land only) or R-Licence (public and private land; other training requirements apply). Attach evidence of your WIT certification before submitting your application. If your licence is granted, it will be endorsed for native game bird hunting.
Please allow 20 working days for new game hunting licence applications to be processed, or longer in peak periods. You will receive an interim licence with your licence number and security PIN so you can access the native game bird portal, part of online services. Interim licences are sent by email if you provide a valid email address.
More information
For all WIT related enquiries, contact the DPIRD Hunting Wildlife Management Team at gamebirds@dpird.nsw.gov.au.
