General Guide licence

Apply for a new game hunting licence, renew an existing licence, or read more about applying or renewing online. Make sure you read about the licence you wish to apply for, then use the links below to get started.

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About hunting guides

A hunting guide is a person who accompanies other persons on a hunt for game or feral animals in return for a fee or reward.

In NSW, individuals seeking to be a paid guide for other hunters in their pursuit of game birds on private land, including native game birds under the Native Game Bird Management Program, must first hold a General Guide Game Hunting Licence.

Authority

A NSW General Guide Game Hunting Licence (G-Guide) authorises you to:

  • undertake guided hunting activities for game birds on private land in NSW
  • hunt game birds for personal recreation (standard G-Licence authority).

A G-Guide licence does not entitle you to hunt or guide hunting activities on public land.

Please note, a G-Guide licence is no longer required for guiding others as they target feral deer on private land.


Eligibility

Applicants for a G-Guide licence must:

Special conditions

As Guide licence holders are responsible for not only themselves, but also for their clients (often overseas visitors), additional conditions apply to their activities.

All Guide hunters must abide by special conditions that are in addition to the standard licensing and hunting conditions.

Carry a firearm

On all guided hunts, Guide Licence holders must carry a firearm of appropriate calibre for the animal(s) being hunted, to be able to despatch a game or feral animal if required.

Safari Tour Permit

Before conducting a guided hunt, hunting guides must apply for a Safari Tour Permit from the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry. The permit authorises the possession and use of firearms on organised safari tours in NSW.

Overseas clients should also contact the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry for a permit to authorise their possession and use of a firearm in NSW.

Ensure client compliance

Hunting guides need to ensure that all clients comply with relevant legislation and that they hold a current NSW Game Hunting Licence (General or Restricted) when hunting game birds on private land.

Insurance

When conducting guided hunting activities, guide licence holders are not covered by insurance provided by NSW DPI. Public liability insurance covering guided hunting activities is the licence holder’s responsibility.

However, if hunting recreationally for personal purposes, guide licence holders are covered with $20 million public liability insurance.

Licence fee

Licence term Full rate Concession rate
1 year $175 $117
2 years $340 $227
3 years $500 $335
4 years $645 $430
5 years $780 $523

* The concession rate is only available to pensioners holding an eligible pension card.
** Minor hunters are not eligible to hold a guide licence.

Record keeping

Guide licence holders should always keep a record of their hunting activity to distinguish between private and guide hunting activities for insurance purposes.

Apply now

Use the links above to apply for or renew an G-Guide Licence. If you can't apply online, use the application forms below.

NSW General (Guide) Game Hunting Licence - application/renewal form (PDF, 161.8 KB)

NSW Game Hunting Licence - licence replacement form (PDF, 98.4 KB)

Note: you must download and submit a PDF form to request a replacement licence.

More information

For more information on the NSW General Guide Game Hunting Licence, contact DPI Hunting:

P: 02 6363 7650
E: hunting@dpi.nsw.gov.au