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.
Please note: Online applications and renewals cannot be performed on iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). You can still lodge an online application using a non-iOS device or computer.
Commercial hunting or harvesting is hunting for the purpose of selling the meat or any other part of a harvested or captured game animal, usually for human or pet consumption.
In NSW, individuals seeking to hunt feral deer or other game animals for the purpose of selling the meat or carcass must first hold a commercial game hunting licence. There are also licensing and training requirements administered by the NSW Food Authority relating to hygiene, transport and handling of wild animal products.
Commercial hunting licence requirements in NSW are based on international best-practice, ensuring high standards and consistency in harvests to increase public confidence in the sale of wild game meat.
A NSW Restricted Commercial Game Hunting Licence (R-Commercial) authorises you to:
Information on other legal requirements relating to the sale of wild game meat is available from the NSW Food Authority.
In NSW, kangaroos may only be harvested under a Commercial Fauna Harvester Licence issued by the NSW Environment and Heritage. Fauna licensing is in addition to commercial licensing if you seek to target both kangaroos and deer or other game animals.
Applicants for an R-Commercial licence must:
You must apply to the land manager for permission to commercially harvest before lodging an application with NSW DPI.
In most cases this will be the Forestry Corporation of NSW, however you must apply directly to the land manager for some Crown land areas. Contact the Game Licensing Unit on 02 6363 7650 for more information on the area you wish to hunt.
A vehicle identification sticker is supplied with an R-commercial licence and must be displayed on your vehicle at all times.
This is a mandatory requirement that assists with identification of commercial activities as well as enforcement.
All commercial hunters must purchase deer tags from NSW Department of Primary Industries before harvesting any deer. The fee is $1 per tag.
Tags must be attached to all species of deer immediately after commercial harvesting. It is illegal to have a harvested deer in your possession that is not displaying a tag.
You will be provided with quarterly harvest return forms that must be promptly returned when due. Returns must include details of the harvested animals, the location you harvested them from, and details of the person or organisation you sold the harvested animals to.
You must always keep a copy of any submitted form.
Commercial game hunting licence holders are exempt from regulations applying to the use of spotlights and electronic devices (such as night vision enhancement eyewear), hunting from vehicles and deer seasons. However, these regulations are currently suspended for all Game Hunting Licence holders on all lands across NSW.
Once you have become a member of an AHO and completed the accreditation requirements you need to apply to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Use the links at the top of the page to either apply online or submit an application form.
Your application must contain:
Applications not containing all the required information will be returned to the applicant.
Licence term | Full rate | Concession rate |
---|---|---|
1 year | $300 | $200 |
2 years | $550 | $367 |
3 years | $775 | $517 |
4 years | $1000 | $666 |
5 years | $1200 | $800 |
The concession rate is only available to pensioners holding an eligible pension card. Minor hunters are not eligible to hold a commercial licence.
Commercial game hunting licences do not include public liability insurance cover. Any insurance is the responsibility of the licence holder.
If you are using your licence for the purposes of private (standard) hunting, your licence includes $25 million public liability cover. You should keep a record of your paid and private hunting to satisfy the insurer should you make a claim.
If you are paying by credit card, use the links above to apply or renew online. If you are paying by cheque or money order, use the application forms below.
NSW Restricted (Commercial) Game Hunting Licence - application/renewal form (PDF, 126.25 KB)
NSW Game Hunting Licence - licence replacement form (PDF, 104.41 KB)
NSW (Commercial) Game Hunting Licence - deer tag application form (PDF, 145 KB)