HOW TO APPLY FOR AN R-LICENCE

The Restricted NSW Game Hunting Licence or R-Licence and written permission are required by law for hunting game and feral animals on declared State forests and Crown Land areas in NSW (this does not include National Parks).
The R-Licence also incorporates the General NSW Game Hunting Licence (G-Licence), required by law for hunting wild deer, ducks and game birds on private land in NSW.

R-Licence categories: Bows, Firearms, Dogs, Black Powder.
R-Licence Types: Standard ($60/yr), Commercial ($250/yr), Hunting Guide ($150/yr) and Overseas Visitors ($100/yr).

Application forms are available from Game Council “Approved Hunting Organisations” (AHOs) and hunters must be accredited for one or more R-Licence category. R-Licence forms can also be downloaded from this website: click here
Game Council NSW administers the NSW Game Hunting Licensing System and is a statutory authority of the NSW Parliament established under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002.

For information on public liability insurance, contact Game Council on (02) 6360 5100.

STEP 1: Meeting R-Licence requirements

There are a number of requirements that must be met before applicants can apply for the R-Licence from Game Council NSW.
Applicants must:

A) Be a member of a Game Council Approved Hunting Organisation (AHO),
and
B) Become accredited for one or more of the R-Licence categories (Bows, Firearms, Dogs or Blackpowder).

APPROVED HUNTING ORGNISATIONS (AHOs)

Game Council NSW has registered close to 100 “Approved Hunting Organisations” who are authorised to offer their members applications and accreditation for the R-Licence. These AHOs are listed on Game Council’s website which is updated regularly or by contacting the Licensing Processing Unit on (02) 6360 5111.

ACCREDITATION

There are three ways of becoming accredited for your R-Licence category/s:
1. Sit a closed book “recognition of prior learning” test, or
2. Complete an accredited training course, or

3. Sit an open book test based on Game Council’s “NSW Hunter Education Handbook”.

Accreditation for your R-Licence category can be carried out by an approved assessor who must be registered with an AHO or by an organisation that offers the accredited training course. Contact your local AHO for further information.

STEP 2: the application process

Application forms for the R-Licence are available from AHOs, however when Step 1 is completed, the form must be submitted to Game Council NSW for approval. To download an R-Licence form, click here

Your R-Licence application form must be accompanied by relevant documentation including a copy of your current Firearms Licence (if applicable), accreditation, concession, and your AHO membership number. If your R-Licence application is approved by the Game Council, you will be issued with a special pin or customer number via post to assist in Step 3, the booking process for hunting on declared public land.

Upgrade fees

Holders of a G-Licence wishing to upgrade to the R-Licence can do so for a $30 fee. This fee will be waived for those upgrading G-Licences purchased before March 1, 2006.
(Note: G-Licence application forms can be downloaded from Game Council’s website)

STEP 3: hunting on declared public land

Obtaining written permission

Hunting on declared public land areas cannot take place without written permission. When you have received your R-Licence, you must book your hunt through Game Council NSW. This can be done using the internet or by phoning the Game Council.

When making a booking, you must quote your customer number (which acts as a pin number) as well as your R-Licence number. Special forms will be available for group bookings.

The booking system has been put in place to maximise public safety and hunter accountability. The written permission will have conditions applying to hunting on the State forest and include a map of the area.

The hunt

While hunting on declared public land you must:
► Carry your written permission including a forest map, R-Licence and Firearms Licence (if applicable);
► Wear an article of blaze orange clothing while hunting;
► Abide by all conditions of the written permission, the hunter code of practice and the Game and Feral Animal Control Act, its associated Regulation of 2004 and all other legislation.

Return forms

Further bookings to hunt on public land cannot be made until your hunter return form is submitted back to the Game Council via email, post, fax or phone.

[url=http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/docs/Jan07%20AccredLicence%20process.pdf]Click here to download this guide
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GO TO THIS LINK FOR LINKS FROM THE TEXT ABOVE - http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/portal.asp?p=R-LicenceHowTo