Program Rules

SSAA Farmer Assist Program Rules and Code of Practice

All activities conducted under the SSAA Farmer Assist program must comply with the Program Rules and Code of Practice. These requirements are in place to protect landholders, members, and the integrity of the program, and to ensure activities are carried out safely, ethically and professionally.

Compliance with the Program Rules and Code of Practice is a condition of participation. Any breach may result in corrective action, suspension, or exclusion from the program.

Some of the key components of the Program Rules and Code of Practice are outlined below.

Firearm safety

Participants must always practice safe firearm handling, including:

  • Treat every firearm as loaded.
  • Carry only unloaded firearms into houses, camps, or vehicles.
  • Keep barrels clear of obstructions.
  • Always control muzzle direction.
  • Never point a firearm at anything unintended.
  • Never climb fences/trees with a loaded firearm.
  • Never shoot at hard surfaces or water.
  • Never combine firearms and alcohol/drugs.

Laws, regulations and permits

Participants must:

  • Follow state and federal firearm laws, hunting regulations and landholder instructions.
  • Comply with relevant Codes of Practice, including the National Code of Practice for Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies (non-commercial).
  • Ensure the landholder holds all required destruction/mitigation permits for protected species.

Permission to hunt

  • Access is permitted only with direct landholder approval.
  • Members may only cull in the areas and species approved by the landholder.
  • Access may be revoked at any time at the landholder’s discretion.

Identifying the target

Under no circumstances may a shot be taken unless:

  • The target is clearly identified.
  • The shot poses no risk to people, livestock, infrastructure, or neighbouring properties.

Animal welfare

No unnecessary pain or suffering should be inflicted on any animal being hunted or culled. There is an obligation to achieve a rapid humane death.

Participants must ensure:

  • Every shot aims for a rapid, humane death (head or chest kill zone).
  • Firearm and ammunition are sufficient for the species targeted.
  • Shots are taken only within the firearm’s effective kill range.
  • Dependent young of lactating females are located and humanely euthanised.
  • Wounded animals are immediately followed up and dispatched.