Frequently Asked Questions

For farmers

• What is the SSAA Farmer Assist program?

  SSAA National has developed this program to enable our members to help farmers with wildlife management. It provides hunting opportunities for our members and helps farmers concentrate on other important activities on their properties.

• As a farmer, what do I need to do to be part of the SSAA Farmer Assist program?

  Firstly, you will need access to the internet and an email address to register. Once registered, you can login and create a job ad that gets displayed on the Jobs Board. From this point, you only need to monitor and review applications, and then suspend the job once you have enough applicants to talk to. The Farmers Quick Guide provides all the information you require to be able to use the program.

• What is the practical shooting assessment that SSAA members need to complete to qualify?

  The practical assessment was designed to demonstrate a skill level compatible with what is required for ‘professional’ shooter accreditation (ie, commercial macropod harvesting). The task involves shooting the SSAA Farmer Assist Assessment Target at a supervised SSAA range and having it signed by a SSAA range officer. The target can be shot with either a centrefire or rimfire rifle. Members will need to be able to group five shots within the central assessment area of the target.

• Who has control of SSAA member/s on my property?

  You have total control over who you invite onto your property to undertake pest control activities. You can change or withdraw permission of access at any time. You can place whatever conditions you like on those who you invite onto your property. SSAA National takes breaches of our Code of Practice seriously and will discipline any member found to be operating outside the spirit and guidelines of the program.

• How many SSAA members can I utilise for pest control work?

  The program is designed to be flexible and allow farmers access to a database of accredited SSAA members who are ready and eager to help. The number of members you can contact and discuss your needs with is entirely up to you, we set no limits. For example, if your property is a considerable distance from major population centres such as a capital city, you could enlist 12 individual members to each visit your property for a single week-long trip at different times during the year. This would allow you to schedule a different or ongoing control activity each month without having to rely on the availability of one member each time, while still getting the pest control capacity you need.

• Will SSAA Farmer Assist cost me money?

  No, the SSAA Farmer Assist program is a free, no-cost service to farmers. When our members attend your property, they are volunteers and do not expect payment for their services.

• What should I do if I have forgotten my password or username?

  Go to the SSAA Farmer Assist login page. Click on the ‘Lost your password’ link and then enter your registered email address. You will receive an email allowing you to create a new password. Clicking on a link provided. You will be asked to enter a new password and to confirm it. That will be your new password from that time.

• Why is SSAA Farmer Assist only set up as an online program?

  SSAA National has developed the program to be run and managed through the online interface to keep the costs of the program to a minimum. This program is a free service that is an extra benefit of holding a SSAA membership. You will need access to the internet and have a current email address to be able to register and participate in this program.

For members

• What is the SSAA Farmer Assist program?

  SSAA National has developed this program to enable our members to help farmers with wildlife management. It provides hunting opportunities for our members and helps farmers address pest animal issues so they can concentrate on other important activities on their properties.

• As a SSAA member, what do I need to do to be part of the SSAA Farmer Assist program?

  Firstly, you need to have and maintain your SSAA membership. You will need access to the internet and an email address to be able to complete the sign-up process. You will need to undertake the practical shooting assessment at a SSAA range. You will need to commit to and obey the safety, animal welfare and ethical hunting requirements of the program.

• Why can’t I apply for interstate jobs?

  At this present time it has been decided that members can only apply for jobs in their home state due to various management and compliance reasons. The one exception is that ACT members can apply for jobs within NSW due to an agreement between those states.

• When do farmers post jobs?

  We do not have control on the timing when farmers register for the program or when they post jobs. When they do, jobs are automatically uploaded onto the Jobs Board in real time.

• What is the practical assessment task?

  The practical assessment task involves shooting the SSAA Farmer Assist Assessment Target and having it signed off by a range officer at a SSAA range. The target can be shot with either a centrefire or rimfire rifle. You will need to be able to group five shots within the central black assessment area of the target. This assessment displays a skill level compatible with what is required for ‘professional’ shooter accreditation (ie, commercial macropod harvesting).

• Do I need to shoot both rimfire and centrefire rifles for the assessment?

  No, you only need to shoot one Assessment Target. You may decide to shoot both a rimfire or centrefire target depending on what firearms you own and what facilities are available at your SSAA range. If you want to upload two targets to your profile, you will need to create a two-page PDF document with both targets and upload that as a PDF file. If you are wanting to undertake activities with centrefire rifles it is best to do the assessment with that type of firearm

• I have shot the Assessment Target and have had it signed off. What do I do with it?

  You must upload an electronic copy of the target when you go through the sign-up process. You will be requested to upload a JPG, PDF, PNG or GIF file to the ‘Copy of Assessment Target’ field. Please make sure that the file size does not exceed 2MB or you will receive an error message. You should also keep your original paper target and put it in a safe place. We recommend that you have it laminated and then put it inside your gun safe to protect it. Please remember that farmers have the right to request to see the target to confirm your competency.

• As a CWM member, what can I use as evidence of my membership to complete my registration?

  Because there is no standard national membership card for Conservation & Wildlife Management (CWM) members at the moment, you may upload an electronic copy of any of the following items as evidence of your specific state or territory CWM branch membership: ‘Hunter Accreditation Certification’ card, current CWM branch membership card, or written evidence from your CWM coordinator that indicates your CWM accreditation and membership.

• I receive a ‘Membership Expired’ message when trying to log in but I have recently paid my membership?

  Because the SSAA Farmer Assist system is not linked to the SSAA’s membership database, members need to update their membership expiry date manually. If you do not do this, the system will lock your account once the date in your profile has expired. To unlock your account, simply edit the expiry date currently on your profile to the new date on your membership card.

• What should I do if I have forgotten my password ?

  Go to the SSAA Farmer Assist login page. Click on the ‘Lost your password’ link and then enter your registered email address. You will receive an email allowing you to create a new password. Clicking on a link provided. You will be asked to enter a new password and to confirm it. That will be your new password from that time.

• Why is SSAA Farmer Assist only set up as an online program?

  SSAA National has developed the program to be run and managed through the online interface to keep the costs of the program to a minimum. This program is a free service that is an extra benefit of holding a SSAA membership. You will need access to the internet and have a current email address to be able to register and participate in this program.

• Do I need to carry any paperwork while conducting activities?

  You should always carry your firearms licence, hunting permit (if applicable) and any other documentation required while conducting activities. If you are undertaking activities under a pest mitigation or damage mitigation permit, you should carry a copy of that document to show that you are acting as an agent on behalf of the farmer. Having this information on your person or in a vehicle will prevent an embarrassing situation, should your permission to enter the property or conduct activities be questioned by a third party.

• Why am I not receiving job alerts or other system notifications?

  If you use a Hotmail account as your email then this is probably the problem. Hotmail has been problematic in terms of blocking the delivery of our bulk email alerts and other notifications. We recommend using another email provider to solve this problem. Sometimes other email providers block our email so it would be a good idea to ensure ‘[email protected]’ is listed as a ‘safe sender’ in your email account settings to make sure you can receive system emails..