Why Continue Your Development?

Professional pest animal management is about much more than being a good shooter.

The best operators understand:

• Wildlife ecology
• Animal behaviour
• Humane destruction techniques
• Firearm safety
• Biosecurity
• Working safely on farms
• Client communication
• Business professionalism
• Relevant legislation and permits
• Ethical decision making

These are the qualities that build confidence with landholders and contribute to successful long-term pest management outcomes.

Farmer Assist – Your Starting Point

Farmer Assist provides an excellent foundation by helping volunteers gain practical experience while working with landholders under a structured and accountable program.

Through Farmer Assist you’ll develop experience in:

• Working with rural landholders
• Planning pest management activities
• Safe firearm handling
• Biosecurity practices
• Property access and communication
• Recording activities through the SSAA Activity Log
• Delivering professional service standards

These experiences help prepare volunteers for more advanced opportunities.

Take the Next Step

If you’re passionate about pest animal management and would like to continue developing your skills, consider expanding your knowledge through recognised training and industry organisations.

Many experienced volunteers choose to further their development by undertaking formal training such as:

• AHCPMG304 – Use Firearms to Humanely Destroy Animals
• Wildlife management and ecology courses
• Biosecurity training
• First aid qualifications
• Thermal and night hunting techniques
• GPS and mapping skills
• Vehicle and ATV safety training

Every new skill improves your capability and increases the value you can offer landholders.

Learn from the Professionals

The Vertebrate Pest Managers Australia (VPMA) is Australia’s peak industry body representing professional vertebrate pest managers.

VPMA promotes:

• Professional standards
• Best-practice pest management
• Ethical and humane animal control
• Industry training
• Networking opportunities
• Ongoing professional development
• Advocacy for the pest management profession

Even if you are not planning to become a contractor, the information and resources available through VPMA can help you become a more knowledgeable and effective volunteer.

Learn more by visiting the VPMA website.

Volunteers and Professionals Both Have a Role

Farmer Assist recognises that both volunteer and professional pest animal managers play important roles in supporting Australian agriculture.

Some landholders require the services of professional contractors, while others are well suited to assistance from accredited volunteers through Farmer Assist.

These approaches are complementary rather than competing. Together they provide landholders with a wider range of options to manage pest animal impacts.

Be Professional — Whatever Your Role

Being professional isn’t determined by whether you’re paid.

It is demonstrated by how you conduct yourself.

Professional volunteers:

• Arrive when they say they will.
• Communicate clearly with landholders.
• Respect property rules and livestock.
• Follow biosecurity requirements.
• Practise safe and humane pest animal management.
• Record their activities accurately.
• Continue learning and improving their skills.
• Leave a positive impression that reflects well on all hunters.

These are the qualities that landholders remember and value.

Keep Learning

No matter where you are in your hunting journey, there is always something new to learn.

Farmer Assist encourages members to continually improve their skills, expand their knowledge and embrace opportunities for professional development.

Whether your goal is simply to become a better volunteer or to pursue a career in professional pest animal management, every step you take benefits both you and the landholders you assist.

Because great pest animal managers are always learning.