Queensland is one of the most accessible states in Australia for new hunters. There is no separate game hunting licence, no accreditation course, and no cl
How to Start Hunting in Queensland: Licences, Permits and Gear Guide 2026
Queensland is one of the most accessible states in Australia for new hunters. There is no separate game hunting licence, no accreditation course, and no club membership required to hunt feral animals on private land. If you have a firearms licence and written permission from a landowner, you are legally set up to hunt.
That simplicity is both good news and a source of confusion — many new Queensland hunters assume there must be more to it, or they conflate Queensland's rules with the more complex systems in NSW and Victoria. This guide covers everything you need to know about hunting in Queensland legally, safely, and effectively in 2026.
The Queensland System: How It Works
Queensland does not classify any species as "game" available for open season recreational hunting in the way Victoria does with deer or duck seasons. Instead, the state has a long list of pest species — feral animals that can be taken at any time on private land with the landowner's permission and a firearms licence. No additional hunting permit is required for private land pest control.
This makes Queensland excellent for pig hunting, fox shooting, rabbit control, feral goat management, and cat control across the state's vast pastoral country. The sheer size of the available habitat — from the tropical north to the dry Channel Country in the southwest — means there is more huntable land in Queensland than most hunters will ever cover.
Step 1: Get Your Queensland Firearms Licence
Everything starts here. You cannot legally possess or use a firearm in Queensland without a current weapons licence issued by the Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing Group (WLG).
Minimum age: 18 for a full licence. A minor's licence is available from age 11 with parental supervision.
Genuine reason: This is the part that trips up many new Queensland hunters. To obtain a firearms licence for recreational hunting or recreational shooting in Queensland, you must demonstrate a genuine reason. The two most practical routes are:
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Recreational shooting club membership: Join an approved shooting club that is authorised to conduct activities for the firearm category you're applying for. Most hunting clubs qualify. Membership runs $50–$150 per year.
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Written landowner permission: If your genuine reason is recreational shooting on rural land, you need written permission from the landowner of a rural property authorising you to shoot there. This is the route for dedicated property hunters who already have access to private land.
Joining a hunting club is the simpler path for most people starting out — it establishes your genuine reason and often provides access to ranges, mentors, and hunting properties.
Approved clubs include:
- Game Hunters Association of Australia
- Australian Deer Association (Queensland chapter)
- Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA Queensland)
Safety course: Queensland requires completion of the 10618NAT Weapons Act Safety Course before a licence is issued. This is a registered training qualification run by accredited providers (RTOs) across the state. Search "10618NAT RTO Queensland" to find providers in your area. Most courses run half a day and cost $80–$150.
Secure storage: An approved gun safe is required before your licence is granted. The safe must be bolted to a solid wall or floor. Budget $350–$800 for a quality safe.
Licence categories:
- Category A: Air rifles, rimfire rifles (.22 LR, .22 Mag, .17 HMR), shotguns — covers rabbits, foxes, game birds, feral cats
- Category B: Centrefire rifles — required for pigs, deer, and larger feral animals
- Category C/D: Semi-automatic — subject to stricter requirements, generally not needed for standard recreational hunting
Apply for both Cat A and Cat B together if you plan to hunt pigs or larger feral animals. There's no point doing the process twice.
Cost: Approximately $150–$200 for a combined 5-year licence, plus the safety course.
Processing time: Queensland Weapons Licensing can take 6–12 weeks. Start the process well before you want to hunt. The 28-day waiting period for purchasing a firearm begins only after your PTA (Permit to Acquire) is approved, which comes after your licence — so the timeline can stretch to 4–5 months from application to having a rifle in hand.
Step 2: Get Written Landowner Permission
On private land in Queensland, the only thing standing between you and legal hunting (once licensed) is written permission from the landowner. Verbal permission is not sufficient. You must carry the written permission while hunting on that property.
The permission should specify:
- Your full name
- The property name and/or lot on plan number
- The landowner's name and signature
- Date of issue (some hunters renew this annually to avoid questions)
- Species you are permitted to target
Many landowners actively welcome hunters for pest control — feral pigs cause enormous agricultural damage in Queensland, and a licensed hunter reducing pig numbers is providing a genuine service. The best way to get access is direct contact with landholders, through hunting clubs who maintain property relationships, or through services like Inland Hunting Properties that match hunters with properties.
Step 3: Apply for a Permit to Acquire (PTA)
Once you have your firearms licence, you need a Permit to Acquire for each individual firearm you wish to purchase. You cannot walk into a gun shop and buy a rifle without one.
How to apply: Online through the Queensland Police Service WLG portal, or in person at a police station using Form 28. Note — PTAs cannot be lodged at Australia Post outlets.
28-day waiting period: From the date you submit your PTA, there is a mandatory 28-day waiting period before you can take possession of the firearm. Plan your purchase well ahead of hunting season.
Cost: PTA fees increase annually on 1 July. Check the current fee schedule at police.qld.gov.au/units/weapons-licensing.
What Can You Hunt in Queensland?
Feral Pest Species (Private Land, No Additional Permit)
These species can be hunted on private land year-round with a firearms licence and landowner permission:
- Feral pigs — The most popular hunting target in Queensland. Enormous populations across the state, particularly in the Darling Downs, Riverina border country, and tropical north. Highly destructive to agriculture — most landowners are enthusiastic about pig hunters.
- European rabbits — Western and inland Queensland. Good small game shooting for new hunters.
- Red foxes — State-wide, most active at night. Night spotlighting with a .22 or .17 HMR is highly effective.
- Feral goats — Found in large numbers in the mulga country of southwestern Queensland. Some landowners charge a small fee; others welcome free pest control.
- Wild dogs (other than dingo) — On private land with permission.
- Feral cats — Legal to take as pest animals on private land.
- Hares — Similar habitat to rabbits, year-round.
- Feral horses and donkeys — On properties experiencing damage, with landowner permission and appropriate firearms.
- Camels and feral cattle — In remote western Queensland. Require appropriate heavy calibres (.308 Win minimum for cattle; .375 H&H recommended for large bovids).
Deer in Queensland
Queensland has populations of chital (axis) deer in central Queensland — particularly around Charters Towers and the central highlands — and smaller numbers of fallow and rusa deer further south. Under Queensland law, deer are classified as pests on private land, meaning they can be taken at any time with landowner permission and a firearms licence. No open season restrictions apply. This is a significant advantage over Victoria and NSW where deer seasons and quotas apply.
The chital is a medium-sized deer well-suited to .243 Win through .308 Win. Populations in some areas are substantial, and landholders dealing with crop damage welcome ethical hunters.
Queensland-Specific Regulations to Know
Native wildlife: All native species are protected under the Nature Conservation Act. You cannot shoot kangaroos, wallabies, native birds, or any other native wildlife without a specific permit (such as a damage mitigation permit for agricultural properties). This is seriously enforced — substantial fines and potential firearms licence cancellation.
Night hunting: Night spotlighting for pigs, foxes, and rabbits is legal on private land in Queensland with landowner permission. No additional permit is required.
Dog-assisted pig hunting: Catching pigs with dogs is a separate activity governed by animal welfare legislation. If you plan to use catch dogs, ensure you're across the Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act requirements.
Public land: Unlike NSW and Victoria, Queensland has very limited public land hunting for recreational hunters. State forests are not generally open to recreational hunters without specific arrangements. Most Queensland hunting occurs on private pastoral land.
Firearms transport: All firearms must be unloaded and stored in a locked container or case when being transported in a vehicle. Ammunition must be stored separately.
Gear Guide: Queensland Conditions
Queensland hunting conditions differ significantly from Victoria and NSW. The north is tropical — hot, humid, with dense scrub and frequent wet seasons. The central and western regions are dry, dusty, and vast. Gear choices should reflect your region.
For Pig Hunting (Queensland's Signature Hunt)
Rifle: Pigs are tough animals. A .308 Win, .30-06, or 7mm Rem Mag handles Queensland boars at most ranges. For scrub work where shots are close and fast, many Queensland hunters use .223 Rem or .22-250 for the flat trajectory and light recoil, though these are at the lighter end for big boars. The Howa 1500 .308 is a popular choice — accurate, reliable, and available at BCF and most gun shops. Budget $800–$1,400.
Scope: A 1-4x or 2-7x variable scope is ideal for Queensland scrub hunting where shots are typically under 150 metres. Check rifle scopes on Amazon AU
Spotlights and thermal: Night pig hunting is where the real numbers happen. A quality 100,000+ candlepower rechargeable spotlight is the standard starting point. If budget allows, a thermal monocular transforms night hunting productivity — you'll find pigs at distances and in cover that a spotlight can't penetrate. Check spotlights on Amazon AU
Boots: Queensland scrub is hard on footwear. A leather or synthetic boot with good ankle support and snake protection is essential. Many Queensland hunters opt for a heavy-duty elastic-sided boot for ease of removal in the heat. Check hunting boots on BCF
Clothing: Lightweight, breathable fabrics are critical in Queensland heat. Long sleeves protect against scratches in scrub and reduce sun exposure. Olive or khaki tones work well — full camo is not necessary for pig hunting.
Knife: A fixed-blade knife for field dressing is a must. Queensland pigs are often butchered on the spot for the table or left for the property's working dogs. Check hunting knives on Amazon AU
4WD setup: Most Queensland pig hunting involves significant driving on station tracks. A reliable 4WD with a spotlight bar, spotties front and rear, and a cargo setup for dogs and gear is the classic Queensland rig. Check 4WD accessories on Amazon AU
For Fox and Rabbit Shooting
Rimfire rifle: A .22 LR handles rabbits within 80 metres effectively. For foxes, a .17 HMR or .22 WMR extends your ethical range to 150+ metres with good accuracy. Check rimfire rifles on Amazon AU
Ear protection: Essential for any shooting session. Suppressors are legal in Queensland for licensed firearms holders — check with your local dealer.
Timeline: Start to First Queensland Hunt
Queensland is the fastest state in Australia to get set up for hunting, assuming you have landowner access arranged. Here is a realistic timeline:
Week 1–2: Join an approved hunting club ($50–$150). Locate and book a 10618NAT safety course.
Week 3–4: Complete safety course. Submit firearms licence application online.
Week 4–14: Waiting period for licence processing. Source your gun safe and have it installed. Research properties through your club or direct landholder contact.
Week 14–15: Receive firearms licence. Apply for Permit to Acquire for your first rifle.
Week 15–19: 28-day PTA waiting period. Use this time to sight in on a range if you can borrow a suitable rifle, or purchase ammunition and accessories.
Week 19+: Collect rifle. Zero your scope. Arrange first trip with landowner or through your club.
Total time from zero to first hunt: approximately 4–5 months. The firearms licence and 28-day PTA waiting period dominate the timeline — start both as early as possible.
Common Mistakes New Queensland Hunters Make
Assuming no paperwork is needed: Queensland is the most straightforward state but still requires a firearms licence, genuine reason, and landowner permission. Don't assume informal arrangements are sufficient.
Not carrying written landowner permission: Verbal is not sufficient. If a Biosecurity Queensland or police officer encounters you on a property, you need documentation.
Using inappropriate calibres on large boars: A large Queensland boar can exceed 150kg. Shots that would cleanly dispatch a fox or rabbit can wound — not kill — a big pig. Use appropriate calibres and shot placement.
Hunting native wildlife: The penalties are severe. If you're unsure whether an animal is a native species or a feral pest, do not shoot.
Final Checklist for Queensland Hunters
- ✅ Queensland Weapons Licence (carry at all times while hunting)
- ✅ Written landowner permission with property details
- ✅ Appropriate calibre for target species
- ✅ Firearms unloaded and secured during transport
- ✅ First aid kit including snake bite bandages
- ✅ Satellite communication device or PLB for remote properties
- ✅ Sun protection, water supply, and snakebite-aware footwear
Queensland offers some of the most accessible and productive hunting in Australia. The vast pastoral country, huge feral pig populations, and minimal licensing complexity make it an excellent starting point for new hunters — and a regular destination for experienced ones.
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