SYDNEY (July 28, 2026)—Humane World for Animals Australia has welcomed the findings of a New South Wales Animal Welfare Committee inquiry into the licensed killing of native animals in the state, which has recommended significant changes to the way permits for lethal control of protected native wildlife are handed out.
The findings provide a foundation for long-overdue reform of the state's wildlife management system, which permitted the killing of 485,668 native animals in 2025 alone.
In the report, the Committee found that “the current licence to harm system is out of date and should be reviewed and updated”. The document also outlined that:
- Non-lethal management of animals should be prioritised, with lethal control considered only where non-lethal options are not reasonably possible or have proven ineffective.
- Applicants should be required to demonstrate evidence of damage caused by the animal before a licence to harm is granted.
- Steps should be taken to strengthen licence reporting, including a public register that includes the number of animals actually killed, as well as why the licence was approved and with what methods.
- Compliance monitoring should be improved including conducting proactive inspections, stronger auditing of licence returns and investigations into non-compliance.
- The NSW Government fund research and education around non-lethal alternatives to killing wildlife, with grants provided to landholders for non-lethal alternatives.
Dr Renae Charalambous, Wildlife Program Manager at Humane World for Animals Australia said many of the reforms the charity advocated for throughout the inquiry process have been reflected in the Committee's recommendations. Humane World for Animals Australia is now calling on the NSW Government to swiftly implement the Committee's recommendations through reforms to the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and associated regulations:
"These findings demonstrate broad recognition that the current system is not fit for purpose and that significant reform is needed," said Dr Charalambous.
"New South Wales currently operates a system that allows protected native animals to be killed without applicants being legally required to provide evidence that lethal control is necessary or that non-lethal options have been attempted first.
"Our investigations have revealed a framework characterised by weak safeguards, limited oversight and insufficient transparency."
In 2025 alone, 485,668 native animals were authorised to be killed in New South Wales, including kangaroos, wombats, possums, galahs and welcome swallows.
"The committee's findings provide further evidence that the New South Wales Government must act quickly to reform this program of licensed native wildlife destruction," said Dr Charalambous.
"While these recommendations are welcomed, it is a shame additional measures were not taken to further reduce reliance on lethal control and strengthen protections for native wildlife.
"In particular, we would have liked to see the removal of permits for species where practical and effective non-lethal alternatives are already well established like wombats, as well as greater safeguards for dependent young, who can face significant welfare impacts when a parent is killed.
"We would also have welcomed requirements for better communication with landholders neighbouring those with permits. Wildlife moves across property boundaries and lethal control on one property can undermine efforts to protect wildlife undertaken by neighbouring properties."
Some functions of these licences have moved under the remit of the new Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator. This gives the NSW Government an opportunity to improve the way licencing decisions are made and ensure better long-term outcomes for biodiversity in NSW.
The inquiry has highlighted growing community expectations that wildlife management be evidence-based, transparent and focused on preventing unnecessary harm to native animals.
"What's now needed is action," Dr Charalambous said. "The Government has promised reforms to the Biodiversity Conservation Act this term and should seize this opportunity to modernise the licensing framework and ensure that lethal control truly becomes a last resort, not a first response."
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About Humane World for Animals
Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly called Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world.
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