Australia NSW Native Animal Kill Permits Surge 75% in 2025
A significant surge in New South Wales government licenses to destroy native wildlife has sparked a public inquiry at Parliament House. Data from Humane World for Animals Australia reveals that permits to kill kangaroos and wallabies rose by 75% in 2025, while licenses for emus more than tripled.
Harry Taruva 
Sydney - Licences issued by the New South Wales government to destroy native wildlife increased sharply in 2025, with permits for some species more than tripling, according to figures released by an animal welfare group on Monday.
The data, published by Humane World for Animals Australia, showed that 443,115 kangaroos and wallabies were permitted to be killed last year, representing a 75% increase over 2024 levels.
The figures were released as the NSW Legislative Council Animal Welfare Committee began a public inquiry into the state’s licence to harm system at Parliament House in Sydney.
The advocacy group, formerly known as Humane Society International Australia, led the morning’s testimony. Dr. Renae Charalambous, the group’s Wildlife Policy Program Manager, was joined by Campaign Director Ms. Nicola Beynon and Programs Director Mr. Evan Quartermain to present evidence to the committee at 9:00 am.
"What we’re seeing here is a licencing system that is out of control," Dr. Charalambous said in a statement.
"The exponential increase points to an unconstrained system desperately needing increased regulation," she said.
The state’s licensing data showed a significant rise in authorizations for several protected species.
Kangaroos licences for eastern grey kangaroos rose from 157,246 in 2023 to 355,462 in 2025, permits to destroy emus more than tripled year-on-year to 6,640.
Authorisations were granted for 35,605 native birds, including galahs and sulphur-crested cockatoos.
The inquiry is scheduled to hear from a broad range of stakeholders throughout the day, including the Australian Wild Game Industry Council, RSPCA NSW, and the National Parks Association of NSW.
Testimony is also expected from indigenous representatives from Back to Country and several wildlife rescue organizations.
"I’m sure that the people of NSW would be appalled to know about the devastating number of native animals that their elected government is allowing to be killed across the state every day," Charalambous said.
The proceedings will conclude in the afternoon with evidence from NSW Government officials, including Chief Regulatory Officer Mr. Adam Gilligan and National Parks and Wildlife Service Director Mr. David Crust.
