Trapping Legislation by State

[Templar]

For those interested in Trapping...

State Trapping Legislation.

Check to see what traps you can legally use in your state before purchasing

Queensland

Leg Hold Traps and Modified (Restraint only) snares.
Legislation: Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
New South Wales

Padded-jaw traps are permitted - Jake trap, Victor Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2, Duke Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2.
Legislation: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 s 23.
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.
Victoria

Legislation: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regs.2008
Rubber jaws only on all traps.
For rabbits - Victor Soft Catch #1
For Foxes - Victor Soft Catch #1.5, Duke Soft Catch #1.5, Victor Soft Catch #3, Duke Soft Catch #3, Jake Trap
For Wild Dogs - Victor Soft Catch #3, Duke Soft Catch #3, MB650 Rubber Jaw (requires a shock spring and swivel to be added to chain), and Jake Trap
South Australia

Small steel-jaw traps are prohibited. Large steel-jaw traps are prohibited in most areas except for wild dog control along the dingo fence and for research purposes. The large steel-jaw traps are required to be bound with cloth soaked strychnine or modified.
Legislation: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985
Tasmania

No traps permitted.
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1993
Leg-hold traps and snares are prohibited.
Northern Territory

Padded-jaw traps are permitted - Jake trap, Victor Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2, Duke Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2.
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1999
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.
Western Australia

All traps listed on this site are permitted.
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 2002
Steel-jaw traps are permitted for wild dog control. The jaws must be bound with cloth soaked in strychnine. Only padded steel jawed traps are permitted for fox control and use in research programs. Permits are required to set traps in metropolitan areas. Neck snares are illegial.
ACT

Padded-jaw traps are permitted - Jake trap, Victor Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2, Duke Soft Catch #3 & #1 1/2.
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1992, Code of Practice for the Humane Control of the Fox.
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.

Source: http://www.trapping.com.au/StateLeg.php

 

[BOD]

So leg snares are legal in WA?

 

[Templar]

Seems like it...

 

[downunderrunner]

so, in an effort to prevent cruelty to animals, TPTB have enshrined in law only traps that cause cruelty? only traps that can be used it looks like to me are soft jaws, that lead to animals wringing their limbs off after they've gone numb, leading to a crippled animal bleeding to death, great move government! i'll stick to my snares and conibears thanks

 

[auscraft]

Here is a little more info but please check all State laws yourself by contacting the appropriate departments and ask questions I will add more info shortly
South Australia

http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/legis/sa/num_reg/pocta2acvr2005145o2005768/s4.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=leg%20hold
Small steel-jaw traps are prohibited. Large steel-jaw traps are prohibited in
most areas except for wild dog control along the dingo fence and for research
purposes. The large steel-jaw traps are required to be bound with cloth soaked
strychnine or modified.
Legislation: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985
http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/ANIMAL%20WELFARE%20ACT%201985/2000.01.31_(1994.12.01)/1985.106.PDF


​

New South Wales

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/vertebrate-pests/legislation

Padded-jaw traps are permitted
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.​

Victoria

Rubber jaws only on all traps.

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-animals/leghold-trap

​

Queensland

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/A/AnimalCaPrA01.pdf

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/documents/Biosecurity_EnvironmentalPests/IPA-Wild-Dog-Fact-Sheet-Animal-Welfare.pdf

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/documents/Biosecurity_EnvironmentalPests/IPA-Wild-Dog-Fact-Sheet-Trapping.pdf

Steel Jawed traps permitted
Legislation: Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.


Tasmania

No traps permitted.
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1993
Leg-hold traps and snares are prohibited.

12. Traps
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person
must not set, lay or place a leghold trap, glueboard trap or snare.
Penalty:
Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
(2) A person may apply to the Minister for an exemption to use a
leghold trap, glueboard trap or snare.
(3) The Minister, in granting an exemption, may impose any condition the Minister considers appropriate.
(4) This section does not apply to –
(a) the use of a mist net by a person who holds a permit to use a mist
net granted under the Nature Conservation Act
2002; or
(b) a gillnet used in accordance with any regulations or rules made
under the Living Marine Resources Management Act
1995; or
(c) a box trap, cage trap, mousetrap and other similar devices.
(5) The Minister may delegate the powers under this section to the
Secretary.
(6) In this section –
"glueboard trap" means a device that uses an adhesive substance to
entrap an animal.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/awa1993128/


Northern Territory

Padded-jaw traps are permitted
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1999
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/awa128/


Western Australia

Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 2002
Steel-jaw traps are permitted for wild dog control. The jaws must be bound
with cloth soaked in strychnine. Only padded steel jawed traps are permitted
for fox control and use in research programs. Permits are required to set traps
in metropolitan areas.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/awa2002128/

​

Australian Capital Territory

Padded-jaw traps are permitted
Legislation: Animal Welfare Act 1992, Code of Practice for the Humane Control of the Fox.
Use of steel-jaw traps is prohibited.
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1992-45/di.asp

 

[auscraft]

I will add only two states allow the use of snares One as a foot hold and the other state modified snares only. These are not just picture frame wire either they have added hardware to prevent cruelty to animals. There is also other very important laws to follow and that is your responsibility to targeting specific animals and what you need to do in the event of non targeted animals being caught. And may I also add No Native wildlife is to be targeted, trapped or hunted in your efforts the above laws tell you your responsibilities.

You will also notice primitive traps are not included in any state for trapping to catch animals. And it is illegal to release any declared animals once trapped

 

[auscraft]

A little more that is also required to take into consideration other than just State laws.
There are federal and local laws as well that pertain to trapping.
it is each individuals responsibility to be aware of each