1080 in Tasmania

An overview of 1080 in Tasmania.

Frequently asked questions

  • Temporarily.

    Tasmania became the first Australian state or territory to use of 1080 poison the early 1950s to kill rabbits. By 1995, there were reports that a population of bettongs was “completely wiped out by a single 1080 baiting operation”.

    In response to public opposition to the continued use of 1080 poison in Tasmania, the Labor-Greens State Government adopted a plan to reduce its use in 2001 and completely phase it out by 2015.

    In 2014, Tasmania’s new Liberal government backflipped on the ban.

  • The species targeted with 1080 poison in Tasmania are brush-tailed possums, Bennett’s wallabies and pademelons.

    Tasmania is the only state in Australia that explicitly targets these species with 1080 poison. They are killed with 1080 to protect horticultural crops and forestry plantations from damage under “property protection permits”.

    Though these are the target species, many others are at risk when 1080 poison is used. The use of 1080 poison to kill browsing mammals results in a temporary “knockdown” effect, and sometimes kills non-target animals, with surveys showing that baiting does not reduce the populations of target animals.

    You can learn more about non-target risks and secondary poisoning in the Evidence and Glossary sections of this website.

  • Though apples were once used to poison native macropods in Tasmania, they have been replaced by carrots.

    Carrot baits, usually cut into 1cm cubes, are prepared by mixing 1080 solution with the carrot pieces in a cement mixer or tub. The baits are then laid by hand.

  • Landholders in Tasmania can apply for a permit under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 to use 1080 poison to kill brushtail possums, Bennett’s wallabies and pademelons. Applicants must demonstrate that other methods, such as fencing and shooting, have been “considered and implemented as far as practicable”.

    Permits are issued when an Authorised Officer, who is any officer authorised under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, is satisfied that:

    • there is an unacceptable risk to a crop or pasture

    • the use of 1080 poison does not pose an unacceptable risk to non-target species

    • alternative control methods have been considered and implemented “as far as practicable” and have been “judged to be ineffective”.

    Though the Code of Practice states that an Authorised Officer “may undertake an on-site inspection to assess and document the evidence required for the issuing of a permit to use 1080 poison”, they only undertake these on a minimum of 10% of all applications.

    The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment has committed to “ensuring the provision of a 1080 poison service”, which mixes 1080 with bait materials, within 15 working days of receiving a request from a landholder with a permit.

  • General requirements

    If a person applies for and obtains a permit to use 1080 poison to kill brushtail possums, Bennett’s wallabies or pademelons in Tasmania, they must adhere to a number of conditions.

    The Natural and Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment evaluates applications. It has committed to issuing approved applications within 2 days of receiving them unless an “on-site inspection” is considered necessary.

    The regulation and supervision of 1080 poison is undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania whose officers provide information and advice to users. They are also responsible for maintaining records of the amount and location where 1080 has been used.

    Distance requirements

    1080 baits must not be laid within:

    • 20 metres of the edge of a stream containing permanent running water

    • 5 metres from the boundary of a neighbouring property

    • 5 metres from the edge of a formed road unless public access to the road is denied (a “formed road” is any road which is gravelled or sealed)

    • 200 metres of an occupied house, except with the written consent of the occupant

    • 200 metres of any picnic facility built by a public authority and available for use by the public.

  • Notifying neighbours

    In Tasmania, people with permits to use 1080 poison must give written notification to all landholders within 500 metres of where baits will be laid. This notification must be given in person or by mail at least 4 days prior to 1080 baits being laid.

    Warning signs

    The Police Offences Act 1935 requires landholders where 1080 poison is used to display warning signs on gates and other places advising that 1080 poison has been laid. These signs are to be in an approved format and must be displayed for a minimum of 28 days after the laying of 1080 baits.

    Have you seen a warning sign in Tasmania? Let us know.

  • Baits and poisoned carcasses that are not recovered after the end of a 1080 baiting operation pose threats to dogs, birds and other native wildlife for some time afterwards.

    Despite the known threat of secondary poisoning, collecting untaken baits and toxic carcasses is not a legal requirement.

    Instead, users of 1080 poison in Tasmania must only take “all reasonable measures” to recover and dispose of untaken baits and poisoned carcasses.

  • If you suspect a pet died from 1080 poisoning in Tasmania, visit our step-by-step guide.

    If you need support, please contact us.

  • The relevant contact details are provided below.

    Simply click the email link to send an email opposing the use of 1080 today.

Laws, regulations and other instruments