Australia's national body for professional hunting standardsThe Marksmen Co →
AUSTRALIAN HUNTING
ASSOCIATION
The Standard Behind Responsible Hunting in Australia
The Australian Hunting Association sets the professional standard for hunters, supports landholders, and advocates for responsible hunting across Australia. AHA certification unlocks your profile on The Marksmen Co.
The Australian Hunting Association is a national body representing hunters and setting the professional standard for pest management operators across Australia.
AHA exists to strengthen the credibility of hunters through advocacy, professional training, shooting proficiency certification, and a published code of conduct. AHA-certified operators are the only hunters visible on The Marksmen Co.
AHA members contribute to:
Professional pest animal management
Land stewardship and agricultural support
National advocacy for responsible hunting
Higher standards of safety and conduct
Landholder confidence in the hunting community
Our Vision
Our Vision
To see hunting recognised as a respected, professional, and responsible activity supported by strong standards, fair representation, and meaningful certification.
Core Principles
Our Values
Professional Conduct
Hunters must act responsibly and professionally at all times.
Respect
For landholders, wildlife, and the broader community.
Accountability
Hunters must take responsibility for their actions and operate to a published standard.
Stewardship
Hunters play a role in caring for the land and supporting agriculture.
AHA Membership
Training, certification, and platform access — all included
AHA membership is a single annual fee that includes everything you need to become a certified pest management operator on The Marksmen Co.
AHA MEMBERSHIP
$198/year inc GST
Access to training courses
Shooting proficiency qualification
AHA certificate number on completion
Profile activation on The Marksmen Co
National advocacy and representation
Assistance obtaining individual public liability insurance
Legislative alerts and industry updates
The Marksmen Co
Your AHA Membership Unlocks Our Free Hunters Network
The Marksmen Co is a free professional pest management platform where AHA-certified operators connect with farmers across Australia. Farmers browse operator profiles, post jobs, and choose who they work with — completely free.
As an AHA member, your certification gives you access to The Marksmen Co platform — where your profile, credentials, and species capability are visible to farmers looking for help with pest pressure on their land.
How it works
1
Join AHA Pay your annual membership. You'll receive your AHA member number immediately.
2
Enter your member number on The Marksmen Co Log into The Marksmen Co portal and enter your AHA member number. This gives you access to the training modules.
3
Complete 6 training modules Work through the Foundation course at your own pace — covering professional conduct, firearms safety, species identification, humane dispatch, law, and community standards.
4
Complete your shooting qualification Demonstrate your shooting proficiency through one of two pathways — a range shoot or a Virtual-Shot dry-fire assessment. Details below.
5
Receive your AHA certificate and go live Once both training and shooting are complete, you receive your AHA certificate number. Your profile on The Marksmen Co goes live and you become visible to farmers across Australia.
Shooting Proficiency
Two Ways to Qualify
5 shots within a 75mm grouping at 100 metres. Choose the pathway that works for you.
Option 1 — Recommended
Range Qualification
Visit any shooting range. Shoot 5 rounds at 100 metres. Photograph your target and upload it through your AHA portal.
Most members choose this option
Option 2 — No range access
Virtual-Shot Qualification
Complete the qualification using a Virtual-Shot dry-fire simulator from home. Purchase the mount, install the free app, and submit your results through your AHA portal.
The Australian Hunting Association advocates for practical, balanced outcomes that support hunters and responsible firearm ownership.
AHA seeks constructive engagement with government, industry, and agricultural stakeholders. Effective advocacy requires professionalism, credibility, and practical solutions — which is why AHA ties advocacy to real standards and certification.
Our advocacy focuses on:
Fair and practical regulation — Working toward balanced policies that protect safety while supporting responsible hunters
Responsible firearm ownership — Promoting safe, legal, and responsible firearm use and storage
Hunting recognition — Ensuring hunting is recognised as a legitimate and valuable activity
Hunter access issues — Supporting responsible access to private and public land
Agricultural pest management — Advocating for hunters' role in supporting farmers with pest control
Professional
Evidence-based advocacy that builds credibility with decision-makers
Constructive
Working collaboratively to find practical solutions for all stakeholders
Balanced
Seeking fair outcomes that balance safety, access, and responsibility
Supporting Landholders
For Landholders
Working With Landholders
Hunters play an important role supporting Australian agriculture through pest animal management and responsible land stewardship.
Every hunter on The Marksmen Co holds a current AHA certificate — meaning they have completed professional training and demonstrated shooting proficiency. AHA-certified operators are accountable to a published standard of conduct.
Our goal is to strengthen trust between hunters and landholders.
What AHA Provides
Why AHA Certification Matters to Landholders
Professional training completed — Every AHA member has passed the Foundation course covering safety, communication, and humane dispatch
Shooting proficiency demonstrated — 5 shots within 75mm at 100m, independently verified
Accountable to a standard — AHA enforces a code of conduct with a complaints process
Visible on The Marksmen Co — Farmers can review operator profiles, credentials, and species capability before making contact
Insurance awareness — AHA encourages and assists members in obtaining individual public liability cover
The future of hunting depends on professionalism and responsible conduct. AHA sets the standard through training, certification, and enforcement.
The AHA Foundation course covers:
Professional identity — What it means to operate as a guest under landholder authority
Communication standards — Confirmatory messages, end-of-visit reports, debrief habits
Firearms safety — Action states, standing orders, drills, and the four clearance questions
Species and humane dispatch — Nine target species with calibre bands and shot placement
Law and liability — Licensing framework, insurance, and AHA standards enforcement
Community standards — Profile quality, the ambassador principle, and reputation
AHA members are expected to uphold these principles in every interaction, on and off the field.
Code of Ethics
Act lawfullyComply with all hunting, firearm, and wildlife management laws
Act responsiblyPrioritise safety, apply the four clearance questions before every shot
Respect propertyTreat landholder property with care and follow all conditions
Dispatch humanelyHead or heart-lung shots only — anything less falls below the standard
Represent hunting positivelyBe an ambassador for responsible hunting in every interaction
A Commitment to Excellence
By setting and enforcing professional standards, AHA is working to ensure hunting is recognised as a respected, responsible, and valuable activity across Australia.
Welcome to AHA
Your membership application has been received. Here's what happens next.
Next Steps
1You'll receive a payment link via email to complete your $198 annual membership
2Once payment clears, you'll receive your AHA member number and access to the Foundation course
3Complete the Foundation course (6 modules) and submit your shooting qualification
4Once approved, you'll receive your AHA certificate number to activate your profile on The Marksmen Co
Join the Standard
AHA membership includes Foundation training, shooting qualification, and certification for The Marksmen Co
