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SSAA Victoria
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria)
Enquiries & Membership
03 8892 2777

SSAA Victoria runs an accreditation course for members selected to take part in the Conservation and Pest Management Program. The CPM program operates under a Memorandum and Understanding with Parks Victoria to assist with the management of pest animals on State-owned land.

The accreditation course, re-written in 2018 and approved by Parks Victoria, is designed to train and assess members’ knowledge of shooting and pest control, and their practical skills.

As there is huge interest in the program and there are a limited number of positions available for CPM-accredited volunteers, accreditation courses are run on an as-needs basis.

To apply to join the CPM team, complete the application form. If a position becomes available and your application is successful, you will be contacted.

  • How to become a CPM volunteer
  • CPM Reaccreditation Q&A

How to become a CPM volunteer

Training course are conducted in both metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria. Each prospective CPM volunteer must complete an application form that is to be sent to the SSAA Victoria State Office.

This application form will ask a number of questions of the applicant to assess whether they qualify to become a CPM Volunteer. The application form includes:

  • Are you a SSAA member?
  • Do you have hunting experience?
  • Why do you want to become a CPM Volunteer?
  • Endorsement from branch or sub-club

These questions will allow SSAA Victoria to ascertain what hunting experience an individual has had with firearms. The branch or sub-club endorsement is a mandatory requirement.

CPM courses will run on an as-needs basis only. Once an application has been approved by the SSAA Victoria CPM Manager, candidates will be assigned to a course and sent a participant manual. All applicants will need to bring the participant manual to the course. Applicants will also need to bring an appropriate firearm to complete the marksmanship component of the accreditation.

The course runs over one full day (eight hours) with both theoretical and practical components. Throughout the day, each candidate will be assessed and, based on meeting key competences, they will be accredited as a CPM volunteer.

Each CPM volunteer will receive a Procedure Manual and accreditation card after completing the course as proof of their accreditation. The Procedure Manual outlines the expectations of volunteers while engaged in a Parks Victoria-approved program. This accreditation card is to be carried when in the field volunteering as a CPM operator on a SSAA Victoria/Parks Victoria-approved pest control program.

CPM Reaccreditation Q&A

After the introduction of new material and higher shooting standards for CPM programs, SSAA Victoria has been running reaccreditation courses. These involve a practical assessment. All current volunteers will need to hold the appropriate accreditation type for the CPM program/s they wish to be involved in. The accreditation type is printed on current CPM cards.

Q. How do I know if I have the right CPM card?

A. The current CPM cards are green and white and have the accreditation type (CF1, CF2, RF) printed on it.

Q. But I have a letter/blue, white and yellow CPM card. Isn’t that valid?

A. No. You need the green and white card with the accreditation type printed on it.

Q. I don’t have one of those cards. What do I need to do?

A. You can contact the CPM manager cpm@ssaavic.com.au at State Office or speak to your branch co-ordinator. After that you will need to attend a CPM reaccreditation practical assessment which are conducted on an as-needs basis.

Q. But I’ve been shooting with CPM for years. Why do I need to do that?

A. The standard for CPM volunteers has been updated so we need to ensure that all our volunteers meet the requirement. If you don’t then you will be ineligible to participate in CPM programs.

Q. So what’s the practical test I have to do?

A. You will be required to shoot a series of targets from different positions including bench, sitting, kneeling, standing and prone. It typically takes an hour and will be conducted by the CPM and Training and Education assistant managers. You will be informed of the specific requirements for each type of accreditation well in advance of the assessment to enable you to practice, which we encourage.

Q. What accreditation do I get?

A. There are three types: CF1 which enables you to take part in deer control programs, CF2 for larger vermin species not including deer and RF restricts you varmint shooting. You can nominate which type/s you wish to be accredited for and you will be assessed for suitability. Successfully completing CF1 automatically accredits you for CF2, but RF is a separate test.

Q. Is that all I need?

A. You will also need a Section 37 from Parks Victoria. The CPM manager will take care of that for you after you have successfully completed the reaccreditation assessment. You need the Section 37 to carry a firearm on Parks Victoria-controlled land.

Q. OK, so when’s the next course.

A. The CPM manager will notify you of upcoming courses. We are hoping to ensure everyone is properly reaccredited by the end of this year.

 

Additional information

To be reaccredited volunteers must meet the following criteria:

  • Confirmation of involvement in CPM projects.
  • Successful completion of the marksmanship practical assessment (Procedure Manual).
  • Current SSAA Membership.

Information about the reaccreditation assignment and marksmanship assessment is available in the updated Procedure Manual. This will be forwarded to CPM operators prior to the reaccreditation process.

For CPM accredited members who completed their accreditation prior to January 2018, a re-accreditation process is currently being rolled out. All accredited members will be required to re-sit their practical assessment to demonstrate that their marksmanship skills meet the new standards. Members who are affected will be notified with the necessary details.