Acts of Parliament: 1836–2019

The list below of South Australian Acts has been sourced through:

The list is presented in chronological order and includes principal Acts and Acts amending those principal Acts. The purpose of some Acts listed may not be principally about the control of pest animals or weeds, but these have been included as part of the Act related to their control, such as the Crown Lands Act Amendment Act which provided for erection of rabbit-proof and vermin fences.

Other Acts included that require explanation are:

  • the entire Horses Act is included as it provided for “the control of inferior kinds of horses that were likely to cause great injury to the colony”
  • various Dog Acts have been included where they provided for “abating the Nuisance and Damage to Property in the colony”.

Out of interest, a second table of Acts is included listing Acts that were passed, providing for the protection of native and “acclimatised” animals. It is ironic that some introduced animals that were protected under these Acts were shortly after declared pests, requiring landowners to destroy them.

141 Acts to control pest animals and weeds

Year Act Name Description Repealed by
1839 Entire Horses Act An Act to prevent entire horses being suffered to stray or run at large Impounding Act 1858
1851 Scotch Thistle Act An Act for preventing the further spread of the Scotch thistle The Thistle and Bur Act 1862
1852 Dogs Act An Act for abating the nuisance and damage to property occasioned by the great number of dogs which are loose in the province of South Australia The Dog Act 1860
1860 The Dog Act An Act for abating the nuisance and damage to property occasioned by the great number of dogs which are loose in the province of South Australia The Dog Act 1867
1861 Dogs Act An Act to amend "The Dog Act of 1860" The Dog Act 1867
1862 The Thistle and Bur Act An Act for preventing the further spread of the Scotch thistle, Variegated thistle, and Bathurst bur Noxious Weeds Act 1931
1867 The Dog Act An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the registration of dogs and for making further provisions for the prevention of damage done by dogs in South Australia Registration of Dogs Act 1924
1875 Rabbit Destruction Act An Act to provide for the suppression of the rabbit nuisance Rabbit Suppression Act 1879
1878 Rabbit Destruction Act An Act to amend "The Rabbit Destruction Act of 1875" Rabbit Suppression Act 1879
1879 Rabbit Suppression Act An Act to provide for the suppression of rabbits, and to consolidate, alter, and amend the laws relating thereto The Vermin Act 1905
1882 Vermin Destruction Act An Act to provide for the destruction of vermin Vermin Act Repeal Act 1985
1884 Dogs Act An Act to amend "The Dog Act 1867" Registration of Dogs Act 1924
1884 Vermin Destruction Act An Act to make better provision for the destruction of vermin Vermin Act Repeal Act 1985
1885 Vermin Act Repeal Act An Act to repeal "The Vermin Destruction Act, 1882," and "The Vermin Destruction Amendment Act, 1884," and to revive and amend "The Rabbit Suppression Act 1879," and for other purposes The Vermin Act 1905
1887 The Thistle and Bur Act An Act for amending the Act No. 26 of 1862, and for preventing the further spread of the Star thistle Noxious Weeds Act 1931
1887 The Crown Lands Act Amendment Act An Act to amend "The Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1886" (provides for erection of rabbit-proof and vermin fences) Crown Lands Act 1888
1888 Crown Lands Act An Act to repeal "The Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1886," and "The Crown Lands Amendment Act 1887," and to make other provisions in lieu thereof The Pastoral Act 1904
1889 Crown Lands Act An Act to amend "The Crown Lands Act 1888," and for other purposes.(provides for erection of rabbit-proof fences) The Vermin-proof Fencing Act 1890
1889 Sparrow Destruction Act An Act to provide for the destruction of sparrows Local Government Act 1934
1889 Vermin Funds Act An Act to validate and confirm the distribution of certain funds of vermin district no. 26 Statute Law Revision Act 1934
1889 Wild Dogs and Foxes Act An Act to provide for the destruction of wild dogs and foxes The Vermin Act 1905
1890 Vermin-Proof Fencing Act An Act to supply vermin-proof fencing to district councils and others, and for other purposes The Vermin Act 1905
1891 Noxious Weeds Destruction Act An Act to amend the law relating to the destruction of noxious weeds Noxious Weeds Act 1931
1891 Morgan and Nackara Dog-proof Fencing Act An Act to authorise the construction of a dog and other vermin proof fencing from Morgan to Nackara Statute Law Revision Act 1934
1891 Fences Act An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to fences (provides for erection of rabbit-proof and vermin fences) Fences Act 1892
1892 Fences Act An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to fences (provides for erection of rabbit-proof and vermin fences) The Vermin Act 1905  (only vermin provisions)
1893 Pastoral Lands Act An Act relating to pastoral lands (relates to vermin-proof fence and the presence of vermin) The Pastoral Act 1904
1894 Vermin Districts Act An Act relating to vermin The Vermin Act 1905
1895 Vermin Districts Act An Act to amend the laws relating to vermin The Vermin Act 1905
1895 Pastoral Act An Act to amend the pastoral laws (relates to vermin-proof fence and the presence of vermin) The Pastoral Act 1904
1896 Vermin Districts Act An Act to amend "The Vermin Districts Act 1894" The Vermin Act 1905
1897 Vermin-Proof Fencing Act An Act to amend the vermin-proof fencing acts, 1890 and 1894, and for other purposes The Vermin Act 1905
1898 Vermin Districts Act An Act to amend the Vermin Acts Amendment Act of 1895 The Vermin Act 1905
1898 Pastoral Lands Amendment Act An Act relating to pastoral lands (relates to vermin-proof fences) The Pastoral Act 1904
1900 The Vermin Districts Amendment Act An Act to amend the law relating to vermin districts The Vermin Act 1905
1903 Fences Act Amendment Act An Act to amend "The Fences Act 1892" (provides for erection of rabbit-proof fences) The Vermin Act 1905 (only vermin provisions)
1903 Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Act An Act to amend The Municipal Corporations Act 1890, and for other purposes (matters relating to noxious weeds) Municipal Corporations Act 1923
1904 The Pastoral Act 1904 An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to pastoral lands, and for other purposes The Vermin Act 1905 (only vermin provisions)
1905 The Vermin Act An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to vermin destruction and vermin fencing, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1914
1907 The Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend "The Vermin Act 1905" Vermin Act 1914
1911 The Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to further amend "The Vermin Act 1905" Vermin Act 1914
1912 The Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to further amend "The Vermin Act 1905" Vermin Act 1914
1912 The Wild Dogs Act An Act to provide for the destruction of wild dogs Wild Dogs Act 1931
1913 The Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to further amend the vermin acts Vermin Act 1914
1914 The Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend, and to extend the operation of "The Wild Dogs Act 1912" Wild Dogs Act 1931
1914 The Vermin Act An Act to consolidate certain acts relating to vermin destruction and vermin fencing, and for other matters Vermin Act 1931
1915 Vermin Act Suspensory Act An Act giving power to suspend the operation of certain provisions of the Vermin Act 1914 Vermin Act 1931
1915 Crown Lands Act An Act to consolidate certain acts relating to Crown Lands (matters relating to vermin) Crown Lands Act 1929
1916 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1914 Vermin Act 1931
1919 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Wild Dogs Act 1912, and for other purposes Wild Dogs Act 1931
1919 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Vermin Act 1914, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1931
1921 Moolawatana and Yandama Fence (Removal) Act An Act to authorise the Commissioner of Crown Lands to take up and remove a certain vermin proof fence, and to dispose of the materials composing the same, and for other purposes Statute Law Revision Act 1934
1921 Sparrow Destruction Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Sparrow Destruction Act 1889 incorporating provisions into Local Government Act 1934
1922 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Vermin Act 1914 Vermin Act 1931
1923 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Acts, 1914 to 1922, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1931
1924 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Acts, 1914 to 1923, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1931
1924 Registration of Dogs Act An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to the registration of dogs, and the Prevention of Damage by Dogs, and for other purposes Dog Control Act 1979
1924 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Wild Dogs Act 1912 Wild Dogs Act 1931
1925 Camels Destruction Act An Act relating to the destruction of trespassing camels, and for other purposes Statutes Repeal (Lands) Act 1985
1925 Noxious Weeds (African Boxthorn) Act An Act relating to the destruction of African boxthorn Noxious Weeds Act 1931
1925 State Bank Act An Act to provide for the establishment of a State Bank of South Australia, for the administration by the said bank of various other Acts dealing with the making advances and loans, to make consequential and other amendments to those Acts, and for other purposes (made amendments to Vermin Act 1914) Vermin Act 1931 only vermin provisions
1926 Camels Destruction Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Camels Destruction Act 1925, and for other purposes Statutes Repeal (Lands) Act 1985
1926 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Acts, 1914 to 1924, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1931
1928 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Acts, 1912 to 1924 Wild Dogs Act 1931
1928 Vermin Act Further Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Acts, 1914 to 1926 Vermin Act 1931
1929 Registration of Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Registration of Dogs Act 1924 Dog Control Act 1979
1929 Wild Dogs Act Amendment An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Acts, 1912 to 1928 Wild Dogs Act 1931
1929 Crown Lands Act An Act to consolidate certain Acts relating to Crown Lands (matters relating to vermin) Crown Land Management Act 2009
1930 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to empower the postponement of certain repayments under the Vermin Acts, 1914 to 1928, to amend the said Acts, and for other purposes Vermin Act 1931
1930 Crown Lands (Administration) Act An Act to amend the Crown Lands Act 1929, the Vermin Act 1914, the Wild Dogs Act 1912, and the Discharged Soldiers Settlement (Relief) Act 1925 Wild Dogs Act 1931 and Vermin Act 1931
1931 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Wild Dogs Act 1912 Wild Dogs Act 1931
1931 Wild Dogs Act An Act to consolidate certain Acts providing for the destruction of wild dogs Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1931 Noxious Weeds Act An Act to make further and better provision for the destruction of noxious weeds, and for other purposes Weeds Act 1956
1931 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1914 Vermin Act 1931
1931 Vermin Act An Act to consolidate certain Acts relating to vermin destruction and vermin fencing, and other matters Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1934 Alsatian Dogs Act An Act to provide for the control of Alsatian dogs, and for incidental purposes Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act 1983
1934 Local Government Act An Act to consolidate and amend certain Acts relating to municipal corporations and district councils, and to amend various other Acts (matters relating to the destruction of sparrows) Local Government Act Amendment Act 1985 (those provisions relating to the destruction of sparrows)
1935 Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Noxious Weeds Act 1931 Weeds Act 1956
1935 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931, and the Loans for Fencing and Water Piping Act 1930 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1936 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931, and the Loans for Fencing and Water Piping Act 1930 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1938 Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Noxious Weeds Act 1931-1935 Weeds Act 1956
1938 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1939 Noxious Weeds Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Noxious Weeds Act 1931-1938 Weeds Act 1956
1939 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1936 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1942 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1939 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1943 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1942 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1944 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1943 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1945 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1944 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1946 Dog Fence Act An Act to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a dog-proof fence in the northern part of the State in order to prevent the ingress of wild dogs into the pastoral areas of the State, and for purposes incidental thereto Extant
1948 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1938 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1949 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1949 Alsatian Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Alsatian Dogs Act, 1934. Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act 1983
1951 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1948 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1953 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1945 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1953 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1949 Extant
1953 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1951 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1954 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1953 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1954 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1953 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1956 Weeds Act An Act to make provision for the destruction of certain weeds, to repeal the Noxious Weeds Act 1931-1939, and for other purposes Pest Plants Act 1976
1957 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1954 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1959 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1957 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1959 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act. 1946-1953. Extant
1960 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1959 Extant
1960 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1959 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1961 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1960 Extant
1961 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1954 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1962 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1961 Extant
1962 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1960 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1963 Weeds Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Weeds Act 1956 Pest Plants Act 1976
1964 Statutes Amendment (Dog Fence and Vermin) Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act, 1946-1962 and the Vermin Act 1931-1962. Extant (for Dog Fence provisions) and by Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1965 Alsatian Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Alsatian Dogs Act 1934-1949. Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act 1983
1967 Vermin Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Vermin Act 1931-1964, and for other purposes Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1969 Weeds Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Weeds Act 1956-1963 Pest Plants Act 1976
1969 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1964 Extant
1970 Wild Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1961 Vertebrate Pests Act 1975
1975 Vertebrate Pests Act An Act to provide for the control of vertebrate pests; to repeal the Vermin Act 1931-1967, and the Wild Dogs Act 1931-1970; to amend the Statute Law Revision Act 1935, the Statute Law Revision Act 1936, the Loans for Fencing and Water Piping Act 1938-1973, and the Statutes Amendment (Dog Fence
and Vermin) Act 1964; and for other purposes
Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
1975 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1969 Extant
1976 Pest Plants Act An Act to provide for the control of pest plants within the State; to repeal the Weeds Act 1956-1969, and for other purposes Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
1977 Vertebrate Pests Act Amendment Act (No. 2) An Act to amend the Vertebrate Pests Act 1975-1977 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
1977 Vertebrate Pests Act Amendment Act (No. 7) An Act to amend the Vertebrate Pests Act 1975 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
1978 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1975 Extant
1979 Alsatian Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Alsatian Dogs Act 1934-1965 Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act 1983
1980 Alsatian Dogs Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Alsatian Dogs Act 1934-1979 Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act 1983
1982 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946-1978 Extant
1983 Alsatian Dogs Act Repeal Act An Act to repeal the Alsatian Dogs Act 1934-1980 Extant
1984 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1985 Pests Plants Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Pest Plants Act 1976 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986
1986 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1986 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act An Act to provide for the control of animals and plants for the protection of agriculture and the environment and for the safety of the public; to repeal the Vertebrate Pests Act 1975, and the Pest Plants Act 1975; and for other purposes Natural Resources Management Act 2004
1989 Dog Fence Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1989 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act, 1986 Natural Resources Management Act 2004
1992 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) (Immunity from Liability) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986 Natural Resources Management Act 2004
1995 Dog Fence (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1995 Dog Fence (Special Rate, etc) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
1996 Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) (Interim Control Boards) An Act to amend the Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and Other Purposes) Act 1986 Natural Resources Management Act 2004
2004 Natural Resources Management Act An Act to promote sustainable and integrated management of the State's natural resources; to make provision for the protection of the State's natural resources Landscape South Australia Act 2019
2005 Dog Fence (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
2007 Natural Resources Management (Water Resources and Other Matters) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 Landscape South Australia Act 2019
2013 Natural Resources Management (Review) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 Landscape South Australia Act 2019
2016 Dog Fence (Payments and Rates) Amendment Act An Act to amend the Dog Fence Act 1946 Extant
2019 Landscape South Australia Act An Act to promote sustainable and integrated management of the State's landscapes, to make provision for the protection of the State's natural resources, to repeal the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and for other purposes Extant

20 Acts to protect certain pest animals

Year Act Name Description Date Repealed
1864 Protection of Animals Act An Act to prevent the wanton destruction of certain wild and acclimatized animals Game Act 1874
1874 Game Act An Act to prevent the destruction of certain birds and animals Game Act 1886
1882 The Ostrich Farming Act An Act to encourage ostrich farming Statute Law Revision Act 1934
1885 Game Act An Act to amend the "Game Act 1874" Game Act 1886
1886 Game Act An Act to repeal the "Game Act 1874" and Act No. 337 of 1885, and to make other provisions in lieu thereof The Animals Protection Act 1912
1887 The District Councils Act An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to district councils (provisions relating to vermin only) The District Councils Act 1914
1900 Birds Protection Act An Act for the protection of birds Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919
1903 The Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend "The Birds Protection Act" Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919
1904 The District Councils Amendment Act An Act to amend "The District Councils Act 1887" and for other purposes (provisions relating to vermin only) The District Councils Act 1914
1905 The Homing Pigeon Act An Act for the protection of homing pigeons, and for other purposes Provisions incorporated into Police Act 1936
1912 The Animals Protection Act An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919
1919 Animals and Birds Protection Act An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals and birds, and to regulate the use of firearms for the purpose of sport, and for other purposes Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1922 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919 Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1927 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to further amend the Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919, and for other purposes Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1928 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Protection Acts 1919-1927 Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1932 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to enact provisions for the better protection of certain birds Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1933 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act 1932 Statute Law Revision Act 1934
1936 Police Act An Act to consolidate certain Acts relating to the police force, and to the maintenance of law and order (matters relating to homing pigeons) Police Act Repeal Act 1973
1938 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919-1934 Fauna Conservation Act 1964
1958 Animals and Birds Protection Act Amendment Act An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919-1938 Fauna Conservation Act 1964
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