There are currently three classes of ABBBS Banding Authority in use.
A-class authority
This Authority is issued to competent banders who have sufficient skills and experience to undertake banding without supervision.
Qualifications
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants are not generally eligible for an A-class authority until they have held a C-class authority for 2 years, and have banded 500 birds or 50 bats, under the direct supervision of an A-class bander.
- Applications must be supported by at least two reports from A-class supervising banders, attesting to the applicant's experience and competence in methods of capture, handling, measuring and banding birds/bats, and in data management. Referees are expected to state how many birds/bats they have observed the applicant process.
Projects
A-class banders may apply to undertake their own projects although many A-class banders elect to assist on projects run by other banders. Bands and other equipment will only be issued for use on approved projects.
Permits
A-class banders are required to hold the necessary State/Territory permits to trap, band and release wildlife. State/Territory wildlife agencies are notified of applications for enrolment as an A-class bander.
Responsibilities
A-class banders with approved projects are responsible for
- ensuring accurate and timely provision of all banding data to the ABBBS, preferably in an electronic format following the ‘Capture of Disk Data’ (CODD) guidelines;
- supplying bands and equipment for banders assisting with the project;
- ensuring that all necessary State/Territory permits are held;
- disseminating the results of their project to the wider scientific community; and
- ensuring that the bird/bat handling and banding techniques employed during their study are always of the highest standard and that the safety of the birds/bats remains of paramount concern to all involved with the work.
Duration
A-class authorities are issued for one year.
Endorsements
Levels of trapping endorsements
R-class authority
This is a restricted authority enabling the holder to operate under limited A-class supervision and under prescribed conditions. R-class authorities may be issued to people who have substantial banding-related skills but who do not meet the full requirements for an A-class authority. R-class authorities may also be issued to applicants with relevant banding experience seeking to research a specific species for a limited time (eg university research). After a period of training, C-class banders may apply to have their authority upgraded to R-class. It is important to note however, that unsupervised banding generally will not contribute towards qualifying for an A-class authority.
Qualifications
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants are expected to have considerable banding experience, or particular skills, experience, and knowledge of a target species or group.
- Applications must be supported by:
- two referee reports supporting the application, including at least one provided by an A-class bander who has first-hand knowledge of the applicants related skills, experience or particular knowledge; and
- an A-class bander's agreement to provide adequate training and supervision.
- For R-class banders wishing to apply for their own project, both referee reports must be from A-class banders, or equivalent.
Projects
In special circumstances, R-class banders may apply to undertake their own projects, although most R-class banders elect to assist on projects run by other banders. ABBBS’s support of R-class projects is at the discretion of the ABBBS, and is not automatic. Bands and other equipment will only be issued for use on approved projects.
Conditions
Conditions may be specified restricting the Authority-holder to prescribed species, circumstances, capture methods etc.
Duration
R-class authorities are issued for one year.
Permits
R-class banders are required to hold the necessary State/Territory permits to trap, band and release wildlife. State/Territory wildlife agencies are notified of applications for enrolment as an R-class bander.
Responsibilities
R-class banders with approved projects are responsible for:
- ensuring accurate and timely provision of all banding data to the ABBBS, preferably in an electronic format following the ‘Capture of Disk Data’ (CODD) guidelines;
- ensuring that all necessary State/Territory permits are held;
- disseminating the results of their project to the wider scientific community;
- ensuring that the bird/bat handling and banding techniques employed during their study are always of the highest standard and that the safety of the birds/bats remains of paramount concern to all involved with the work.
Endorsements
Levels of trapping endorsements
C-class authority
This class of authority is issued to enable would-be banders to acquire appropriate training and experience by assisting A-class banders with approved projects. C-class banders are required to always band under direct supervision of an A-class bander. C-class banders may not hold any trapping methods endorsements.
Qualifications
- Applicants must be at least 14 years of age.
- Applicants need not have had previous experience in handling and banding birds or bats
- The application must be supported by a current A-class bander who shall be responsible for the training and conduct of the C-class Bander.
Projects
C-class banders will assist A-class banders on approved projects. Bands and equipment will be provided by the A-class bander/project supervisor. Projects will not be approved for C-class banders, nor will they be issued with bands or equipment by ABBBS.
Duration
C-class authorities are issued initially for one year. Upgrade or renewal at the end of one year is NOT automatic.
Permits
C-class banders operating in the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia are required to hold a State permit to trap, band and release birds or bats. In the other States/Territories, C-class banders are covered by the permit held by their A-class supervisor. In all cases, the State/Territory agencies are notified before issue of C-class authorities.
Endorsements
C-class banders may not hold any trapping endorsements.