Track-based surveys include a range of sampling methods to record animal presence in sandy desert habitats, based on their tracks, scats, diggings or other signs. The method can be used for different objectives; one potential application is to create a nationally consistent approach for monitoring species distributions and trends. Track-based monitoring could also improve our understanding of ecological processes operating across time and space, and allow us to evaluate the outcome of management actions. There are several variations of track-based surveys being used across Australia, and the inconsistencies in data recording hinder the collation of data regionally and nationally.