Biosecurity remains essential as temporary poultry confinement requirement ends

16 October 2026

Strong, long-term biosecurity measures will remain central to managing the ongoing risk of H5 bird flu, with temporary requirements for poultry producers in metropolitan Melbourne and specified coastal and adjacent areas ending on 16 October 2026.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke thanked the poultry industry for their ongoing support and is strongly encouraging all poultry producers to continue to use all practical measures to prevent and minimise contact between poultry and wild birds.

Keeping poultry separated from wild birds wherever possible, protecting feed and water from wild bird access and preventing wild birds from entering poultry sheds and yards remains critical to managing the risk of H5 bird flu.

Forecast hotter than average summer temperatures, together with animal welfare considerations support ending the temporary requirements.

Since 2022 the Victorian Government has invested more than $130 million to boost our preparedness to rapidly respond to biosecurity threats.

The successful eradication of H7 avian influenza from poultry farms in 2024 and 2025 demonstrated the strength of Victoria’s response capability, however, the H5 variant differs from previous strains and can cause the deaths of large numbers of wild birds and some mammals.

The governments’ investment in surveillance and detection technology like mobile diagnostic and forward command centre equipment, as well as technical expertise and surge workforce capability, position Victoria strongly to response to a detection of H5 bird flu in poultry farms.

Over recent weeks, Agriculture Victoria has worked closely with industry and poultry producers to undertake surveillance of disease spread and support strengthened biosecurity preparedness. Providing additional assurance that now is the right time to lift these temporary and targets biosecurity requirements.

Poultry producers should continue to review their biosecurity plans, remain alert for signs of disease on or near their property and stay up to date with the latest advice.

The Chief Veterinary Officer has the authority to implement future Control Orders under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994, for the purpose of controlling H5 bird flu if the current situation were to change.

There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in Australian poultry or livestock, however the risk remains as detections occur in wildlife across the state.

We encourage Victorians to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, record what they see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

These reports provide valuable information to support surveillance activities and help authorities understand the distribution and impacts of the disease.

Members of the public should not touch sick or dead birds or wildlife, or the immediate environment where they are located.

Anyone who finds sick or dead birds or wildlife should record the location and report it online or by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information visit H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu).

Quotes attributable to Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke

‘Strong biosecurity must be part of everyday poultry management. We will continue monitoring the risk closely and retain the ability to introduce additional controls if circumstances change.’

‘Reducing contact between poultry and wild birds remains one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of disease entering a flock, and we strongly encourage poultry owners to continue taking practical steps to separate birds wherever possible and as suits their business.’

‘We thank Victoria’s poultry owners in the affected areas for meeting the temporary housing requirement. While the requirement has ended poultry producers must maintain strong biosecurity practices as the seasonal conditions change.’

Quotes attributable to Victorian Farmers Federation president Ryan Milgate

‘Maintaining strong biosecurity practices remains our best defence to reducing the risk of disease outbreaks, such as H5.’

‘All farmers are strongly encouraged to check their existing biosecurity measures, update them to address current threats, and monitor their properties for any sick or deceased birds or other unusual signs of illness.’

‘It’s been a huge joint effort to keep bird flu out of our commercial poultry industry, but we must not rest on our laurels and become complacent.’

Media contact: sboc.media@agriculture.vic.gov.au