Authorisation order – possession and disposal of dead wildlife on public land

An authorisation order under the Wildlife Act 1975 allows the management of dead wildlife on public land where H5 bird flu is suspected, when it is neceessary for safety. The authorisation order includes birds and mammals other than whales and dolphins.

The Wildlife (Possession and Disposal of Dead Wildlife on Public Land) Authorisation Order No. 1/2026 authorises public land managers, their employees and agents, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) employees, and agents of the Crown to possess and dispose of dead wildlife on public land in specified circumstances.

An agent of a public land manager includes a person who has an agreement, contract or other arrangement with the land manager to undertake an activity authorised by the order.

The order applies where an authorised person suspects that wildlife has died as a result of H5 bird flu and considers that taking possession of the wildlife is necessary because either:

• the location of the dead wildlife presents a risk to people using the land or
• it is necessary for the management, conservation, protection or control of wildlife.

Where the wildlife to be disposed of is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, the public land manager should ensure the wildlife is reported to the Conservation Regulator via the DEECA Customer Contact Centre on 136 186. See this list of threatened species.

No wildlife may be disposed of until the required notifications are made.

For further guidance on how to dispose of dead wildlife, refer to the Guidelines for managing wildlife infected with H5 bird flu on public land [PDF File - 181.4 KB].

The Order will operate for 12 months from its commencement, unless revoked earlier.

For more information, please visit Managing dead birds and wildlife on your land.

Read the authorisation order

A copy of the order may be obtained by calling the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186 or online from the Victorian Government Gazette. [NEED THE GAZETTE LINK]