Invasive animal classifications
Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP) certain animals are declared as pest animals in Victoria.
These animals are, or have the potential to become, a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria.
Under the CaLP Act, animal species can be declared in 1 of 4 categories:
- prohibited pest animals
- controlled pest animals
- regulated pest animals
- established pest animals
Under the CaLP Act prohibited, controlled and regulated pest animals are collectively defined as restricted pest animals.
Restricted pest animals
These animals are not established in the wild in Victoria.
The importation, keeping, breeding, releasing and trading of restricted pest animals without a permit is illegal and penalties apply.
Occurrences of restricted pest animals, in the wild or being illegally kept, should be reported to Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Established pest animals
These animals are established in the wild in Victoria and are a serious threat to primary production, Crown land, the environment or community health in Victoria.
Land owners have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of — and as far as possible eradicate established pest animals on their land.
It is not possible to eradicate these pest animals from the state, therefore asset protection is the most effective approach to minimise their impact on high value assets.