Invasive plant classifications

Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act) certain plants are declared as noxious weeds in Victoria. These plants cause environmental or economic harm or have the potential to cause such harm. They can also present risks to human health.

The CaLP Act defines 4 categories of noxious weeds:

• state prohibited weeds
• regionally prohibited weeds
• regionally controlled weeds
• restricted weeds

Invasive plants are categorised into 1 of these 4 categories for each catchment region in Victoria.

State prohibited weeds

State prohibited weeds are invasive plants that either:

• do not occur in Victoria but pose a significant threat if they invade
• are present, pose a serious threat and can reasonably be expected to be eradicated

If present, infestations of a state prohibited weed are relatively small.

They are to be eradicated from Victoria if possible or excluded from the state. The Victorian Government is responsible for their eradication, but under section 70(1) of the CaLP Act, it can direct landowners to prevent their growth and spread.

Notify us immediately

Tell us if you think you've purchased or seen a state prohibited weed. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Regionally prohibited weeds

Regionally prohibited weeds are not widely distributed in a region but are capable of spreading further. It is reasonable to expect that they can be eradicated from a region and they must be managed with that goal.

Land owners, including public authorities responsible for crown land management, must take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds on their land.

Regionally controlled weeds

These invasive plants are usually widespread in a region. To prevent their spread, ongoing control measures are required.

Land owners have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds on their land.

Restricted weeds

This category includes plants that pose an unacceptable risk of spreading in this state and are a serious threat to another state or territory of Australia. Trade in these weeds and their propagules (either as plants, seeds or contaminants in other materials) is prohibited.

See Victoria's consolidated lists of declared noxious weeds and pest animals.

Noxious aquatic species

Some aquatic plants pose a serious threat to fisheries, the aquatic environment or human health. The Fisheries Act 1995 has declared some species as noxious aquatic plants.

It is an offence to:

• bring them into Victoria
• posses, sell, transport or release them

See Marine pests for more information.