Declared bird organisations
Approved bird clubs
Approved bird clubs can hold bird sales outside of a private residence or pet shop.
The declared bird organisation scheme allows bird clubs to hold bird sales at locations other than a private residence or a registered pet shop. Clubs that do not hold bird sales do not need to apply.
To hold a sale, bird clubs apply to the Minister for Agriculture to become a declared bird organisation.
Once approved, the organisation must notify the Secretary of the department of the details of each bird sale at least 14 days before the event.
Bird clubs that want to hold a bird sale event outside of a private residence or registered pet shop must either be approved by the Minister for Agriculture as a declared bird organisation or hold an animal sale permit.
Processes on becoming a declared bird organisation and making notification of a bird sale are outlined below.
Application process
A bird club applies to the Minister for Agriculture to be a declared bird organisation. Once approved, this declaration is gazetted online.
To apply, please complete the following application form Form 1: Declared bird letter to the Minister 
[MS Word Document - 45.1 KB]
Mail it to:
Minister for Agriculture
c/- Agriculture Victoria
Domestic Animals Registry and Permitting
475 Mickleham Road
Attwood VIC 3049
Or you can email it to DAS@agriculture.vic.gov.au
If an organisation with current approval applies for renewal more than 60 days before their approval expires, the Minister has 60 days to approve it. This time limit does not apply if the organisation applies within 60 days of their approval expiring or for new applications.
Eligibility
There are 2 criteria that the Minister must be satisfied on to make a declaration and evidence will need to accompany your application for each.
To be eligible to apply, an organisation must represent members with an interest in:
- birds and bird-keeping
- the promotion of aviculture
- the wellbeing of birds, whether in captivity or in the wild.
The Minister for Agriculture may declare bird organisations if satisfied that the organisation has processes in place to educate its members about, and ensure compliance with either of the following:
- the Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds
- any other code of practice relating to caged birds the Minister has approved.
If you have any questions on processes for both educating on and ensuring compliance with the code of practice, and the type of evidence that might be supplied, please contact the Domestic Animals Registry and Permitting team on 136 186">das@agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone 136 186.
Birds exempt from the declared bird organisation scheme are:
- waterfowl
- fancy poultry
- fancy pigeons
- racing pigeons
- birds used for the commercial production of meat or eggs (such as poultry, pheasants or quail).
Notification to sell birds
Once declared a declared bird organisation, clubs notify the Secretary of the department of their intention to hold a bird sale outside of a pet shop or residential premises. This notification must be given at least 14 days before the sale begins and includes the:
- date/s of the sale
- proposed location of the sale
- contact details for the person in charge
- possible type of birds to be sold.
Notification can be sent to:
DEECA Secretary
c/- Agriculture Victoria
Domestic Animals Registry and Permitting
475 Mickleham Road
Atwood VIC 3049
Or you can email it to DAS@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Declared bird organisations may complete the following form to assist in complying with the notification requirements.
You can get assistance by contacting the Domestic Animals Registry and Permitting team on DAS@agriculture.vic.gov.au or calling 136 186.