Livestock predation management

Recreational hunting of dingoes on public land is not allowed in Victoria.

In the eastern part of the state, where dingoes are unprotected, only authorised DEECA employees and authorised agents contracted in writing by DEECA can shoot dingoes on public land. Shooting with a firearm may only occur if:

the firearm is used in accordance with the Firearms Act 1996
the dingo is humanely destroyed in a manner that does not cause unnecessary pain and suffering.

In the rest of Victoria, dingoes are protected as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Wildlife Act 1975.

it is an offence to kill a dingo without an authority to control wildlife (ATWC) on public land. The Conservation Regulator will only consider issuing ATCWs for lethal control in extraordinary circumstances, such as where there are human safety concerns or there are extreme and escalating livestock impacts and all non-lethal control measures have been exhausted.

Livestock predation management in eastern Victoria

Management approaches vary for different areas of the state under current Dingo Unprotection Order

Livestock predation management in north west Victoria

Management approaches vary for different areas of the state under current Dingo Unprotection Order.

Livestock predation management in the rest of Victoria

Management approaches vary for different areas of the state under current Dingo Unprotection Order

Livestock predation support for north west farmers and Traditional Owners

The Victorian Government is supporting north west farmers and Victoria’s Traditional Owners with an additional $2 million support package.

Non-lethal control methods to manage livestock predation

There are a range of non-lethal control measures that landholders can use to reduce the impacts of livestock predation.

2025-26 vertebrate species management zone planning

These face-to-face community meetings are an opportunity for you to discuss predation management in your area.