Livestock predation management in north west Victoria
In Victoria, dingoes are protected as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Wildlife Act 1975.
There are two main populations of dingoes in Victoria: a population in the east, and a smaller disconnected population in the north west (the Mallee) near the Big Desert.
To protect this vulnerable population of dingoes from local extinction, lethal control of these animals is not permitted in this region.
Farmers in the north west can apply for an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW), which permits the use of lethal control in circumstances where no other non-lethal control options are available. In light of current scientific evidence that highlights the risk of extinction to the north west dingo population, the Conservation Regulator will only consider issuing ATCWs for lethal control in extraordinary circumstances, such as where there are human safety concerns, or where there are extreme and escalating livestock impacts and all non-lethal control measures have been exhausted.
The Conservation Regulator will determine if circumstances are extraordinary based on the unique characteristics of an application for lethal control, balanced against the state of the north west dingo population.
Applications must include evidence of the damage caused by a dingo or dingoes and how all practical available non-lethal control options have been assessed and/or applied.
Further information on:
- Dingo protection in north west Victoria
- Dingoes and the current Order in Council
- Non-lethal control options
Map of dingo unprotection area
View a larger version of this map 
[PDF File - 564.2 KB]
Engagement
North west focus group report
In June 2024, Agriculture Victoria held 8 eight landowner consultation session in the north west region to hear about vertebrate pest management and to get a better understanding of farmers’ views on:
- the changes to dingo protections and issues with predation management since the March 2024 Order
- effectiveness of control methods, including non-lethal control methods
- their knowledge of dingo ecology such as movements, behaviours, numbers and use of area.
An independent report developed by Roger Wilkinson summarising the findings from the meetings is provided below.
Read the report:
- 2024 NW Focus Group Report – accessible
[MS Word Document - 374.8 KB] - 2024 NW Focus Group Report [PDF File - 710.8 KB]
North west engagement summaries
In May 2025, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) hosted engagement sessions in north west Victoria to discuss dingo conservation and management with local farmers and community members. Approximately 53 people attended sessions at Murrayville, Patchewollock and Yanac.
Attendees shared valuable feedback on their experiences since the dingo unprotection order was lifted on 14 March 2024, as well as their thoughts on the dingo support package that was announced by the Victorian Government in October 2024.
DEECA staff also had the opportunity to provide attendees further information about support package projects. The consultation summary is provided below. DEECA is grateful to everyone who took the time to attend the sessions.
Read the report: