Livestock predation management in the rest of 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.
From 1 October 2024, to allow for the control of dingoes where they threaten livestock and livestock production, a new Order in Council has been made for specified lands in eastern Victoria. The Order revokes and replaces the order made in March 2024 and will have effect until 1 January 2028.
Under these settings dingoes may continue to be controlled in eastern Victoria using lethal and non-lethal means; noting that the wild dog bounty has been discontinued. Dingoes will remain protected in the north west of the state, where the local dingo population is critically low and at risk of extinction.
In the remainder of the State, where there is limited evidence on the presence of dingoes, predation control may continue to protect livestock and livestock production in accordance with relevant Victorian laws such as the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 , Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 .
Farmers should note that it is difficult to distinguish between a wild dog and a dingo without DNA testing. Penalties apply for the destruction of wildlife such as the dingo.
Further information on:
- Dingo protection in north west Victoria
- Dingoes and the current Order in Council
- Non-lethal control options
