In Victoria, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and as a result is protected (threatened wildlife) under the Wildlife Act 1975. The dingo has an important role as a top order predator in the natural environment. It is both culturally important to First Nations People and valued as an iconic Australian species.
Predation of livestock is an important issue for livestock production. Conflict between grazing enterprises and dingoes can occur on private land adjoining public land in eastern Victoria and north-west Victoria.
Review of current approach to dingo conservation and management in Victoria
There is emerging research regarding the status of what were previously understood to be wild dogs (feral domestic dogs), or dingo-dog hybrids.
The recent scientific evidence represents a significant change in the knowledge that underpins current policy and the regulatory framework for managing wild dogs and dingoes in Victoria. This information necessitates a review and for government to agree a future policy for dingo conservation and management in Victoria.
The review will be finalised within 12 months and will consider the new research alongside the rights and cultural obligations of Traditional Owners, and the need to balance the conservation of the dingo with the need to minimise the impacts from predation on graziers, including alternatives to lethal control.
The review will include consultation with affected farmers as well as ecologists and conservationists to inform long term dingo conservation and the management of stock predation.
The review will also include a comprehensive assessment of the dingo conservation status, including an assessment of dingo population and distribution across Victoria.
Order in Council unprotecting the dingo in certain circumstances
The dingo is listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and as a result is threatened wildlife and protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975 to take or kill threatened wildlife without an authorisation to do so.
Predation of livestock is an important issue for livestock production on private land that interfaces with public land.
The Dingo Unprotection Order, made by an Order in Council under the Wildlife Act 1975, declares the dingo to be unprotected wildlife in certain areas of Victoria. It enables the control of dingoes for the protection of livestock on private land and along the boundaries of public land in eastern and north-west Victoria.
The Dingo Unprotection Order has been remade for a further 12 months until 1 October 2024.
This will allow time for government to review current dingo management and conservation approaches in light of new scientific research regarding the status of what were previously understood to be wild dogs (feral domestic dogs), or dingo-dog hybrids.
Further information on the current Order in Council:
Page last updated: 02/10/23