Conservation Regulator publications

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has a wide range of regulatory responsibilities and is committed to carrying out these responsibilities to a high standard. Our goal is to maximise compliance with the law, reduce harm and provide benefits to the environment and our community.

The DELWP Regulatory Framework describes the way we approach our regulatory responsibilities and sets out the DELWP's regulatory mission:

To be an effective, trusted, best practice regulator.

The framework also sets out the key principles for delivery of the Office of the Conservation Regulator regulatory functions:

• Outcome-focused
• Risk-based
• Intelligence-led and evidence based
• Proportionate and graduated
• Collaborative
• Transparent
• Safe

Download the Regulatory Framework:

The Conservation Regulator Compliance and Enforcement policy is a key document supporting the implementation of the DELWP Regulatory Framework.

It describes how we will apply the law and exercise judgement and discretion in our compliance and enforcement activities, in particular how we:

• encourage voluntary compliance with the law
• use a range of compliance and enforcement tools we have at our disposal
• consider the extent of culpability and harm in our enforcement approach.

At the Conservation Regulator, we work with co-regulators, regulated entities and the community to improve compliance with the laws we have powers to administer. Our compliance strategy is based on these key approaches:

• preventive work, such as raising awareness of the regulatory requirements and how to comply with them
• monitoring and assessing compliance with regulatory requirements
• taking action against non-compliance
• responding to harmful events as they arise.

Our responses to non-compliance are considered and graduated depending on the circumstances.

Download the Compliance and Enforcement policy:

Protecting Victoria’s wildlife, biodiversity, and State forests

Conservation Regulator regulatory priorities for 2025–2027

• Illegal fires on public land
• Illegal take of firewood  
• Cruelty to wildlife
• Protection of threatened species  
• Illegal vehicle use  

Regulatory priorities 2025-2027(opens in a new window)

Previous publications

• Regulatory priorities 2024–2025(opens in a new window)
• Regulatory priorities 2023–2024(opens in a new window)

We will be transparent about how we regulate, improve our relationships with stakeholders, the community and those we regulate.

This strategy supports our commitment to the DEECA Community Charter. It outlines, why we engage, who we engage with and how we engage.

The strategy means we will engage with stakeholder to:

• identify priorities
• design regulatory interventions
• supporting all stakeholders to comply with the law.

We will do this through planned consultations, workshops and events, and everyday interactions.

Download the engagement strategy:

The Conservation Regulator has published its Year in Review 2023-2024, outlining the achievements and progress made in the 2023–2024 financial year.

2023–2024 saw significant outcomes achieved through education and enforcement across our regulatory priorities.

We would like to thank our regulatory partners and stakeholders for their contributions to establishing and progressing the priorities of the Conservation Regulator.

Year in Review 2023–2024(opens in a new window)

Our previous Year in Reviews can also be found below:

• Year in Review 2022-2023
• Year in Review 2021-2022
• Year in Review 2020-2021
• Year in Review 2019-2020

The Regulating the Protection of Wildlife - Statement of Regulatory Intent outlines the Conservation Regulator’s approach to wildlife regulation under current laws.

The Statement of Regulatory Intent provides an explanation of how the Conservation Regulator will use its powers to prevent, monitor and respond to breaches of the law to achieve our regulatory outcomes for wildlife, and how the performance of the regulator will be measured.

Read the full statement of regulatory intent at Regulating the protection of Wildlife.

Engagement Report

This Engagement Report outlines the feedback provided by community and industry stakeholders during the public consultation period for Regulating the Protection of Wildlife - Statement of Regulatory Intent in 2021.

The report analyses and presents the feedback provided to the Conservation Regulator, and states how feedback was used by the Conservation Regulator in finalising the Regulating the Protection of Wildlife - Statement of Regulatory Intent.

Read the full report at Wildlife Statement of Regulatory Intent Engagement Report.

In Victoria, sick, injured or orphaned wildlife can only be rehabilitated by a wildlife rehabilitator who is authorised by the Conservation Regulator under the Wildlife Act 1975.

Wildlife Rehabilitator Authorisations are subject to strict conditions to protect the welfare of wildlife undergoing rehabilitation. These conditions are explained in the Wildlife Rehabilitator Authorisation Guide: Things you need to know.

The authorisation guide explains the conditions of the authorisation, the objectives of each condition and how you can comply.

Read the full guide:

Wildlife Rehabilitator Authorisation Guide: Things you need to know(opens in a new window)

Wildlife demonstrators educate the public about ecology, through static or roving wildlife displays.

Wildlife demonstrators must hold a wildlife demonstrator licence and meet minimum standards of care and welfare for exhibited wildlife. This also includes safeguarding the community.

The Wildlife demonstrator licence guide outlines the conditions of a wildlife demonstrator licence, sets out the objectives of each condition, and provides information about how to comply.

Read the full guide:

Wildlife Demonstrator Licence Guide: Things you need to know(opens in a new window)

In Victoria, a Dingo Licence is required to keep a dingo at home. Anyone in possession of a dingo in Victoria must meet minimum standards of care and welfare for dingoes and ensure that dingoes are kept in a way that keeps the community and other animals, including domestic pets, safe.

The Dingo Licence Guide outlines the conditions of a dingo licence, sets out the objectives of each condition, and provides information about how to comply.

Read the full guide:

Dingo Licence Guide: Things you need to know(opens in a new window)

To keep most wildlife species you need a licence from the Conservation Regulator.

Private Wildlife Licences allow the Victorian community to legally keep certain species of captive bred native wildlife in their homes. Wildlife licence holders must understand and follow their licence conditions to ensure that they are acting lawfully, protecting the welfare of their wildlife and protecting wild populations.

The Private Wildlife Licence Guide supports licence holders to understand and comply with the obligations of their wildlife basic or advanced licence. It outlines the conditions of a private wildlife licence, sets out the objectives

Read the full guide:

Private Wildlife Licence Guide: Things you need to know(opens in a new window)

Despite best intentions, wildlife owners may face challenges that make looking after their wildlife tough. This may be due to health reasons, financial hardship, growing responsibilities or other changes in personal circumstances.

Rehoming can be a difficult decision for many, and it is important to prioritise the welfare of the wildlife in your care. Here are the steps you can take to ensure your wildlife is looked after.

Read the guide:

Rehoming Wildlife(opens in a new window)

Vets can lawfully treat sick, injured or abandoned wildlife. The relevant exemptions also apply to vet nurses and other clinic staff, provided they are operating in accordance with the instructions of a registered veterinarian.

This fact sheet outlines the exemptions and appropriate levels of care for wildlife:

Veterinary Care for Wildlife(opens in a new window)