Wildlife Regulations 2024

Clarification that licence holders do not need to notify the relevant body (Conservation Regulator or the Game Management  Authority) of the death of their wildlife. Licence holders are still however required to notify the relevant body of the theft, misplacement (i.e. if they are lost) or escape of wildlife in their care;

33(2)

33(4)

In the case of theft, misplacement or escape of any dingo, licence holders must also notify the relevant body of the microchip of each escaped dingo within 2 business days (previously this only applied to the escape of dingoes held by Dingo Licence holders).

33(8)

33(4)

All licence holders are now required to notify the relevant body (Conservation Regulator or the Game Management Authority) of a change of phone number as well as changes to name and address.

36

36

Zoos Victoria is now defined as an ‘exempt person’ which means that licence holders can trade wildlife with Zoos Victoria without requiring the prior written permission of the Secretary.

5

The existing requirement for commercial wildlife licence holders to notify the relevant body of the details of their employees is now a condition of licence. Non-compliance with this requirement is now subject to a higher penalty rate.

23(1) and (2)

37(1) and (2)

Licence holders can no longer sell wild caught birds, or keep any birds taken. Control of birds listed on the Wildlife Controller Licences is restricted to lethal control via firearm in accordance with relevant legislation.

Licence holders can apply to the Conservation Regulator to sell or dispose of birds already in their possession to wildlife dealer, wildlife demonstrator and wildlife displayer licence holders with the written permission of the Conservation Regulator until 31 July 2024.

Applications for this secondary permission enabling trade may be lodged here under ‘Secondary Permissions’: https://www.vic.gov.au/commercial-wildlife-licences.

Licence holders who have unused bird rings will be contacted by the Conservation Regulator in July 2024 regarding procedures for the refund of royalties paid.

11, 64

12

Licence holders are no longer able to buy birds from wildlife controller licence holders, as wildlife controller licence holders are no longer authorised to sell wildlife (see above).

Wildlife displayers, dealers and demonstrator licence holders can, however, apply for a secondary permission from the Conservation Regulator to purchase birds from wildlife controller licence holders until 31 July 2024  .

Applications for this secondary permission enabling trade may be lodged here under ‘Secondary Permissions’: https://www.vic.gov.au/commercial-wildlife-licences.

11, 64

71(1), 80(1), 90(1)

Licence holders are no longer required to fence the entire perimeter of the premises specified in the licence. They are now required to fence the area in which the enclosures are situated on the premises specified in the licence, not the entire property.

67(1)

83(1)

Licence holders are now required to report the theft, loss and damage of their display records, which outline details of display opening and closing times, to the Secretary. This is consistent with the reporting requirements for record books and return forms.

33(5); 34

Licence holders are now required to report the theft, loss and damage of their demonstration records, which are used to provide details of demonstrations, to the Secretary. This is consistent with the reporting requirements for record books and return forms.

33(5)

35

Licence holders are no longer required to provide printed information in a form approved by the Secretary to anyone who buys or accepts wildlife from them.

Instead, the information can be in any form (it no longer needs to be printed) and must be provided to an Authorised Officer upon request and, any changes to the form required by that Authorised Officer, must be made within 5 business days of the request.

65(1)

69(1), 69(2)

A licence can now be issued for multiple adjoining properties rather than requiring a separate licence for each property.

59

20(3)

Licence holders can now process specified birds onsite as an entitlement of the licence. This was an oversight in the previous regulations.

16

Licence holders now have 48 hours (instead of by close of the same business day) to make an entry into their record book following any transaction or incident that they are required to record.

27(3)

27(5)

Licence holders no longer require the prior written approval of the Secretary to use wildlife specimens in commercial films. Approval is still required to display wildlife specimens at a location other than the premises specified in the licence.

73(1)

19(4)