Dingo licence guide

Owning a dingo – while rewarding – can be challenging and is not suited to everyone. A captive dingo is likely to bond quickly with one person to the exclusion of others, and a healthy relationship between a human and a dingo is likely to require substantial time and effort.

Dingoes are different from domestic dogs genetically, behaviourally and under Victorian law. Dingoes are wildlife, meaning that keeping a dingo has additional requirements compared to keeping a domestic dog.

The health and wellbeing of any dingo held under licence must be prioritised in accordance with the licence conditions outlined in this guide, while also ensuring the safety of the rest of the community, including other animals.

Dingo licences are private licences, meaning that they allow the holder to keep dingoes for private purposes only. Dingoes may be held for commercial purposes under other licences, for example a Demonstrator Licence.

Anyone in possession of a dingo must hold a dingo licence, 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. Standards designed to achieve these objectives which you are required to follow are outlined in the legislation and as conditions of the dingo licence.

This guide outlines the conditions of all dingo licences as outlined in legislation and listed on the licence. It sets out the objectives of each requirement and provides information about how to comply.

Some guidance provided is not mandatory but will assist licence holders in meeting their requirements. All conditions and requirements are set out in this publication.

To get started, download a copy of the pdf, or click on the link relating to the condition or requirement you would like to learn more about below. More detail about whether keeping a dingo is right for you, wildlife licences and the role of Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers can be also found by clicking the links below.

Images in this guide are for illustrative purposes only. These images represent both Victorian and interstate wildlife possession.

Sections of this guide