Dingo licence guide

Dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) are an iconic Australian species. They are a keystone predator across the Australian mainland and have an extended social and cultural history with both Traditional Owners and European settlers. Dingoes are listed as a protected species under the Wildlife Act and a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Taking care of a dingo can be rewarding – and challenging

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.

Is a dingo right for you?

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.

• Before acquiring a dingo, you should carefully consider whether you have the appropriate space, lifestyle and resources to provide appropriate care for this wildlife. Additionally, consider the following: Licence holders must be 18 years of age or over. Children under 16 are not able to access dingoes unsupervised at any time, so a dingo licence is likely not appropriate for any household that includes children under 16.
• Dingoes have intact predatory instincts and a strong prey-drive, meaning keeping dingoes alongside companion animals that may be perceived as prey (e.g., rabbits, cats, birds, small dogs), or alongside livestock, may not be appropriate unless all species can be safely and securely separated.
• Dingoes can be timid and are generally sensitive to strong or novel stimuli, especially noises, and may be display anxiety when exposed to busy or unfamiliar settings. Dingo wellbeing may suffer if repeatedly exposed to overwhelming or overstimulating situations, so loud or high activity households are likely not appropriate places for dingoes to be kept.
• Dingoes are intelligent, curious and require significant mental stimulation for good health and welfare. Bored dingoes may damage property, hunt inappropriate prey, or escape and roam. A dingo licence may not be appropriate where the dingo will be left alone for regular extended periods (e.g., full time work away from the premises) or where appropriate time and resources for play and engagement cannot be provided for a dingo.
• Dingoes may, in limited situations, perceive unfamiliar dogs as a threat and in response display territorial aggression. However, dingoes are highly social animals, and dingo wellbeing may be improved with companionship from either a familiar or responsibly introduced dog or another dingo – as long as the animals are of suitable temperament and similar size, and interactions are reasonably monitored.
• Dingo housing standards require a large area with secure fencing (see Dingo enclosures(opens in a new window)). If your property cannot accommodate such enclosures, keeping a dingo is not appropriate for your circumstances.

Dingoes held under a wildlife licence do not need to be registered with your local council under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. However, local governments may have restrictions on how many animals, including wildlife, a person can keep at their property. You should check with your local council regarding any restrictions before applying for a dingo licence.

See Dingo enclosures(opens in a new window)

What a dingo licence allows you to do

A dingo licence holder can keep dingoes for non-commercial purposes, either as a companion or non-commercial exhibition animal. Dingo licences are a type of Private Wildlife Licence, created under the Wildlife Act. It is an offence to own a dingo without holding a relevant licence.

Specifically, a dingo licence holder can:

• Possess and keep dingoes at the premises specified in the licence.
• Display a dingo at shows conducted by a canine association, or for educational, but not commercial, purposes.
• Breed, buy, sell, trade or transfer ownership of any dingo held under the licence. A transaction must only occur with another licensed person.
• Walk a dingo or participate in any obedience training under appropriate restraint.

Dingoes held under a private dingo licence can only be kept at the address specified on the licence, generally being the residential address where the licence holder resides. Dingoes kept in captivity must be kept in an appropriate enclosure.

By following the licence conditions, Dingo Licence holders can help dingoes in their possession to thrive while also safeguarding the community.

Please note that the Conservation Regulator may apply additional conditions to your licence that restrict the above entitlements, in accordance with section 22(3)(b)(ii) of the Wildlife Act.

What you cannot do under a dingo licence

A dingo licence holder cannot:

• Possess wildlife other than dingoes under a dingo licence.
• Display wildlife for commercial purposes.
• Take, keep or possess wildlife at a location other than the premises specified in the licence for any reason other than:
  • Exercise or obedience training while restrained (for example, on a lead or harness).
  • Taking it to a registered vet for treatment.
  • Displaying a dingo at shows conducted by a canine association, or for educational, but not commercial, purposes.
  • When buying, selling, trading or transferring ownership of a dingo with another licence holder at the specified premises of either of the licence holders entering into the transaction.
• Undertake activities or keep a dingo that in a way that would pose a risk to the health and safety of the community or the dingo.
• Take wildlife from the wild or keep wildlife that has been taken from the wild .

If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please contact an authorised wildlife rehabilitator. If you are not sure who is authorised in your area, visit Help for injured wildlife or call us.

Commercial possession of dingoes is facilitated under a wildlife demonstrator licence (for travelling display or exhibition) or wildlife displayer licence (for static display/exhibition).

Visit Help for injured wildlife(opens in a new window)

Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

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

This includes monitoring possession of dingoes under a dingo licence and supporting licence holders to understand and meet their legal responsibilities. Where dingoes are not kept in accordance with licence conditions, Authorised Officers may seek enforcement action to preserve wildlife welfare and ensure the safety of the community and other animals.

Authorised Officers are authorised under specific legislation to enforce the law, including issuing infringement notices that carry penalties for not complying. Under the Wildlife Act, Authorised Officers have the power to, at any reasonable time, and having regard to the circumstances:

• Enter, inspect or search any property, buildings, structure, vehicles or boats for the purposes of the Wildlife Act. This can occur with or without notice.
• Ask to see, inspect or take photos of any wildlife held under your authorisation or wildlife licence.
• Ask to see, inspect or make copies of your record books and any other documentation associated with your authorisation or wildlife licence.
• Inspect any parcel, bag or receptacle the officer reasonably believes is being used or is likely to be used in contravention of the Act (for example, a cardboard box they believe holds wildlife; a hunter’s bags or esky).
• Investigate reports of alleged illegal activity relating to wildlife.
• Seize wildlife in your possession, if the officer reasonably believes an offence against the Act has been, is being, or is about to be, committed.
• Seize anything which the officer believes has been used or has assisted with an offence against the Act.
• Direct you in writing to make specific changes or alterations to animal enclosures. This must be done within the period specified in the direction.

If requested, you must:

• Give the Authorised Officer your name and address.
• Allow an Authorised Officer to inspect wildlife held by you (including inside your house at any reasonable. time) for monitoring compliance with the Wildlife Act, regulations and conditions of your licence. If you don’t provide reasonable access to all wildlife you hold, your licence may be cancelled.
• Produce your record book for inspection.
• Allow the Authorised Officer to search your vehicle, boat or property.
• Provide anything the Authorised Officer tells you is seized.
• Comply with any legal notice issued under the Wildlife Act regarding wildlife in your possession.
• Not obstruct, threaten or abuse an Authorised Officer during the conduct of their duties.

You can expect our Authorised Officers will act with honesty, impartiality and in a way that is procedurally fair. We will engage with you respectfully and in good faith and we ask that you do the same. Whilst we will undertake a number of activities to support you to understand and comply with the laws we regulate, the responsibility for complying with the law rests with you as a wildlife licence holder.

You have rights when interacting with an Authorised Officer, including the right to ask to see an Authorised Officer’s identification, not answer any questions that you think might incriminate you, request a receipt for anything seized from you (including wildlife), and request that an officer visit your home at a more reasonable time. You will be informed of your rights if you are being interviewed about an offence. You must, however, state your full name and correct address if asked.

If you have a complaint about the way an Authorised Officer or Forest and Wildlife Officer has interacted with you, you can submit a complaint to the Department by emailing or writing to us. Further information about our complaint handling process is available on the DEECA contact webpage.

Failure to comply with the law

Failure to comply with the conditions, limitations or restrictions of your licence is an offence under section 22(6) of the Wildlife Act. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 100 penalty units (over $19,000) and may result in your licence being suspended, cancelled, or not renewed.

Penalties for cruelty

In addition to your wildlife licence conditions, you must adhere to other relevant legislation. The welfare of all animals in Victoria is protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act). Anyone who commits an act of cruelty is liable for an offence under the POCTA Act. Failure to comply with some of the conditions of your licence may also be an offence under the POCTA Act.

The penalties for offences under the POCTA Act are serious. Penalties include fines of over $40,000 or jail for up to 12 months for animal cruelty (for individuals), and fines of over $80,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for aggravated cruelty. Aggravated cruelty is an act of cruelty that causes the death or serious disablement of an animal.

Penalties for illegally‑obtained or -traded wildlife

When obtaining or trading dingoes, you must ensure that the other person has a current and valid wildlife licence that allows them to keep and trade dingoes. If you are not sure if a wildlife licence is valid or required, do not proceed with a transaction and email us for advice. It is illegal to obtain or trade wildlife without a valid licence.

Under no circumstances can you possess any dingo obtained from the wild. In Victoria, sick, injured or orphaned wildlife can only be rehabilitated by a wildlife rehabilitator. A wildlife rehabilitator is a wildlife shelter operator or foster carer who is authorised under section 28A of the Wildlife Act.

It is an offence to possess wildlife from an unlawful source under sections 45 and 47 of the Wildlife Act. This includes animals from the wild.

Offences under section 45 carry a penalty of 240 penalty units (over $45,000) or 24 months imprisonment, or both the fine and imprisonment and an additional penalty of 20 penalty units (over $3,500) for every head of wildlife in respect of which an offence has been committed.

Offences under section 47 carry a penalty of 50 penalty units (over $9,500) or six months imprisonment, or both the fine and imprisonment and an additional penalty of five penalty units (over $900) for every head of wildlife in respect of which an offence has been committed.

• Visit Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window)

• Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

• Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

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

The power for the Conservation Regulator to apply these conditions is provided in Section 22(3)(b)(ii) of the Wildlife Act 1975. Note that you may be required to comply with additional conditions set out in your dingo licence, so make sure you read your licence carefully.

Dingo housing and care

Dingo enclosures

Objective

To ensure that dingoes are protected from harm, prevented from escaping, and are safely contained.

Dingoes are intelligent, curious, and agile, which can mean that if a dingo is not appropriately contained it is likely to roam. Unrestrained, unsupervised roaming of any dingo presents risks to the health and safety of:

• The dingo, through potential misadventure.
• Humans that may approach and scare the dingo, resulting in defensive behaviour.
• Wildlife and domestic animals, including dogs.

Dingoes exhibit a high prey drive and are naturally territorial, so they may attack or injure other animals when not appropriately restrained.

How to comply

Your dingo enclosure must be constructed prior to applying for a dingo licence, and a licence will not be issued if an appropriate enclosure has not been constructed.

Enclosures are required to be secure and prevent escape. This means the materials used to build the enclosure must be appropriately robust and installed and maintained in a manner that prevents dingoes from damaging the enclosure and finding weak points for escape. The fences of any dingo enclosure must at minimum:

• Be at least 3 metres in height, or 2 metres with either:
  • A roof.
  • A 1 metre return on a 45° angle into the enclosure.
• Prevent escape of dingoes or external access from any animal by digging, meaning the fences must, for the entire fence perimeter, be one of:
  • Anchored into a cement slab at the base of the fence.
  • Have a 1 metre inward facing mesh return secured to the base of the fence at a right angle; this mesh return may be buried in the enclosure substrate (below ground surface) but must meet the fence base at a right angle and must provide an uninterrupted barrier preventing digging around the fence base.
  • Provide a combination of the above escape mitigations.

Enclosures must be childproof and prevent access from any person not authorised to access the dingoes by the licence holder.

This means, in practice:

• The enclosure should not be able to be climbed into, so must be roofed or constructed in such a way that the fence, vegetation and any other structures do not allow entry.
• The enclosure access points must be appropriately secured, meaning the gates must be locked. Even on private property, access cannot be secured without means of a lock.
• If the enclosure abuts a structure with windows or doors, these access points must also be kept locked.

You are limited in the number of dingoes you may keep under your licence by the mandatory enclosure standards. A minimum floor area of 30m² must be provided for up to two dingoes, with an additional 10m² for each additional dingo aged over nine months.

Overcrowding in dingo enclosures can lead to aggression between dingoes, which may result in dingo injury or death. Dingo overcrowding resulting in animal distress, injury or death may be considered a breach of your licence conditions, and potentially investigated as an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

You may apply to the Conservation Regulator for written permission to house dingoes in non-compliant enclosures. This permission cannot be issued retrospectively and must be sought prior to housing dingoes in no-compliant enclosures.

You can seek this permission by emailing us with details of your request, including circumstances preventing enclosure compliance, controls to mitigate potential detrimental welfare impacts, and plans to rectify non-compliant enclosures.

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Keeping dingoes in houses

Dingoes must be confined at the property in a way that meets the licence conditions. In practice, this means that dingoes should be kept in the constructed enclosure when at the licensed property.

However, many people obtain a dingo as a companion animal, and as a result want their dingo to have access to their house as a domestic dog would rather than containing the dingo in an enclosure.

While a dingo may be allowed reasonable access to indoor domestic spaces, the conditions of the dingo licence still require that:

• An appropriate enclosure meeting the specifications is available at the property listed on the licence.
• When in or confined to the domestic space, the dingo is at no point left unsupervised with any person under the age of 16, or anyone that does not have the licence holder’s consent to access the dingo (for example: room-mates, household guests, tradespersons).
• The dingo cannot escape (e.g., through house doors or windows).

If these conditions can’t be met, the dingo cannot be kept in or allowed access to domestic spaces.

Location dingoes must be kept

Objective

To ensure wildlife are kept in a consistent, safe and appropriate location.

How to comply

You must keep dingoes held under your licence at the address listed in the licence except where you are:

• Exercising the dingo or taking them to obedience training.
• Attending a registered vet for treatment, including preventative health checks or microchipping.
• Displaying the dingo at a show conducted by a canine association.
• Displaying the dingo for educational, but not commercial, purposes.
• Buying, selling, receiving or giving away the dingo to or from another dingo licence holder at their specified premises.

Dingoes must be kept in purpose-built enclosures while at the licensed property, or otherwise confined at the property in a way that meets the licence conditions. Anyone who possesses wildlife including dingoes must provide for the good health and welfare of that wildlife.

Your enclosure must provide adequate shelter for any dingo in your care, prevent escape or injury, protect the dingo from predators, and restrict access by anyone not authorised under the licence. More information about standards of care and dingo enclosure requirements is detailed in Dingo housing and care.

Dingoes are active animals, so it is recommended that dingoes are walked every day. The exercise will provide interest and activity for the dingo and an excellent opportunity for bonding. When a dingo is not in its enclosure at the specified premises , the dingo must be appropriately restrained. This means that when walking a dingo, you must use a chain, cord, leash or harness to make sure the dingo is under your control. Under your licence conditions, you cannot let a dingo off its restraint – even in an off-lead area, as the risk to dogs or other wildlife is too high. Dingoes are sensitive to stimuli and can become easily distressed in a busy or noisy environment.

Further information on dingo restraint is provided at Restricting access to dingoes for human safety.

See Dingo housing and care

See Restricting access to dingoes for human safety

Keeping wildlife at a location other than the premises specified in your licence is a breach of licence conditions and penalties may apply. If you need to keep wildlife at an alternate location, you must seek prior written approval from the Conservation Regulator. You can do this by emailing us details of your request, including:

• Why you need to house your wildlife at another location.
• The species and number of wildlife.
• Details of appropriate enclosures and facilities at the alternate location.

You may transport a dingo to and from opportunities for exercise, obedience training, lawful display, or the vet. You must comply with conditions regulating wildlife transportation. Further information is available in the Transportation(opens in a new window) section of this guide.

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

See Transportation(opens in a new window)

Safe display and dingo interactions

Restricting access to dingoes for human safety

Objective

To ensure that people and other animals are protected from potential harm caused by captive dingoes.

How to comply

You must not allow people under the age of 16 unsupervised access to a dingo. If a person under 16 interacts with a dingo in your care, you must be present and keep the dingo under effective control. This includes members of your household who may feel comfortable around the dingo.

When people other than you interact with a dingo in your care, you must make sure that the interaction doesn’t present any risk of injury to people or wildlife. This means you should be present during any such interaction to observe dingo behaviour and respond appropriately.

Dingoes should be kept in the constructed enclosure when at the licensed property, or otherwise confined at the property in a way that meets the licence conditions. When not confined, dingoes must be effectively under your control. Trained recall generally would not be considered sufficient in most circumstances, especially where a dingo is exposed to other animals. A dingo should instead be under physical restraint such as a lead or harness.

If a dingo escapes your possession, you must the Conservation Regulator within two business days of the escape; however, it is best to provide this notification as soon as reasonably practicable. You can do this by completing the Notify Theft, Loss, Damage or Escape form(opens in a new window) available on our website below and emailing us the completed form.

You must also make all reasonable effort to recapture the dingo. This may include searching the local area, contacting local animal shelters, notifying local council and other steps relevant to your circumstances.

Please refer to Theft or loss of wildlife(opens in a new window) for further information on reporting.

See Theft or loss of wildlife

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Display of dingoes

Objective

To make sure that any display of dingoes occurs in a way that ensures both dingo and human safety.

How to comply

Dingoes may only be displayed for non-commercial educational purposes, or at a show organised by a canine association, such as a kennel or obedience club. If you intend to run a business or derive an income from display of dingoes, you will need to apply for a wildlife displayer licence. You may also be able to commercially display dingoes under a wildlife demonstrator licence with additional written approval from the Conservation Regulator. Find out more about these licence types on our website.

Visit Commercial wildlife licences, Licence types(opens in a new window)

Dingoes must not be left unattended when being displayed, or while not at the premises specified in the licence (except for when a dingo is undergoing treatment by a registered vet). As the licence holder, it is your responsibility to ensure that you, or a person authorised by you, is always present with the dingo to ensure its welfare and the health and safety of other dogs and people.

Young or unsure dingoes, or dingoes that haven’t been appropriately habituated to potentially exciting stimuli such as crowds, children, or large numbers of dogs, must not be displayed.

While displaying a dingo, it is best practice to make sure that the dingo has:

• Access to clean, cool water in a suitable container.
• Appropriate protection from the elements (wind, rain and sun).
• Access to food, if display occurs during routine mealtimes.
• Safety and security from unauthorised access and ability to avoid unwanted interactions.
• Protection from loud noises, vibrations and extremes in temperatures.

Display of any dingo should occur for the minimum time possible, to prevent the dingo from becoming stressed or agitated. Do not display a dingo if they are sick, injured or highly stressed.

Dingo transactions

Who can participate in a dingo transaction?

Objective

To ensure the welfare and sustainability of dingoes being possessed or traded. All dingo transactions are required to be traceable to captive origin or to a source approved in writing by the Conservation Regulator. Traceability allows the Conservation Regulator to monitor compliance with regulations governing dingo possession and trade, and to prevent wildlife poaching.

How to comply

Prior to entering any transaction to buy, acquire, receive, sell, or dispose of a dingo, check that the other party to the transaction has an appropriate licence which is current and valid.

In Victoria, appropriate licences include:

• Dingo licence.
• Wildlife demonstrator licence.
• Wildlife displayer licence.

You can ask to see a person’s licence prior to agreeing to the transaction. The holder of a private dingo licence must be at minimum 18 years of age.

In some cases, a person may have a valid exemption from holding an appropriate licence, either through the Wildlife Regulations or as issued in writing by the Conservation Regulator for a specific transaction. If so, you can ask to see proof of this exemption.

Regarding dingo transactions, the only relevant persons exempt from holding a licence as defined in the Wildlife Regulations is Zoos Victoria (such as an employee operating on behalf of the Zoos Victoria organisation). It is your responsibility to ensure the person you are conducting a transaction with has an appropriate and valid licence or exemption for the dingo subject to the transaction.

Any trade outside of Victoria may require an import/export permit(opens in a new window).

If you are unsure whether a licence or exemption is applicable to your situation or valid, or to seek information about obtaining written approval from the Conservation Regulator, call or email us. The Conservation Regulator can advise you on what to look for to determine whether a licence is valid, and generally what licence types are eligible to participate in a transaction. They cannot advise you as to whether a specific person holds a wildlife licence.

All transactions must be recorded in your record book by the close of the same business day. Further information about record keeping is available in Record keeping requirements(opens in a new window).

See Import/export permits(opens in a new window)

See Record keeping requirements(opens in a new window)

Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Restrictions on dingo transactions: trade of juveniles

Objective

To ensure dingoes are weaned and independent prior to trade.

How to comply

You can only trade dingoes once they are older than seven weeks and both weaned (see Restrictions on dingo transactions: dependent wildlife(opens in a new window)) and microchipped (see Marking of dingoes for identification purposes(opens in a new window)).

Dingoes must be independent of their mother prior to trade, and microchipped so that legitimate captive origin can be determined through record keeping.

If you need to trade dingoes before they are seven weeks of age, you must apply for written approval for alternative arrangements by emailing us with details of your request, including:

• Why the juvenile dingoes need to be traded prior to seven weeks of age.
• The number of juvenile dingoes affected.
• Whether the juvenile dingoes are weaned.

See Restrictions on dingo transactions: dependent wildlife(opens in a new window)

See Marking of dingoes for identification purposes

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Marking of dingoes for identification purposes

Objective

To ensure dingoes can be identified. Appropriate identification allows dingoes and owners to be reunited if any escape occurs, as well as limiting illegal trade of dingoes by ensuring animal traceability.

How to comply

All dingoes older than seven weeks must be microchipped. Dingoes acquired without a microchip must be microchipped as soon as practicable after they come into your possession, and the microchip number recorded in your licence record book. Dingoes bred in captivity must be microchipped before they reach seven weeks of age as supported by the advice of a registered vet.

In addition to a microchip, a dingo must, when not confined at the premises listed on the licence, wear a collar that allows you to be contacted if the dingo escapes your control and is found at large. This means that if a dingo does escape, the likelihood of you being reunited with the dingo is much higher. Listing your licence number also assists in interactions with local councils regarding dog registration – identifying a dingo as such clarifies that the animal does not need to be registered with the local council.

Management of escaped dingoes

Objective

To manage the health and safety of dingoes, people and other animals when a captive dingo escapes or is at large.

How to comply

If a dingo escapes your control, you must do everything reasonably within your power to regain control over the dingo. This may include searching for the dingo, notifying local vets and shelters of the dingo escape, and ensuring community awareness that the dingo is at large and providing a point of contact if the dingo is sighted. Any communication with third parties should include the number, colouration, and location last seen of the dingo or dingoes.

You should ensure your details associated with the dingo’s microchip are up to date with Victorian Central Animal Records and mark the dingo as missing. You can also notify local council and vet clinics the microchip number of your missing wildlife so you can be reunited with the dingo if it is received by either of these groups.

You also have obligations to notify the Conservation Regulator that the dingo is missing. Please refer to Theft or loss of wildlife(opens in a new window) for further information on reporting.

See Theft or loss of wildlife(opens in a new window)

Additional dingo licence conditions

Appropriate enclosures must be available to house all dingoes under the licence

Objective

To ensure that dingoes kept under a dingo licence are always able to be housed in suitable enclosures. This includes preventing acquisition until appropriate enclosures are available and preventing dingoes from moving to a new location under licence unless housing is safe for both dingoes and the community.

How to comply

Before you buy, trade, or otherwise receive a dingo, you must ensure that you have enclosures that meet the minimum standards set at Condition 1 of your licence, as described in Dingo enclosures.

This also applies when you move house. Moving your dingoes to a new address without first building appropriate enclosures is a breach of your licence conditions, so ensure enclosures meeting the minimum standards set at Condition 1 of your licence, as per Dingo enclosures, are built and ready to house dingoes prior to moving.

For additional notification obligations when moving wildlife to a new address, see Change of details.

See Dingo enclosures

See Change of details(opens in a new window)

Provision of food and water

Objective

To ensure that the fundamental survival needs of dingoes are met, being access to appropriate food and clean water.

How to comply

All animals need access to clean water and food that meets the species’ nutrient requirements to survive. Providing food and water is fundamental to animal welfare and failing to provide sufficient or appropriate food and water is considered animal cruelty in Victoria.

Water

Dingoes drink regularly throughout the day regardless of weather conditions, though they need up to a litre per day per dingo in sunny conditions. Clean water must always be freely available to access in any dingo enclosure, and if the dingo is kept in the house water must also be available there.

Outside of the specified premises, use a common-sense approach regarding the reasonable provision of water:

• While water is not necessarily required for short periods of transport, water should be offered during extended journeys (multiple hours), during hot conditions, or on arrival to your destination, if appropriate (for example, if the dingo may vomit the water due to illness or nerves at the vet, provision of water is not necessarily required). Water provided during transport should be in a sturdy, spill proof container.
• Water is not necessarily needed during regular exercise, unless the exercise is strenuous, for extended duration (for example, multiple hours) or in hot conditions.
• If a dingo is displayed for non-commercial educational purposes or at a show organised by a canine association, water must be provided if it is hot, or if display extends for multiple hours.

Food

The information provided here is intended to be used as guidance, and you should develop an appropriate diet for your dingo in consultation with your registered veterinarian or a person with experience keeping dingoes.

Dingoes benefit from a varied diet low in processed products, including a raw meats and bones. Dingoes have an inability to digest starches common in many human foods, so provision of human food should be avoided. For this same reason, many dingoes will reject or suffer poor nutrition on commercially available dog foods, depending on the composition including presence of additives.

Appropriate foods include bones, wet or dry grain-free dog food (preferably raw whole-food in origin), raw meat (including part or whole chickens, fish or rabbits), eggs and organ meat are suitable components of a dingo diet.

Care should be taken that no cooked bones are provided, as they present a choking or injury hazard; and that any raw rabbit, kangaroo, or sheep are frozen for four weeks (to kill known pathogens including tapeworm) prior to provision to dingoes as food.

Dingo feeding presents a key opportunity for enrichment. Varying the diet, providing regular small meals (generally two times a day) and presenting meals in a way that challenges and engages captive dingoes, can reduce boredom and improve welfare. Food based enrichment activities include:

• Freezing commercially-available dead chicks, rats or mice in ice blocks.
• Scatter feeding, where food is spread around the feeding area, including in natural features such as grass, dirt or rock crevices (only use in the absence of food aggression or where dingoes are able to forage individually without interference).
• Providing raw bones to chew. Additionally helps with dental hygiene.
• Dragging food items throughout the enclosure then hiding them to create a scent trail for the dingo to pursue.
• Providing insects, such as crickets, in the enclosure can engage predatory instincts or provide a novel stimulus for investigation. Dingoes will consume insects as part of a wild diet.
• Varying feed times, so that dingoes are not in routine and waiting for food per an expected routine.
• Introducing small amounts of canid-safe herbs or spices to foods or to the enclosure around feeding times as novel scents for investigation.
• Wrapping food in leather or hide to promote chewing, gnawing or pulling behaviours.

Dingoes should be fed individual meals separately (preferably with a physical barrier in place) to reduce risk of aggression based on hierarchical dominance, where some dingoes may exclude others from accessing resources.

Where dingoes are known to exhibit food related aggression, they must be fed separately to ensure that each dingo receives sufficient appropriate food as required by the licence conditions.

Provision of medical care

Objective

To ensure that dingoes receive appropriate veterinary care to address illness or injury, and that dingoes do not unnecessarily suffer from lack of medical treatment when required.

How to comply

It is important to monitor your dingo daily to detect any emerging health and wellbeing issues such as illness or injury. Daily observational health checks should note, at minimum:

• Food and water intake.
• Faeces production, including frequency and consistency.
• Any notable behaviour changes, such as increased lethargy, avoidance of other animals.
• Injury, as indicated by bleeding, limping, or avoidance of touch.
• Coat condition, including shedding or changes to skin condition.
• Any presence of ticks or external parasites.
• Any unusual discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth or any other orifice.

Any changes to the above health indicators away from the expected baseline for the individual dingo can indicate declining health or illness. It is critical that developing illnesses or changes in behaviour are investigated quickly on detection, as many diseases to which dingoes are susceptible may have a poor prognosis if treatment is not provided quickly, or the health issue is prolonged.

To further support the health and wellbeing of your dingo, it is recommended that proactive methods to maintain health where possible and in accordance with veterinary advice. This may include annual vaccination (for heart-worm, as well as canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine hepatitis and canine parainfluenza) or use of proactive or preventative parasite treatments, including worm, flea, mite and tick treatments, which can be administered orally, topically, or with medicated cleaning products.

Preventative health care can reduce veterinary costs, extend the life of your dingoes, and significantly contribute to their overall health and wellbeing. Some parasites carried by dingoes can be transmitted to humans, so preventative treatments to protect the health of you and your dingoes are recommended in accordance with veterinary advice.

Keeping up to date medical and general health records can assist you in identifying trends in health and behaviour for your dingo over time. It is recommended you keep relevant health records for future reference, which may include:

• Veterinary reports or test results.
• Prescription information.
• A record of medication given, including vaccination dates.
• Any other relevant observations.

These records can assist in prompt appropriate treatment if your dingo develops any health issues.

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

Wildlife welfare and care

Wildlife housing and care

Objective

To ensure you provide appropriate permanent housing that provides for the good health and welfare of any dingo held under your licence.

How to comply

You must ensure enclosures meet the needs of any dingoes held under your licence. Below is a list of basic requirements. These are the minimum standards that should be provided to all wildlife.

Adequate shelter

Provide protection from the elements such as rain, wind, direct sun, or snow; and any extremes in weather. This includes appropriate opportunities for a dingo to regulate its body temperature, such as shade; and covered dry areas for all dingoes in the enclosure to retreat from rain.

The landscapes dingoes occupy in the wild provide a range of landscape features that may serve as shelter, and dingoes in the wild have the opportunity to seek shelter during poor weather conditions.

Dingoes in captivity have the same requirements, therefore every dingo enclosure should have access to enclosed, covered shelter – being a structure either natural or built that can withstand sustained adverse weather conditions and allows a dingo to retreat from the weather into a secure area.

Shelter may be provided by a kennel, artificial den, shed or similar, but it should at minimum provide a space for each dingo in the enclosure with the dimensions of 1 metre depth, 0.8 metre width, and 1 metre in height, with an access point that limits as much as possible exposure to wind for any dingo inside.

This space, as well as protecting dingoes from the weather, can support dingoes to retreat from sight if fearful, nervous, or unwell.

The shelter described does not replace the need for access to shade in the enclosure more generally. During hot conditions, dingoes may prefer to be in the open air instead of an enclosed shelter and should have the opportunity to do so without direct sun exposure.

Prevent escape or injury

Enclosures must be designed to prevent the escape of wildlife. For dingoes, mandatory construction standards to prevent escape are provided in Dingo enclosures.

Captive dingoes have a demonstrated capability to manipulate features such as bolts or latches given opportunity and will readily learn how gates may be opened after observation of human activity. It is highly recommended that these internal access points are also locked, or at minimum latched in a way that prevents dingo manipulation.

Enclosures must be appropriately maintained to reduce risk of injury (e.g., through loose wires, sharp edges, or rusted/corroded surfaces) and to prevent escape through degradation of enclosure barriers.

Enclosures must be of an appropriate size and dimension to suit the physical characteristics and behaviour of the animal. Dingoes in the wild roam over large areas. While minimum enclosure dimension recommendations are provided, consider providing the largest enclosure possible at your premises for the dingo to facilitate improved wellbeing and the exhibition of natural behaviours.

Only house compatible wildlife types together. Dingoes should not be housed with any other wildlife species.

See Dingo enclosures

Protect wildlife from predators

Enclosures must prevent access from animals that may be considered predators, including incompatible or unfamiliar domestic dogs.

Restrict access by unauthorised persons

Enclosures must be secured to prevent unauthorised access. Given that dingo enclosures are generally large and outdoors, in practice this means that access points must be locked.

Additional dingo housing and care considerations

Enrichment

In the wild, dingoes regularly range over hundreds of kilometres in natural landscapes with varied features that provide novelty, as well as access to social and hunting opportunities.

While a direct replication of dingo wild habitat is difficult in an enclosure, the enclosure should contain a variety of safe furnishings to encourage dingo interaction with the enclosure environment and support the expression of natural behaviours, such as digging, climbing, or foraging (e.g. following scent trails through vegetation).

The base of any dingo enclosures should not be majority artificial substrate (e.g., concrete, artificial turf). Dingoes need access to soil, lawn, garden, or other natural substrate sufficient to allow rolling and digging behaviours. Any artificial substrate within the enclosure should be kept to a minimum.

Using rocks, logs, and planted vegetation can encourage natural foraging behaviours, especially when these features are used during feeding to provide enrichment. Guidance on food-based dingo enrichment is available at Provision of food and water. See also this Zoos Victoria Healesville Sanctuary YouTube video(opens in a new window).

Rocks and logs also allow dingoes to access high points, which in some dingoes can be a preferred location to rest. Artificial structures providing height, such as a raised platform or climbing frame, may also be used. Any enrichment features must be placed in the enclosure in a way that does not facilitate escape of any dingo.

See Provision of food and water

Visit Enrichment tips from a dingo keeper, Zoos Victoria Healesville Sanctuary, YouTube(opens in a new window)

Hygiene

You should clean dingo enclosures every day to remove any dingo waste, included faeces and uneaten food. This waste should be disposed of in accordance with your local waste requirements. Enclosures should be monitored for vermin access and occupation, and hygiene maintained to reduce the presence of rats and mice that may be killed and eaten by dingoes or expose dingoes to diseases including bacterial infections and parasites.

Dingo group dynamics

Aggression between enclosures

Dingoes in the wild will hold and defend territory against other dingoes to maintain control of resources within that territory. Dingoes in captivity may see their enclosure as their territory, and as a result may exhibit aggression if they believe that territory or the resources within are being encroached on by neighbouring or newly introduced dingoes.

Where sustained or increased aggression is observed following the introduction of new dingoes into an enclosure, the new animal should be removed to prevent injury.

Male dingoes may lunge and bite at fences when another male dingo is on the other side, which may lead to mouth damage and sustained high stress. The use of metal sheeting or other opaque, solid material as a visual barrier between enclosures may reduce the expression of territorial defence and reduces the risk of tooth or mouth injury for biting and lunging.

Observations of dingo behaviour over time can help to determine whether dingoes are experiencing sustained stress, and prompt further controls to reduce exposure between incompatible dingoes.

Breeding

If dingoes are kept in groups, for best practice animal welfare it is recommended that any breeding only occurs when deliberate and planned, where the welfare of the dingo adults can be maintained, and where appropriate enclosures are available to house all dingoes, including any pups. Methods to restrict breeding when not appropriate may include:

• Physical separation of males and females (that is, confinement to different enclosures).
• Chemical fertility treatments (for example, contraceptive implants or other medications).
• Surgical fertility treatments (for example, spaying or neutering of adults).

Welfare of adult dingoes during breeding

Before you allow dingoes to breed, the adult female should be older than one year of age. Although some female dingoes may reach physical sexual maturity (that is, they are capable of bearing pups) from nine months of age , pregnancy in Dingoes below one year of age is not recommended.

Dingoes younger than one year old may be considered adolescents, and their hormone levels are subject to significant fluctuation. In the wild, there is evidence that less than 40 per cent of adult female dingoes younger than two years of age were sexually mature. Allowing breeding prior to this age may interrupt natural hormonal maturation and impact the health and wellbeing of the dingo as she ages. For example, there is a correlation between poor adult joint health and disruption of natural adolescent hormonal fluctuations.

Under no circumstances should sick, injured, or otherwise infirm dingoes (for example, malnourished) be allowed to breed.

During breeding season – March to August – dingoes may become aggressive. If you have more than one dingo, it may be useful to separate dingoes during breeding season to prevent injury. It is recommended that the introduction of new people, animals, items or situations is reduced during the breeding season, especially if a dingo has observable behavioural changes.

Weaning of pups

The weaning of dingo pups can start from around three to five weeks of age, as dingoes move around their landscape more freely. In the wild, pups are fully weaned at around three to four months, though in captivity pups may be removed earlier without adverse welfare outcomes (at around seven to eight weeks).

• Dingo pups cannot be removed from their mother before they are fully weaned.
• Dingo pups once weaned can be rehomed to other persons that are licensed to keep dingoes.

See Restrictions on dingo transactions: dependent wildlife

Housing of pups

As pups are weaned, adult dingoes may change their behaviour towards these juveniles – switching from care taking and food provision to exclusion from food and escalating aggression. In the wild, this encourages dingo young to move into new territories to support healthy populations across the landscape. As dingoes cannot self-disperse from a secure enclosure, licence holders should actively monitor adult dingo behaviour towards any pups, and intervene as required to prevent injury, sustained stress or exclusion from resources, or other avoidable harm being caused to any dingo. This may require construction of additional enclosures, if dingo pups cannot be rehomed by the time they are removed from the parental enclosure.

Transportation

Objective

To ensure dingoes are transported in appropriate enclosures that prevent injury, stress and disease, and risk to people.

How to comply

Dingoes must be restrained during transport to prevent injury to the dingo and to people. This may be achieved, for example, either:

• When transported in a car, using a travel harness (such as those used for domestic dogs) that restricts movement.
• When transported via any means, including in a car, by use of an appropriately sized animal crate constructed of sufficiently robust material to prevent escape (such as coated metal or rigid plastic) and secured to prevent the crate from moving during transit.

Transport can be stressful for dingoes, and dingoes should be provided access to water and opportunity to toilet at minimum every two hours during transport. Additionally, monitoring of the comfort and wellbeing of the dingo should occur at this time.

Animals should be in a fit state before being transported. Sick or injured animals should not be transported except to allow for the provision of veterinary care, with precautions taken to minimise further stress or injury.

Any equipment used to transport a dingo must be clearly and securely labelled with the details of the licence holder including the licence number.

If you are consigning wildlife to transport for long periods, such as interstate travel, additional measures may be required to maintain the animal’s health and welfare. Further permissions are also required, as detailed in Import/export permits.

See Import/export permits

Restrictions on dingo transactions: dependent wildlife

Objective

To ensure the welfare and survival of dependent, sick or juvenile dingoes and prevent the spread of disease.

How to comply

Do not enter any transaction where the dingo is dependent, diseased, sick or injured.

If any dingo in your care is diseased, sick or injured, you must take it to a veterinarian for assessment as soon as possible.

Unweaned juvenile dingoes (where the mother’s milk – or a milk replacement, where the mother is not able to feed the pups – still forms part or whole of the dingoes’ diet) must not be traded.

This condition does not apply where you have written approval from the Conservation Regulator to buy, sell, dispose of, consign or transport wildlife to which this regulation applies. Trade of dependent wildlife will only be considered where animal welfare can be protected. Applications for written approval can be submitted via email.

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Restrictions on the interbreeding of dingoes

Objective

To prevent the interbreeding of dingoes with any animal that is not a dingo. Crossbreeding of different taxa can lead to species atypical genetics that may modify species behaviour, health and wellbeing.

How to comply

Ensure you keep any dingo separate from intact domestic dogs, especially during breeding season. Interbreeding with domestic dogs can produce viable offspring that do not look like or behave like dingoes but may retain some dingo behaviours or instincts that can pose a risk to people and other animals. Current research indicates that dingo-dog hybridisation is exceedingly rare in the wild(opens in a new window).

Under regulation 124 of the Wildlife Regulations, it is an offence to permit a taxon of wildlife to interbreed with another taxon of animal that is not wildlife, unless the person first obtains the written approval of the Conservation Regulator. A dingo is an example of a taxon of wildlife. A dog (Canis lupis familiaris) is not considered wildlife, therefore interbreeding (negligent or intentional) between a dog and a dingo held under licence is considered an offence under this regulation, and may be subject to enforcement action.

Visit New scientific research on dingo genetics and populations in Victoria(opens in a new window)

Wildlife transactions

Import/export permits

Objective

To prevent wildlife trafficking by regulating the trade of wildlife between States and Territories. To ensure that only wildlife legally able to be held in Victoria is transported from interstate, and that wildlife leaving Victoria meets the laws of the destination jurisdiction.

Trade monitoring also assists in reducing or tracing the spread of disease and ensures the health and welfare of wildlife being imported and exported.

How to comply

You can apply for a permit and complete your notification of outcome for a permit online, or you can download and complete the relevant form, from our website.

Please allow three to five business days to process your application.

Further information, including import and export restrictions and cases where an import/export permit is not required, is available at Import and export permits for Victorian wildlife(opens in a new window). If you are unsure, call or email us.

Visit Import and export permits for Victorian wildlife(opens in a new window)

Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Advertising sale of wildlife

Objective

To ensure wildlife is only possessed and traded by those with an appropriate licence.

How to comply

You can only trade wildlife with a person who holds an appropriate licence. This means a wildlife licence that is current and allows them to keep that species of wildlife.

You must include your licence number when advertising wildlife for sale. This allows others to be satisfied that the advertisement is lawful. When purchasing wildlife, ask to see the seller’s wildlife licence and make sure it’s valid before completing the transaction.

Record keeping requirements

Record books

Objective

To ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all wildlife transactions in Victoria, and to ensure that captive wildlife has come from a lawful source.

How to comply

Relevant transactions include purchases, sales, import, deaths, gifts, breeding and escapes.

Your Wildlife Record Book is used to record all wildlife transactions, including dingo transactions. You cannot keep and trade dingoes until you have received both your licence and record book.

All record books for all wildlife licences are supplied by the Conservation Regulator and remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Making or keeping records that are inaccurate or false is an offence under the Wildlife Act.

To comply with this condition, you must:

• Ensure entries are recorded on the same day that a transaction occurs.
• Ensure entries are permanent and legible.
• Request an additional record book from wildlife licensing if you no longer have sufficient pages to record your dingo transactions.
• Retain all record books you have been issued while you hold a licence or possess wildlife.
• Return your record book to the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days should you choose not to renew, or surrender your dingo licence.
• Return your record book to the Conservation Regulator if your licence is cancelled.

If you lose or damage your record book, you must report your loss by emailing us within two business days. There is a fee for each book lost or damaged.

Please refer to Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form for further information.

See Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Annual return forms

Objective

To provide a state-wide overview of the volume and species of wildlife currently being possessed and traded in Victoria, which helps to ensure we have the right legal framework in place. This record keeping also provides a mechanism for the Conservation Regulator to prevent illegal trade of wildlife and understand where wildlife may not be provided with appropriate care.

How to comply

Your return is a summary of the wildlife transactions you conducted under your licence in the 12‑month period between 1 April and 31 March. Information contained in the returns is confidential.

You must submit a completed return form by 14 April each year. You must also keep a copy for your returns for future reference.

A Return Form must be submitted even if you:

• Have not bought, sold, traded, or otherwise acquired any dingoes.
• Do not currently have dingoes in your possession..

If you have no dingoes in your possession and have not acquired or disposed of any dingoes throughout the year (including births, deaths, escapes and transactions), you must mark your return as ‘Nil’ and submit it by 14 April.

If you have acquired or disposed of any dingoes (including births, deaths, escapes and transactions), or if at any time in the return period you have had wildlife in your possession, you must indicate these events on your return and indicate the number of dingoes in your possession as of 31 March of the year the return is submitted.

You may submit your return at Wildlife licence annual returns(opens in a new window).

If you are unable to complete the online form, you can request a form by calling or emailing us.

If you do not submit a return, you may not be eligible to renew your licence. Additional penalties may also apply if these obligations are not met.

Visit Wildlife licence annual returns(opens in a new window)

Call DEECA Customer Contact Centre 136 186

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Do not tamper with record books or return forms

Objective

To ensure record books and return forms are a true and accurate representation of wildlife possession and trade in Victoria.

How to comply

Record books and return forms are legal documents. They must be accurate and include all wildlife in your possession or legally traded.

Record books and return forms remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Tampering with them in any way is an offence. Tampering includes erasing or editing entries, removing pages, or otherwise damaging records.

All entries in your record book, and on hard copy return forms, must be permanent and legible. You must write in your record book with a pen in black or blue ink.

If you make a mistake when filling in an entry, you should:

• Strike a line through the entry.
• Write your initials and date of the correction next to the corrected entry.

You cannot use white out or other methods to cover up entries. You also cannot remove any pages from your record book.

Additional record keeping obligations

Objective

To ensure oversight of all wildlife transactions in Victoria, while maintaining the confidentiality of licence holders.

How to comply

Keep your record book and return forms at the address specified on your dingo licence and in a secure location to prevent loss or theft.

Under the Wildlife Act, you must provide a copy of your record book, licence and return forms to Authorised Officers when asked. Authorised Officers have the power to – at any reasonable time with regard to the circumstances – ask to see, inspect or make copies of record books and any other documentation associated with your dingo licence.

The record book and return forms remain the property of the Conservation Regulator. Should you choose not to renew your licence, or your licence is cancelled, you must return your record book to the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days.

If you are provided with a written direction to surrender your wildlife record book by the Conservation Regulator, you must surrender all record books and return forms by the date specified.

Reporting

Theft or loss of wildlife

Objective

To uphold the health and wellbeing of wildlife in captivity, through appropriate monitoring and investigation of theft, loss or escape.

How to comply

If there has been a theft, loss or escape of a dingo in your care, you must:

• For suspected theft, report it to Victoria Police within two business days of you becoming aware.
• Retain a copy of the police report. If requested by an Authorised officer, you must produce a copy of the police report.
• Report the theft, loss or escape of wildlife to the Conservation Regulator by email within two business days of becoming aware of the loss.
• Record the theft, loss or escape of wildlife into your record book.

Theft, loss or damage of record book or return form

Objective

To ensure the integrity and confidentiality of records.

How to comply

You must report the loss, theft or damage of your Wildlife Record Book or Annual Returns to the Conservation Regulator by email within two business days of becoming aware. You can do this by completing the Notify Theft, Loss, Damage or Escape form available on our website(opens in a new window), and emailing us the completed form.

Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

Email wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Change of details

Objective

To ensure licence details are up to date and the person responsible for the dingo licence is identifiable.

How to comply

You must notify the Conservation Regulator within 10 business days of any changes to the details listed on your licence, including changes to your name, contact details, residential address and/or specified premises. Licences are not transferable to another person. You can do this by completing the form available at Commercial licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window).

An amended licence will be posted to you.

Your residential address is the specified premises where a dingo must be kept in accordance with your licence. If you change your specified premises, the new premises must have a dingo enclosure meeting the specifications detailed at Dingo enclosures, and the Conservation Regulator may ask you to provide details of the enclosure at the new property and/or Authorised Officers may visit to inspect whether the enclosure meets the required specifications.

See Dingo enclosures

Visit Private licence obligations and record keeping(opens in a new window)

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