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:

Each year the Conservation Regulator identifies and implements a set of regulatory priorities. These priorities help us ensure our focus is on the greatest environmental risks, and what is most important to the Victorian community.

The Conservation Regulator’s regulatory priorities for 2023-2024 are:

• illegal campfires
• illegal take of firewood
• cruelty to wildlife
• protection of threatened species
• illegal commercial timber harvesting
• illegal vehicle use.

The Victorian Government has announced the transition away from commercial native timber harvesting on 1 January 2024,(opens in a new window) and as the regulator of native timber harvesting, the Conservation Regulator will continue regulatory oversight of the industry until that time.

As part of DEECA’s commitment to regulatory transparency, the Conservation Regulator has prepared a publication of our regulatory priorities which can be found at Regulatory Priorities 2023-2024(opens in a new window).

The Conservation Regulator’s regulatory priorities for 2024-25 are: 

• Illegal campfires  
• Illegal take of firewood  
• Illegal vehicle use  
• Protection of threatened species  
• Cruelty to wildlife 

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 DELWP 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:

One-DELWP: Strategic Framework provides the building blocks for our department's strategic and delivery plans. The framework ensures ​we have a future direction and clear outcomes for Victorians and how we will assess our progress.

The Conservation Regulator has published its Year in Review 2022–23, outlining the achievements and progress made in the 2022–23 financial year.

2022–23 saw significant outcomes achieved through education and enforcement across our regulatory priorities while effectively addressing the challenges posed by the wetter than normal weather conditions.

We would like to thank our regulatory partners and stakeholders for their contributions in helping to establish and progress the priorities of the Conservation Regulator.

Read the full report at Year in Review 2022–23.

Our previous Year in Reviews can also be found below:

• Year in Review 2021–22
• Year in Review 2020–21
• Year in Review 2019–20

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.

The Conservation Regulator has created new guidance to help people report sightings of Greater Gliders in state forests.

Surveying for and recording Greater Glider sightings correctly is important as they help ensure protections are put in place.

The guide outlines what survey methods and information is required to submit a valid Greater Glider report to the Conservation Regulator.

Read more at Guidance Note -  Reporting detections of Southern Greater Gliders

To view the summary of feedback received visit: Engagement Summary: Reporting detections of Southern Greater Glider

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 at 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 at Wildlife Demonstrator Licence Guide: Things you need to know

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: 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)