There are a number of laws which underpin the role of the Conservation Regulator. Find laws relating to our areas of regulatory responsibility.
Public land
The Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 provides a framework for the public land management system in Victoria. The Act gives key responsibilities to the Secretary to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and includes overarching administrative, financial and enforcement provisions for the administration of public land.
Related regulations:
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Contracts) Regulations 2021
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Infringement Notice) Regulations 2023
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Wildlife (Game) Infringement Notices) Regulations 2023
- Conservation, Forests and Land (Fisheries Infringement Notices) Regulations 2023
The Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 enables public land to be reserved for various public purposes, including recreation, conservation and the development of public utilities. It sets rules for the management and use of this land. Public land reserved under this Act is primarily regulated by Parks Victoria.
Related regulations:
- Crown Land (Reserves) (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022
- Crown Land (Reserves) (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
- Crown land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004
The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) creates a framework for the protection of Victorian flora and fauna. It describes the procedures for the listing of threatened species and threatening processes and for making critical habitat determinations and habitat conservation orders. It also sets out provisions for the management of protected flora.
Related regulations:
- Flora and Fauna Guarantee Regulations 2020
The Forests Act 1958 provides for the management and use of State forests. It regulates the take and use of natural resources in forests, including the collection of firewood and the issuing of Forest Produce Licences (used to authorise seed collection and other activities). It also regulates the management of fire on public land and sets general rules for how forests can be used by the community.
Related regulations:
- Forests (Fire Protection) Regulations 2025
- Forests (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022
- Forests (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
- Forests (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2019
- Forests (Recreation) (Temporary) Regulations 2021
The Land Act 1958 governs public land that hasn’t been set aside for a particular public use. This includes coastal land, waterway land and pockets of land between other types of public land. This Act covers a broad range of matters of land administration including the sale of public land and issuing leases, licences and permits.
Related regulations:
- Land Regulations 2016
- Land (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
- Land (Regulated Watercourse Land) Regulations 2021
The Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Act 1972 and the associated regulations set rules about the use of vehicles on public land. It aims to prevent environmental damage from off-road use and sets general rules for the use of roads and parking areas on public land.
Related regulations:
- Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Regulations 2024
The Marine and Coastal Act 2018 provides an integrated and coordinated approach to planning and managing the marine and coastal environment in Victoria. This aims to protect the coastline and address long-term challenges such as climate change and population growth. For example, it contains offences for unauthorised development on coastal land.
The National Parks Act 1975 governs the management and use of National and State parks in Victoria. These areas aim to ensure conservation and enable recreation in areas of environmental and cultural significance. National and State parks are primarily regulated by Parks Victoria.
Related regulations:
- National Parks Regulations 2024
- National Parks (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
The Safety on Public Land Act 2004 enables the declaration of public safety zones. These zones may be declared ahead of large public recreational events, planned burns and for the protection or rehabilitation of ecologically sensitive sites.
The Wildlife Act 1975 defines which animals are wildlife and declares all wildlife as protected from harm (with exceptions). The Act sets the rules to protect, conserve, sustainably manage and use wildlife in Victoria. It also regulates how people engage in activities related to wildlife including responsibilities, offences, licences and authorisations.
Related regulations:
- Wildlife Regulations 2024
- Wildlife (State Game Reserves) Regulations 2024
- Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023
- Wildlife (Marine Mammals) Regulations 2019
- Wildlife (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
Wildlife/biodiversity
The Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 provides a framework for the public land management system in Victoria. The Act gives key responsibilities to the Secretary to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and includes overarching administrative, financial and enforcement provisions for the administration of public land.
Related regulations:
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Contracts) Regulations 2021
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Infringement Notice) Regulations 2023
- Conservation, Forests and Lands (Wildlife (Game) Infringement Notices) Regulations 2023
- Conservation, Forests and Land (Fisheries Infringement Notices) Regulations 2023
The Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 enables public land to be reserved for various public purposes, including recreation, conservation and the development of public utilities. It sets rules for the management and use of this land. Public land reserved under this Act is primarily regulated by Parks Victoria.
Related regulations:
- Crown Land (Reserves) (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022
- Crown Land (Reserves) (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
- Crown land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004
The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) creates a framework for the protection of Victorian flora and fauna. It describes the procedures for the listing of threatened species and threatening processes and for making critical habitat determinations and habitat conservation orders. It also sets out provisions for the management of protected flora.
Related regulations:
- Flora and Fauna Guarantee Regulations 2020
The Forests Act 1958 provides for the management and use of State forests. It regulates the take and use of natural resources in forests, including the collection of firewood and the issuing of Forest Produce Licences (used to authorise seed collection and other activities). It also regulates the management of fire on public land and sets general rules for how forests can be used by the community.
Related regulations:
- Forests (Fire Protection) Regulations 2025
- Forests (Domestic Firewood) Regulations 2022
- Forests (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
- Forests (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2019
- Forests (Recreation) (Temporary) Regulations 2021
The National Parks Act 1975 governs the management and use of National and State parks in Victoria. These areas aim to ensure conservation and enable recreation in areas of environmental and cultural significance. National and State parks are primarily regulated by Parks Victoria.
Related regulations:
- National Parks Regulations 2024
- National Parks (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) aims to prevent cruelty to animals, encourage considerate treatment of animals and improve community awareness about preventing cruelty to animals. It is the principal legislation for the welfare of all animals, and specifies offences for cruelty. Cruelty offences include any act or omission where unreasonable pain or suffering is caused, or where there is a failure to provide appropriate food, water, shelter or veterinary treatment, and behaviours such as wounding, tormenting and poisoning.
Related regulations:
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2016
The Wildlife Act 1975 defines which animals are wildlife and declares all wildlife as protected from harm (with exceptions). The Act sets the rules to protect, conserve, sustainably manage and use wildlife in Victoria. It also regulates how people engage in activities related to wildlife including responsibilities, offences, licences and authorisations.
Related regulations:
- Wildlife Regulations 2024
- Wildlife (State Game Reserves) Regulations 2024
- Wildlife (Game) Interim Regulations 2023
- Wildlife (Marine Mammals) Regulations 2019
- Wildlife (Tour Operator Licence Fee) Regulations 2021
Updated