Keeping Dingoes in captivity

Recent changes to the status of Dingoes

On 13 November 2008, the Dingo Canis lupis dingo was listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and as a consequence became protected wildlife under the Wildlife Act 1975 on 1 October 2010. Prior to this, Dingoes were classified as established pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act).

Standards for keeping Dingoes

Dingo Enclosures [MS Word Document - 21.0 KB]

Keeping Dingoes

From 1 October 2010 any person keeping Dingoes privately requires a permit under the Wildlife Act 1975. Any person displaying Dingoes requires a Commercial Wildlife Licence. The permits only apply to the keeping of pure Dingoes. Hybrid animals do not require a wildlife permit and are managed as other dogs under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and local laws.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for keeping Dingoes

Keeping Dingoes FAQ [MS Word Document - 47.5 KB]

To obtain a dingo permit you will need to apply to DEPI Wildlife & Game Licensing Services at:

DEPI Wildlife & Game Licensing Service
PO Box 500
East Melbourne
VIC 8002

A Dingo Permit is valid for three years and is free of charge. Application forms may be downloaded here:

Application for an Authority to Keep Dingoes [MS Word Document - 99.0 KB]
Conditions of an Authority to Keep Dingoes [MS Word Document - 40.5 KB]

The holder of an existing Commercial Wildlife (Wildlife Demonstrator) Licence may apply to the Secretary to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries for permission to acquire dingoes for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the ecology and conservation of wildlife via mobile (temporary) demonstrations. Any application must include evidence that new or modified enclosures to be used to house dingoes at the premises specified in the licence meet (or exceed) the minimum standards for Dingo Enclosures.

The holder of an existing Commercial Wildlife (Wildlife Displayer) Licence may acquire dingoes in accordance with the existing conditions of that licence. However, approval-in-principle must first be obtained for any new or modified enclosures to be used to house dingoes at the premises specified in the licence, before construction commences, in accordance with the conditions of the licence. New or modified enclosures must meet (or exceed) the minimum standards for Dingo Enclosures.

Acquiring Dingoes

The holder of a Displayer Licence or a Demonstrator Licence may only acquire dingoes from the holder of a valid Displayer Licence or a Demonstrator Licence or the holder of an ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ which lists the identification details of the dingo concerned.

The holder of a valid ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ must only acquire dingoes from the holder of a Displayer Licence or a Demonstrator Licence or the holder of an ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ which lists the identification details of the dingo concerned

The holder of a valid ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ must not acquire any dingo from any person until their Authorisation has been amended to include the identification details of the dingo concerned. (This does not apply to dingo pups under 3 months of age, which are bred from a dam (female parent) listed in the Authorisation).

Use the following Dingo Acquisition Form to add dingoes to your Authorisation.

Dingo Acquisition Form [MS Word Document - 84.0 KB]

Disposing of Dingoes

The holder of a Displayer Licence or a Demonstrator Licence must only dispose of dingoes to the holder of a valid Displayer Licence or a Demonstrator Licence or the holder of an ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ which lists the identification details of the dingo concerned.

The holder of a valid ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ must not dispose of any dingo or the holder of an ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ unless the Authorisation held by that person has been amended to include the identification details of the dingo concerned.

Note: As the holder of an ‘Authority to keep Dingoes’ you are legally responsible for all dingoes listed in that Authorisation, even if you no longer have that dingo in your possession. If a dingo dies or if you have disposed of a dingo, you should immediately have your Authorisation amended.

Use the following Dingo Disposal Form to remove dingoes from your Authorisation.

Dingo Disposal Form [MS Word Document - 84.5 KB]

Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.