Rodeos in Victoria

In Victoria, an individual permit or an annual licence is required to operate a rodeo and an individual permit is needed for a rodeo school. Application and issuing of licences/permits and conditions for operation of rodeo/rodeo schools are regulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Act 1986 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008. Current versions of the Act and Regulations are available on the legislation page.

Applications for licences or permits must be made at least 28 days prior to the rodeo commencing, or in the case of a an application for an annual licence 28 days prior to the first rodeo to be held under the licence (see below for application forms). Details of each rodeo held under an annual licence must still be notified to the Department of Primary Industries 28 days prior to the rodeo commencing (notification form attached).

The POCTA Act, POCTA Regulations and the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Rodeo and Rodeo School Livestock in Victoria set the minimum standards for the welfare of animals used in rodeos and rodeo schools in Victoria.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the below documents. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Reader (external link)

Conditions of operating a rodeo or rodeo school, listed in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008, Part 3	Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations (PDF 818KB)
Application Form for a Permit to Operate a Rodeo	20081216 Form - Application to operate an Individual Rodeo (PDF 31KB)
Application Form for a Permit to Operate a Rodeo School	20081216 Form - Application to operate a Rodeo School (PDF 33KB)
Application Form for a Rodeo Licence	20081216 Form - Application for a Rodeo Licence (PDF 31KB)

For further information about rodeos in Victoria contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.