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Legislation and Regulation

Fish monitoring

Victoria depends on its abundant natural resources - including minerals, energy, fish and forests - to contribute great economic value to the State.

Our responsibilities include allocating natural resources to productive uses. We achieve this through the development and management of market arrangements where possible, and placing strong emphasis on achieving maximum efficiency of market operations and competitive tendering processes.

We also contribute to the efficiency of markets established under statute through the provision of goods and services. For example, through the regulation of distribution businesses in the national energy markets and the relocation of the Melbourne wholesale fruit and vegetable market.

We ensure resource use is sustainable and that it generates financial benefit to the state by:

  • surveying and monitoring the location, quantity and nature of key resources
  • encouraging best-practice behaviours through the provision of education, inspection and enforcement services
  • protecting the quality and safety of primary products by building and maintaining Victoria's capability to monitor, detect and respond to disease, pest and residue incidents, outbreaks and other biosecurity threats
  • promoting our biosecurity program to our trading partners
  • enhancing access to international markets to primary producers through the development of new supply chain practices.

Enforcement

We have primary responsibility for administering legislation governing agriculture, animal welfare, fisheries, and energy and earth resources.

Read more about our enforcement responsibilities and activities.

Fees and charges

We are responsible for collecting fees under regulations for a variety of activities including:

  • fishing licences
  • mining rights
  • exploration licences.

We are also responsible for collecting monies for fines for improper conduct.

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives people the right to request access to documents held by the Department.

Major DPI Acts

We administer and respond to queries regarding 38 major Acts.

You can purchase copies of Victorian Government legislation from the Information Victoria bookshop.

Privacy

We value and protect all personal information collected in the course of undertaking our responsibilities and always demonstrate a strong culture of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of individuals and clients.

Regulatory reform

We play a role in regulatory reform through consultation with stakeholders and the public about the potential burden new or amended regulations may raise. We are also committed to reducing regulatory burden.

Tenders and contracts

Details of tenders and contracts for all departments within the Victorian Government provide important information for suppliers and service providers who may wish to do business with us.

Whistleblowers protection

We take all reasonable steps to protect people who come forward with a disclosure about improper conduct by public bodies or public sector employees (these people are sometimes referred to as whistleblowers).

Read more about Whistleblowers protection