Strong, long-term biosecurity measures will remain central to managing the ongoing risk of H5 bird flu, with temporary requirements for poultry producers in metropolitan Melbourne and specified coastal and adjacent areas ending on 16 October 2026.
Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke thanked the poultry industry for their ongoing support and is strongly encouraging all poultry producers to continue to use all practical measures to prevent and minimise contact between poultry and wild birds.
Keeping poultry separated from wild birds wherever possible, protecting feed and water from wild bird access and preventing wild birds from entering poultry sheds and yards remains critical to managing the risk of H5 bird flu.
Forecast hotter than average summer temperatures, together with animal welfare considerations support ending the temporary requirements.
Since 2022 the Victorian Government has invested more than $130 million to boost our preparedness to rapidly respond to biosecurity threats.
The successful eradication of H7 avian influenza from poultry farms in 2024 and 2025 demonstrated the strength of Victoria's response capability, however, the H5 variant differs from previous strains and can cause the deaths of large numbers of wild birds and some mammals.
The governments' investment in surveillance and detection technology like mobile diagnostic and forward command centre equipment, as well as technical expertise and surge workforce capability, position Victoria strongly to response to a detection of H5 bird flu in poultry farms.
Over recent weeks, Agriculture Victoria has worked closely with industry and poultry producers to undertake surveillance of disease spread and support strengthened biosecurity preparedness. Providing additional assurance that now is the right time to lift these temporary and targets biosecurity requirements.
Poultry producers should continue to review their biosecurity plans, remain alert for signs of disease on or near their property and stay up to date with the latest advice.
The Chief Veterinary Officer has the authority to implement future Control Orders under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994, for the purpose of controlling H5 bird flu if the current situation were to change.
There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in Australian poultry or livestock, however the risk remains as detections occur in wildlife across the state.
