1080 in Queensland

An overview of 1080 in Queensland

Frequently asked questions

  • The species targeted with 1080 poison in Queensland are dingoes, pigs, foxes, rabbits and cats.

    Queensland and Western Australia are the only states that permit the poisoning of cats with 1080 poison.

    Though these are the target species, many others are at risk when 1080 poison is used. You can learn more about non-target risks and secondary poisoning in the Evidence and Glossary sections of this website.

  • Depending on the target species, a range of bait materials are used in Queensland.

    Carnivores, like dingoes, cats and foxes, are targeted with meat baits and are often kangaroo flesh or offal from abattoirs. Other material used to target carnivores include bird eggs injected with a liquid solution of 1080 poison. Herbivores, like rabbits, are targeted with poisoned grain or carrots. As omnivores, pigs are targeted with meat, grains or seasonal fruits or vegetables.

  • Many landholders in Queensland participate in two coordinated baiting programs targeting dingoes every year. These are usually undertaken in early winter (between April and May) to target adults during breeding and again in early spring (between August and September) to target pups and juveniles. The Queensland Government advises that “additional baiting during the summer months to target young dogs may be effective”.

    Based on fox biology, the Queensland Government recommends 1080 baiting in Spring and June-July when food demand is highest. Surveys have found that most landholders bait in May and September in Queensland. This is because many are sheep farmers who concentrate baiting before and during periods of lambing.

  • There are a number of general requirements for using 1080 in Queensland. These relate to obtaining approval or permits to obtain and use 1080, where baits can be laid and how properties in the area must be notified.

    Baits in Queensland must not be laid:

    • on stock routes or reserves without approval

    • within 5m of a fenced boundary

    • within 50m of the centre line of a declared road

    • within 20m of a permanent or flowing water body.

    • within 5km of a town without approval.

    Landholders can only lay baits within 1km of any habitation, such as schools, houses or public facilities, after they provide written notification to everyone within 1km of the bait site.

  • Commercially manufactured 1080 baits can be bought from licenced retailers in Queensland.

    Some local governments also provide a 1080 baiting service in their districts. Landholders can fill out “expression of interest” forms in some councils to take part in baiting programs. Councils in Queensland can also provide landholders with 1080 baits at any time outside coordinated program dates if they can demonstrate “a justifiable need”.

    Landholders can also apply for a General Approval from Queensland Health to purchase and store manufactured baits.

  • Fluoroacetic acid is another term for 1080 poison. Queensland is the only state in Australia that has introduced a category of 1080 baits classed as “low-risk”. These are baits with less than or equal to 0.05% of 1080 poison per kilogram of bait.

    Under the previous laws that the Medicines and Poisons Act replaced, it was legal to obtain baits if they contained less than 0.03% of 1080. Most of the baits that are used, including those to kill foxes, cats and dingoes, contain less than 0.05% of 1080 per kilogram. Under the new laws, these are now considered “low-risk” even though the percentage of poison in them remains the same as they were under the earlier law.

    Landholders in Queensland can apply for an approval to buy and use these baits under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019. When they are approved, permit holders can purchase 1080 baits from a licenced retailer.

    The application to obtain and use “low-risk” baits is three pages long. The information required to obtain approval include details of where the baits will be used, where they will be stored, whether they have been convicted of an offence or have had a previous approval suspended or cancelled. Applicants must simply tick “yes” or “no” to confirm that they will comply with the relevant laws and standards.

    However, the application to obtain “low-risk” 1080 baits does not need to be completed by landholders. It can be completed by someone other than the property owner if they get consent to do so. People who participate in baiting programs organised by their council or if they obtain baits from an authorised officer under the Biosecurity Act 2014 or the Nature Conservation Act 1992 also do not need to obtain a permit or complete an application. These laws are outlined in the sections below.

  • Notifying neighbours

    Under Queensland law, neighbours of people engaging in 1080 baiting operations must be notified to allow them to take appropriate action.

    Before baits can be laid, they must give neighbours whose property is within 1km of the bait site at least 72 hours notice. This can be given either verbally or in writing.

    The notification must specify the dates between which baiting will occur and warning signs must be used on all land where baiting occurs.

    Warning signs

    Warning signs must be erected at all entrances to the property where 1080 baiting is undertaken and at the property boundaries leading to public thoroughfares. These signs must be erected immediately before baiting commences and remain in place for one month after 1080 baits have been laid. According to the Queensland Government, landholders who are undertaking extended baiting programs should display permanent signs for the duration of the baiting and should re-notify neighbours every six months.

    Warning signs must include:

    • the date the baits were laid

    • a contact telephone number

    • the toxin name (i.e., “1080”)

    • the target species

    • a warning that domestic animals and pets can be poisoned.

    Have you seen a warning sign in Queensland? Let us know.

  • No.

    Though dingoes are considered native wildlife and are protected on national parks under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and are protected in other areas under specific management plans, they are listed as a “restricted invasive animal” under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

    It is a legal requirement in Queensland to control dingoes on your property.

  • Baits and poisoned carcasses that are not recovered after the end of a 1080 baiting operation pose threats to dogs, birds and other native wildlife for some time afterwards.

    The Queensland Government recommends that all carcasses should be recovered for 14 days after the end of a baiting period and destroyed, burned or buried.

    This is not a legal requirement. Instead, they must only be recovered “to the extent possible”.

  • If you suspect a pet died from 1080 poisoning in Queensland, visit our step-by-step guide.

    If you need support, please contact us.

  • The relevant contact details are provided below.

    Simply click the email link to send an email opposing the use of 1080 today.

Laws, regulations and other instruments

    • Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 is Queensland’s primary animal welfare legislation. Section 42 permits the lethal control or management of wild animals if it is carried out “in a way that causes the animal as little pain as is reasonable”.

    • Biosecurity Act 2014 is Queensland’s primary biosecurity legislation. It is intended to protect Queensland from biosecurity threats, including unwanted wildlife. Under the Act, “prohibited matter” and “restricted matter” replace the “declared pest” classes under earlier legislation. For example, landholders in Queensland have a legal “biosecurity obligation” under the Act to “control” dingoes on their land. The Act contains a list of “restricted matter” considered “invasive”. Cats, dingoes, wild dogs, foxes, rabbits and pigs are identified in this list and are all targeted with 1080 poison in Queensland.

    • Nature Conservation Act 1992 provides the legal basis for the conservation of nature through managing protected areas and protecting native wildlife and habitat.

    • Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 is the principal piece of legislation controlling the use of medicines and chemicals, including 1080 poison, in Queensland. A key objective of the Act is ensuring that dangerous substances are used safely and do not cause harm to human health.

  • Departmental Standards

    • Dealing with restricted S7 poisons for invasive animal control is made under Section 233 of the Medicines and Poisons Act. It establishes minimum requirements for using restricted Schedule 7 poisons in Queensland. Like Codes of Practice, this Standard contains some mandatory requirements and some recommendations. The recommendations are not mandatory. The activities related to the use of 1080 poison covered by this Standard include transport and storage, notification of laying baits, preparation and laying of baits, placement of baits, record keeping, waste management and incident reporting.