Illegal dumping is a significant issue for governments and land managers across Victoria. It is found in our bushland, vacant lots, roadsides and waterways, making it one of the most visible and prevalent signs of pollution in our environment.

In Victoria, if waste is dumped, abandoned or buried at a site that is not an authorised place, the disposal of that waste is illegal.

The $8.5 million Illegal Dumping Clean-Up Rebate Program is part of the Victorian Government’s response to the negative impact illegal dumping has on our environment and waterways and the significant impact to local council services and community perceptions of safety and community pride.

It provides support to local government authorities and other land managers for clean-up activities of illegally dumped waste.

The rebate program guidelines detail eligibility requirements and conditions.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

  • Local government authorities
  • Crown land Committees of Management
  • Parks Victoria
  • Department of Transport and Planning (VicRoads and VicTrack)

Who cannot apply?

  • Individuals
  • Private sector businesses and agencies
  • Sole traders
  • Educational institutions
  • Not for profit organisations
  • Unincorporated organisations
  • Victorian or other state government agency or body (unless explicitly listed as eligible)
  • Incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust
  • Individual partners on behalf of a partnership
  • Incorporated joint ventures
  • Consortia applications with a lead organisation
  • Applicants who do not hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).

Funding information

How much funding is available

Applicants may apply for rebate claims up to:

  • 50% of costs up to $250,000 per claim and capped at $500,000 per council or Crown land Committees of Management organisation per financial year.
  • 25% of costs up to $75,000 per claim and capped at $150,000 per financial year for Parks Victoria and Department of Transport and Planning (VicRoads and VicTrack).

What might be funded?

Eligible expenses include:

  • contractor costs in relation to the collection, transport and disposal of illegally dumped waste
  • rental of equipment required for waste disposal e.g. skip bin, trailer, bobcat
  • waste disposal at a place authorised to receive it.

What will not be funded?

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • insurances (e.g. public liability, volunteer, motor vehicle)
  • recurrent operational expenses
  • purchase of equipment or vehicles (heavy machinery, motor vehicles, boats)
  • site rehabilitation expenses
  • administrative costs, including project management and wages
  • sampling equipment
  • uniforms
  • cost associated with fleet hire, purchase or maintenance
  • litter clean ups and events
  • standard hard waste collection services provided by councils
  • illegally dumped household hard waste
  • disaster waste.

What is the timeline?

The rebate program as outlined in the guidelines covers clean-up activities occurring between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, or until funds are exhausted—whichever comes first.

DEECA will review the guidelines and process and may make recommendations to the Minister for Environment for future years. Eligible organisations will be advised of future year programs well in advance of 30 June 2026.

What are the funding conditions?

Key conditions include:

  • minimum volume of waste: 2.5m³ or 2.5 tonnes
  • the clean-up area is confined to a single dump site in a confined localised area
  • all avenues to trace the perpetrator must be exhausted or infeasible
  • waste must be cleaned up after 1 July 2025 and disposed of legally
  • photographic and documentary evidence must be provided.

Further conditions, legislative and regulatory requirements, tax implications, payments and privacy conditions are further detailed in the rebate program guidelines.

Submitting an application

How to apply

Applications and supporting documents need to be submitted online using the DEECA Grants Online portal:

New application
Return to a draft

Guidelines and supporting documents

What supporting documents need to be provided?

  • A signed statutory declaration with invoices and receipts for eligible equipment and disposal charges attached.
  • Map showing location of affected property within the surrounding catchment, approximate locations of dumped material on the property.
  • Photographs of illegally dumped piles showing scale of issue and main type of material and impact.
  • Photographic evidence of the area after clean-up.
  • Relevant site inspection reports.
  • Quotes relating to the clean-up.

Contact

If you require assistance submitting your application online, email grantsinfo@deeca.vic.gov.au.

For rebate program queries, please email: illegal.dumping.rebate@deeca.vic.gov.au.