Department of Health

Key messages

  • If you need to hire a professional pest control operator, make sure they are licensed.
  • The pest control licence holder register is searchable, and provides details for all current pest control operators licensed in Victoria.
  • There are two licence statuses and three licence authorisations.

If you need to hire a professional pest control operator (PCO) who charges a fee for treating pests in your home or business, it is important to make sure that the operator is licensed. This ensures that they have attained an appropriate qualification.

The department licenses individuals who operate or are employed by a pest control business, and apply pesticides to control insects and pest animals.

The pest control licence holder register provides details (name of pest control operator and licence expiry date) for all current pest control operators licensed in Victoria.

The register allows you to search for current pest control licence holders. For any additional information, contact the department.

Licences and authorisations

There are two options for the status of a pest control licence:

  • fully qualified technician
  • trainee under supervision.

There are four licence authorisations:

  • General authorisation (excluding timber pests) - permitting a pest control operator to use pesticides (except fumigants) that have been formulated for the control of any pest, to control any pest (including rodents) expect a pest animal or timber pests.
  • General authorisation (including timber pests) - permitting a pest control operator to use pesticides (except fumigants) that have been formulated for the control of any pest, to control any pest (including rodents and timber pests) except a pest animal.
  • Pest animal authorisation - permitting a pest control operator to use pesticides formulated to control pest animals and to protect: an area in a building used for commercial purposes; or domestic premises; or privately owned land adjacent to domestic premises.
  • Fumigant authorisations, permitting a pest control operator to use pesticides in the form of fumigants.

Search for a licensed pest control operatorExternal Link .

Reviewed 10 December 2021

Health.vic

Contact details

Phone hours are: 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Direct all other enquiries to the pest control email address.

Pesticide Safety Program

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