Gene technology laws and regulations in Victoria

Key messages

The Victorian Gene Technology Act 2001 (the Act) and the Victorian Gene Technology Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) regulate gene technology in Victoria.
The Department of Health administers both the Act and the Regulations.
Both the Act and Regulations work in unison to protect people and the environment from the risks posed by genetically modified organisms in Victoria.

How Victoria regulates gene technology

In Victoria, the Victorian Gene Technology Act 2001 (the Act) and the Victorian Gene Technology Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) mirror Commonwealth law.

The Act and Regulations allow the use of gene technology techniques, under licenced conditions, for research and commercial purposes. The Department of Health administers the Act and Regulations.

A different piece of legislation, the Control of Genetically Modified Crops Act 2004, focuses primarily on farming and market concerns on the use of genetically modified crops.

About the Gene Technology Act

The Act is a legal document. It puts in place regulatory measures in Victoria to protect the health and safety of people and the environment. It does this by identifying and managing risks posed by gene technology. The Act provides for the Regulations.

About the Gene Technology Regulations

The Regulations support the operation of the Act. They do this by providing directions and technical details on how gene technology should be used in Victoria. They make sure gene technology is used safely and in line with the Commonwealth laws. The Regulations make sure that industries which use gene technology, such as research and agriculture, do so safely and responsibly.

A national regulatory approach for gene technology

The National Gene Technology Scheme (the Scheme) is Australia's regulatory framework for gene technology. It is underpinned by the Commonwealth laws and corresponding laws from all states and territories – including Victoria.

A National gene technology Regulator (the Regulator) is appointed under the Scheme. The Regulator, and their office, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), handles gene technology licence applications and compliance. The OGTR makes sure that gene technology applications are safe and can be managed to protect human health and the environment. The OTGR maintains a list of all active and current gene technology licence applications on their website.

Reviewed 07 August 2025

Health.vic

Contact us

genetechnology@health.vic.gov.au