Protect your fruit trees and protect wildlife too
Why This Matters
Many people don’t realise the netting used to protect backyard fruit trees can seriously injure or kill native animals.
Each year in Victoria, unsafe netting:
- Trap Flying foxes, gliders, birds, and possums
- Cause strangulation, deep cuts, broken bones and dislocated limbs
- Lead to death or lifelong injury
- These injuries are preventable with the right netting
Good netting protects your fruit and your local wildlife.
What the Law Says
Since 1 September 2021, it is illegal in Victoria to use fruit tree netting with holes larger than 5mm x 5mm when stretched.
This applies to:
- All private residential properties
- Sale or use of netting for household fruit trees
If you can poke your finger through it, it’s too big—and it’s illegal.
- Fine mesh = legal and wildlife-safe
- Large-holed, stretching netter = banned
Nocturnal animals often can’t see dark netting – they get caught trying to access fruit or even just passing by.
What is Wildlife Safe Netting?
Choose netting that is:
- Mesh size 5mm x 5mm or smaller (when stretched)
- White or light-coloured (easier for wildlife to see)
- Stiff, woven or knitted – not stretchy
- Tightly secured over the tree (no loose sagging or gaps at ground level)
Fruit tree bags or netting cages can also be great alternatives!
How to Use Netting the Right Way
- Wrap netting slightly over a solid frame – not directly over fruit branches
- Secure all sides to prevent wildlife from crawling underneath
- Remove netting after harvest to avoid accidental entanglement
- Check your trees daily for any trapped animals
What NOT to Use
- Old-style black, stretchy netting
- Netting with holes big enough to fit your finger through
- Loose netting thrown over trees without a frame
If you have this in use please remove ASAP.
Have Unsafe Netting? Here’s What To Do
Dispose of it responsibly:
- Cut into small pieces to prevent reuse
- Place in a sealed bag before binning
Found an Animal Trapped in Netting?
- Do not attempt to free it – this may cause more injury
- Keep your distance to reduce stress
- Call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300 or your local wildlife rescue group
Important to Know
If you find wildlife trapped in your netting and contact a rescue organisation, you won’t get in trouble. The focus is on helping the animal. However, if the netting is unsafe or no longer legal, you’ll be encouraged to remove and dispose of it as soon as possible—or the rescuer may be able to help. This ensures the safety of other animals and brings the setup in line with current regulations.
Learn More
- Wildlife Friendly Fencing offers guidance on wildlife-safe netting designs
- Download an official letters at Wildlife Victoria Wildlife Safe Netting explaining the current netting regulations.
Small Changes Save Lives
Switching to wildlife-safe netting is easy, affordable, and now the law.
Protect your fruit trees. Protect your wildlife. Do both – easily.
