2025 workforce changes

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) was established in 2016 and since that time has driven great fishing outcomes across Victoria.

The VFA has transitioned the 700-tonne commercial net fishery out of Port Phillip Bay and Gippsland Lakes, is now stocking 10 million fish a year (more than every state and territory in Australia combined), has made parking and launching at all public boat ramps in Victoria free and continues to work with the state’s 330 angling clubs to get more Victorians into fishing every day.

Across the state we have high compliance levels with our fishing rules and regulations. Mums and dads and most fishers obey size and bag limits and the community does not tolerate people trying to decimate our fisheries.

The VFA has progressed workforce changes and informed staff of a final structure, in order to adapt to evolving fisheries. The new structure reflects our continued commitment to protecting our fisheries while focusing more on education and engagement with the recreational fishing community in a way that positions the VFA for long-term success – in line with expectations and needs. The key elements of change are:

• A change in our staffing numbers from 192 to 157. Across the VFA there will be a reduction of 35 filled roles, including 15 Fisheries Officer positions.
• Increasing our focus on targeting deliberate organised fisheries crime through a Major Fisheries Crime Unit with additional resources.
• Reducing our current staffing profile on Port Phillip Bay to reflect the removal of the 700-tonne commercial net fishery, high compliance levels (90%) and to focus on deliberate poaching.
• Building stronger partnerships with external science providers to create efficiencies in our science and management areas.
• Closure of existing stations at Braeside and Altona. Stations at Cowes, Mornington and Queenscliff will remain, with four Fisheries Officers at each.

Things that will not change:

• All our Fisheries Officers will remain Authorised Officers who carry a badge and can issue fines and undertake inspections
• Our 13FISH reporting line will remain so fishers and the community can report illegal fishing.
• There will be no impact on recreational fishing licence money.
• There will be no impact on boating infrastructure funding.
• There will be no impact on fish stocking across the state.

The changes have been subject to consultation with affected staff and the relevant union (Community and Public Sector Union), as per the VPS Enterprise Agreement. We’ve listened to feedback and made adjustments to our structure. We recognise this is a challenging time and will keep providing support to our people.