Possums in the roof

Protected, both kinds

Brushtail and ringtail possums are wildlife under the Wildlife Act 1975, and it is illegal to kill, trap or disturb wildlife without a permit. The brushtail has one exception: a householder, or a licensed wildlife controller, may catch it in a trap that won't injure it and release it the same day, on the same property, within 50 m of where it was caught. Moving it further is not allowed. Trapping a ringtail needs a permit.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Victorian Government: Authorities to Control Wildlife 2025, Victorian Government: brushtail possum management methods and Manningham Council: native animals and insects.

Why it comes back, and how it stops

The state's advice is to watch where the possum comes out of the roof and block those gaps. The usual ways in are loose tiles or roofing iron, broken eaves, and holes in timber or brickwork. A one-way flap lets a possum leave but not come back. Prune branches that lead to the roof, leaving a gap of at least 1.5 m. A pest controller or a roofer can do the closing up.

Humane traps come from the local council or are hired from licensed wildlife controllers.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Victorian Government: brushtail possum management methods.

Droppings and Buruli ulcer

The Department of Health says mosquitoes and possums, mostly ringtails, play a part in spreading Buruli ulcer in Victoria. Its list of places where the disease is known to occur, updated 21 October 2026, names none in the Yarra Valley. Its advice is to cut down pooled water and fit insect screens.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Department of Health: Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer).

Asking for a quote

Say where you hear it and when, and send a photo of anywhere you think it gets in. Say if you think it's a ringtail, which is smaller with a white-tipped curling tail, because that changes what can be done.