many councils will have regulations regarding usage of private land that you own such as:
“A person must not reside in a caravan, makeshift dwelling or portable shed on any private land without a permit. Apply for a Living in Caravans or Portable Sheds Permit”.
this presumably does not apply to brief “camping” but to semi-permanent living in such a dwelling
“A property owner or occupier must not allow any person to reside in a caravan or on a property that is not connect to a reticulated sewage system or at anytime if that caravan or van is visible from a public area.”
“A person must not without a Permit locate a caravan, tent, or like structure on private property unless it is being used for storage or for the purpose of sale of such structure, and is not being used human habitation”.
“Except for cooking food outdoors a person must not burn or allow to be burned any matter in the open air without a permit. Apply for an Open Air Burning Permit.”
public land
councils will have regulations regarding usage of public land such as:
“A person must not without a Permit camp in the municipal district either on Council land or any public place in a tent, caravan, vehicle, mobile camper vans or other temporary dwelling or makeshift structure unless the land is a registered caravan park or camping ground.”
Some councils DO permit brief free camping in designated areas such as riverside camp sites - there is usually signage to this affect and these sites are generally listed on phone apps such as WikiCamps
sleeping rough is generally permitted for the homeless in many cities but camping is NOT
“It's not against the law to sleep rough. The Local Law includes provisions around camping in structures in public places, portable advertising and causing obstruction. ”
HOWEVER, “belongings should fit in 2 bags and must not include mattresses, furniture or tents which could be deemed as camping”
Activities Local Law 2019 clause 2.8 states: “Unless in accordance with a permit, a person must not camp in or on any public place in a vehicle, tent, caravan or any type of temporary or provisional form of accommodation.”
State forests:
you can generally camp in State forests without a permit or booking on a first come basis EXCEPT when the park is closed and this may include Code Red bushfire days
you generally CANNOT camp within 20m of a water way such as a river
if you camp on the river side of bollards, expect an unidentified contractor in a car to come around and take incriminating photos of the fact and then you will receive a fine in the mail in the coming weeks!
some DO require paying a booking fee BEFORE you get there such as:
Murrindindi - no phone reception there to pay online when you get there so book prior!
National Parks:
these may require booking and fees for camping in designated camp grounds (some may require several months pre-booking via a ballot system for peak periods)
some parks may allow camping as for State forests
most of these will ban pets, power generators and open fires
in general during a Fire Restriction Period (which is almost everywhere in Victoria in summer) for a wood fire or solid fuel BBQ, the wind must be < 10kph ie. leaves and small twigs must not be in constant motion, plus there are other requirements