National search for escaped Vic criminal

A national search is underway for a dangerous criminal who fled a Victorian correctional facility.

Andrew Darling fled Corella Place, a residential facility in Ararat, on Sunday morning after breaking off his satellite tracking device.

Police forces across the country have put out public alerts for Darling, 42, who Victorian police said was a "high-risk sex offender".

"Darling has been known to bunker down in the bush for days at a time and is also known to frequent licensed venues," a police statement said.

Darling was found in Queensland when he absconded from Corella Place in 2009.

He is described as Caucasian, about 176cm tall and of medium build. He has blue eyes, fair-coloured and close-cropped hair, and a fair complexion.

Darling has both his ears pierced and tattoos on his right lower leg, back and arms.

He may be wearing camouflage-coloured clothing.

Police urge anyone who sees him to call triple-zero.