Optical absorption and emission spectra of Dy3+ ions in oxyfluorotellurite glass were investigated at room temperature in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) region. Oscillator strengths, phenomenological Judd–Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters Ω2,4,6, radiative transition probabilities, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes of luminescent levels were determined. Decay curves of the 4F9/2 luminescence of incorporated Dy3+ ions were recorded and analysed. Lifetimes and the luminescence dynamics were studied as a function of the Dy2O3 concentration. It was concluded that good thermal stability combined with desirable spectroscopic parameters of investigated dysprosium-doped oxyfluorotellurite glass point at the suitability of this material for the design of UV-excited visible phosphors.