Australia’s native wildlife is in crisis. Every year, hundreds of thousands of sick, injured and orphaned animals rely on charities and volunteers for survival, with climate-driven disasters, habitat loss, road trauma and disease outbreaks are pushing frontline services beyond capacity. Yet there is still no national framework to coordinate or sustainably fund wildlife rescue, treatment and rehabilitation.

In 2024–25 alone, leading wildlife organisations responded to 320,968 calls for help, undertook 129,280 rescues, and admitted more than 51,000 animals to wildlife hospitals. The average cost of treating just one animal is $550 — largely borne by donations and philanthropy.

Despite wildlife being a national asset and a cornerstone of Australia’s biodiversity and tourism economy, there is no consistent national funding model or coordinated emergency response capability. Veterinary clinics are often required to treat wildlife free of charge, placing additional strain on an already overstretched system.

Australia urgently needs a National Framework for Wildlife Protection, Rescue, Treatment and Rehabilitation — with sustained federal investment, consistent standards, and integration into disaster and biosecurity planning.

In response to this growing national challenge, the Wildlife Consortium was formed in 2025. The Consortium brings together Wildlife Victoria, Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Group WA (WRAGWA) and Wildlife Recovery Australia — uniting decades of operational experience, data and frontline capability in wildlife protection, rescue, treatment and rehabilitation. Together, these organisations are working to strengthen coordination, elevate standards and advocate for a nationally integrated system of care.

If we are serious about preventing further population decline of threatened species and building resilience in the face of climate change and disease risk, we must move beyond a fragmented, crisis-driven model to a coordinated national system led by government in partnership with the Wildlife Consortium.

Wildlife Victoria, WRAGWA and Wildlife Recovery Australia are calling on the Australian Government to lead and fund a National Framework that recognises wildlife rescue and rehabilitation as an essential public service.

Add your name to support a National Framework for Wildlife Protection, Rescue, Treatment and Rehabilitation — and help ensure Australia’s native wildlife receives the coordinated care and protection it urgently needs.