Wildlife rehabilitation review report and recommendations

The Review and report into the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector discussion paper was prepared based on the terms of reference identified for the review. These terms were used to help focus the review on key areas for the sector, by outlining messages already heard to date and posing questions to further collect information on challenges and ideas for the future. 

The discussion paper was published on 4 September 2024, and submissions closed on 30 November 2024. A total of 563 public submissions were received. The content of the submissions was used to inform the review analysis, final report and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment in October 2025.

Please note submissions marked ‘confidential’ and those that raised legal or other concerns such as privacy or potential defamation have not been published. The core issues identified in these submissions were still taken into account as part of the review and preparation of the final report to the Minister for the Environment.

See copies of the published submissions.

A summary paper from the roundtable discussions is available at Stakeholder insights on wildlife rehabilitation: summary report from NSW roundtables. This feedback, along with other information gathered during the review via surveys and submissions, was used to inform the recommendations to the Minister for the Environment in October 2025.

Discussion paper: Review and report into the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector

To facilitate a focused approach for this review, terms of reference were identified to define key areas of examination and discussion.

1. Challenges for the sector, including future trajectories and risks

What are the challenges facing the wildlife rehabilitation sector in New South Wales? Have these challenges changed over time? Are these challenges on a trajectory of improvement or decline? What are the future issues and risks that the sector is likely to face?

2. Connections within the sector

How are wildlife rehabilitation groups connected to each other? Do they communicate and work together in training and mentoring, and sharing of resources? If not, what benefits could arise from ongoing connection? Are there barriers to this occurring? How could government assist communication and collaboration across the sector including interactions with local veterinary hospitals?

3. Service gaps and duplication

Across the sector, is there coverage across a range of species? What is the focus of each organisation and is this complementary to other organisations? Is there duplication within geographic areas, when diversification could be more beneficial? Where could future investments in wildlife rehabilitation assets be deployed?

4. Involvement of wildlife rehabilitation groups in emergency response or significant wildlife events

Are there other opportunities to formally include wildlife rehabilitators in emergency response? Are there opportunities to better support the sector to respond to significant wildlife related events, such as heat stress in flying foxes?

5. Administrative arrangements and legislative provisions relating to rescue and rehabilitation

Examine current arrangements, including legislation, administration, governance and policy and reporting frameworks for the wildlife rehabilitation and associated veterinary sectors to determine if they continue to meet the needs of the sectors and government and provide a robust framework.

6. Resourcing for the wildlife rehabilitation sector

How is the wildlife rehabilitation sector resourced and what current and future resourcing gaps exist? What opportunities are available to establish novel methods to supplement support and build a sustainable model for the sector?

7. Supporting accredited wildlife hospitals and veterinary practices for their work in treating injured wildlife

How can wildlife hospitals and other veterinary practices be supported in the provision of critical wildlife assessment and treatment services? What are the barriers to this occurring? What approaches might be suitable for resourcing these services? How can the data acquired from veterinary hospitals be integrated into a wildlife rehabilitation data management system?

Relevant papers

• Review of the NSW volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector
• NSW volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector strategy
• NSW volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector strategy 3-year report

Relevant consultations

• NSW Koala Strategy
• Independent review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (PDF 708KB)
• NSW wildlife in emergencies sub plan (PDF 493KB)
• Veterinary workforce shortage in New South Wales (PDF 1.6MB)