From Bellarine to Byron Bay: Wildlife charities launch I Vote for Wildlife Campaign

As Australia’s native wildlife faces a crisis expedited by the effects of climate change and extreme weather events, Wildlife Victoria and Wildlife Recovery Australia have come together for a nationwide campaign, I Vote for Wildlife, calling for the federal government to commit to establishing a national framework for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

The two registered charities, operating independently in Victoria and New South Wales respectively, have partnered to ensure the best possible wildlife welfare outcomes through the rescue, rehabilitation, and veterinary assessment and treatment of native animals.

Following the stall of the national Nature Positive laws and ahead of the 2025 federal election, Wildlife Victoria and Wildlife Recovery Australia are advocating for a national framework to fund critical wildlife rescue, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Federal funding would support emergency wildlife responders, rescue operations, wildlife health research, training, rehabilitation programs and veterinary treatment of native animals – both in purpose-built wildlife hospitals and those in care with wildlife rehabilitators.

Currently, services provided by both organisations – such as Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Emergency Response Service and Travelling Veterinary Service, and  Wildlife Recovery Australia’s Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Byron Bay Raptor Recovery Centre rely heavily on public donations, philanthropy, and intermittent grant funding to continue to operate. This financial uncertainty places the survival of Australia’s unique native wildlife at significant risk.

Recurrent federal funding, rather than state-based or project-specific grants, is essential to ensure the stable, ongoing operation of these vital wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services. Establishing a national framework would demonstrate a real commitment to protecting native wildlife and an investment in the long-term biodiversity and health of Australia’s ecosystems.

Currently in Australia, the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife is fragmented across states and territories with charity organisations primarily left to self-fund operations and no legislative framework governing the rescue response.

The responsibility of wildlife veterinary care is placed upon an already under-resourced and pressured veterinary sector with general practice veterinary clinics mandated by law to see wildlife patients free of charge. 

With appropriate federal leadership and funding, in a framework that recognises state government legal responsibility for the protection of native animals, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and veterinary care would be standardised to ensure the protection and survival of Australia’s unique flora and fauna for generations to come.

Lisa Palma, CEO of Wildlife Victoria, said: "We need to ensure that wildlife care isn't reliant on short-term funding, but is supported by long-term, sustainable investment to protect our precious wildlife for generations to come. Wildlife Victoria only receives less than 10% of our annual running costs from the state government with zero contribution from the federal government."

"The value of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation cannot be overstated. It’s the foundation upon which our species are given a chance to recover."

WRA Chair Dr Ken Henry AC said: “It’s unsustainable that governments at all levels continue to rely on non-profit wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation facilities to treat and rehabilitate native animals under their legal protection, with no recompense. Funding would reduce the mental and physical stress on our people by giving us operational certainty and allowing us to train future generations of veterinarians to meet future demand for wildlife care.”

For additional information or interview requests, contact Wildlife Victoria's media team on 0447 193 121 or email the media team.