Purpose of the guide
This guide has been developed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in consultation with Animal Welfare Victoria, the RSPCA, Zoos Victoria, veterinarians and representatives from the wildlife rehabilitation community.
Wildlife rehabilitators are regulated by conditions that enforce the minimum standards required for the humane treatment and successful rehabilitation of wildlife in care.
This authorisation guide explains the conditions of your authorisation, the objectives of each condition and how you can comply. The advice provided in the How to comply sections is not mandatory, but rather provides the suggested method of meeting the conditions. You may choose alternative methods as long as you meet the conditions.
Depending on your specialisations and facilities, your authorisation may include additional conditions that restrict the number or type of species you can care for. Please ensure you read your authorisation conditions carefully. For further information, please contact your local DEECA office (Appendix 1(opens in a new window)) or the DEECA Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
Information on capture and basic first aid for wildlife is provided in Appendix 2(opens in a new window).
The Victorian Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines have been developed to complement this authorisation guide by providing comprehensive, best-practice practical information, including consideration of the five domains of animal welfare, from first aid to release. The guidelines are available at wildlife.vic.gov.au.
Updated