Registering as a Rescuer or Carer with Wildlife Rescue Australia
Supporting Australia’s Wildlife Rescue and Carers
Wildlife Rescue Australia (WRA) provides support for all persons actively engaged in the rescue and care of native Australian animals. WRA operates a 24-hour Australia-wide call centre to facilitate the rescue of injured, sick and orphaned fauna.
Empowering our Carers to Rehabilitate Native Animals
WRA does not hold a licence to rehabilitate protected native fauna. Persons registering as carers must either hold an individual licence or belong to a licenced group.
Rescuer/Carer Requirements
Find out more about becoming registered with Wildlife Rescue Australia
What are the requirements for registering?
Persons registering as a rescuer or licenced carer with Wildlife Rescue Australia must:
• be 18 years of age or over;
• have no criminal convictions, particularly relating to cruelty to animals; and
• not be involved in any commercial activity which conflicts with WRA’s aims or objectives.
What are the responsibilities of rescuers?
Rescuers may be called upon to:
• transport an animal to a licenced carer or vet clinic;
• relocate an animal to a suitable area; or
• assist a licenced carer in a rescue depending on circumstances.
Rescuers and carers are only asked to rescue a native animal (particularly a snake/goanna, bat/flying fox or other potentially dangerous animal) if appropriately qualified and/or experienced and the person is willing to accept the rescue call.
What are the benefits of becoming a rescuer/carer?
Any person engaged in a rescue on behalf of Wildlife Rescue Australia, member or otherwise, is covered by WRA’s Personal Accident insurance policy.
A registrant’s name and contact details are kept strictly confidential, accessible only by Call Centre staff and administrators, unless otherwise authorised by the rescuer or carer.
There is no fee for registering as a rescuer or carer, nor is it necessary to join (i.e. become a member of WRA)
Are there any requirements for becoming a carer?
Wildlife Rescue Australia is independent of any licenced organisation or Government body. Persons wishing to become involved in caring for native animals should contact the appropriate State authority.
Persons registering as a carer must hold a current individual licence or belong to a licenced group, and persons registering as a shooter must hold a shooters licence from the appropriate authority.
Are there any additional requirements when caring for specific animals?
Persons wishing to engage in the rescue of venomous or dangerous reptiles must be suitably trained, and persons wishing to engage in the rescue of bats (including flying foxes) must be vaccinated against lyssavirus.
I have met all of the requirements, what are the next steps to becoming a carer?
Registrants must fill out the application form below and are required to forward current copies of any required documentation to membership@wildliferescue.net.au
Is there anything else I need to know before applying?
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