Rehabilitation permits (rescue, rehabilitate and release a protected animal)

Queensland's native wildlife is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and associated regulations. Volunteer wildlife carers play an important role in rescuing, caring for and rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned protected animals for release back into the wild. While a person may rescue a sick, injured or orphaned protected animal, a rehabilitation permit is required to provide ongoing care, rehabilitation and release of protected wildlife.

A rehabilitation permit issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 authorises a person to care for, rehabilitate and release protected wildlife. The Code of Practice—Care of sick, injured or orphaned protected animals in Queensland and the Code of Practice—Rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned koalas in Queensland provide guidance and minimum standards for undertaking those activities.

If you do not hold a rehabilitation permit learn what to do if you encounter sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

    Requirements for rehabilitation permit holders

    Rehabilitation permits authorise the holder to rehabilitate and release protected wildlife.

    They are not intended for permanent keeping of wildlife. Animals must be released once they are able to live independently in the wild.

    Permit holders must:

    • provide care that contributes to the animal's recovery and survival in the wild
    • comply with relevant legislative requirements and applicable codes of practice
    • maintain appropriate facilities and standards of animal welfare
    • release rehabilitated animals once they are capable of surviving in their natural habitat.

    Before you apply

    Wildlife rehabilitation can be rewarding but requires a significant commitment of time, resources and expertise.

    Before submitting an application, prospective carers are encouraged to:

    • contact a local wildlife care group
    • gain practical experience working with licensed wildlife carers
    • become familiar with species-specific care requirements
    • review the relevant codes of practice
    • ensure they have suitable facilities and equipment.

    Some species require specialist skills and experience, and permits may only be granted to applicants who can demonstrate appropriate expertise.

    Eligibility and application requirements

    As part of the application, you will be asked to provide information about your skills and experience including:

    • previous wildlife rehabilitation experience
    • relevant training and courses completed
    • wildlife care group membership
    • species proposed to be rehabilitated.

    As part of the application, you will be asked to demonstrate that you have appropriate facilities and equipment including:

    • suitable enclosures and housing
    • appropriate transport equipment
    • facilities that support rehabilitation and minimise stress
    • access to veterinary assistance when required.

    Supporting documentation that may be requested as part of a rehabilitation permit application may include:

    • photographs of facilities and equipment
    • evidence of relevant training and experience
    • wildlife care group endorsements or references
    • details of veterinary support arrangements
    • additional information requested.

    Species with specialised experience and training requirements

    Some wildlife species require specialised care, handling and rehabilitation skills. If you are applying to rehabilitate one of these species, you may need to demonstrate your experience, training, facilities and veterinary support arrangements.

    Examples of species that may require additional information include:

    • koalas
    • marine turtles and freshwater turtles
    • marine mammals
    • microbats
    • flying-foxes (megabats)
    • seabirds
    • raptors
    • reptiles
    • platypus
    • echidnas.

    Before applying for, or continuing to hold, a rehabilitation permit, you must:

    • complete a suitable training or refresher course addressing the rescue, care and/or release of koalas, as required under section 19 of the Code of Practice—Rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned koalas in Queensland
      • Training may be provided by a Wildlife Rehabilitation Organisation or another suitable organisation and must be delivered by trainers with significant, relevant experience (for example, trainers with appropriate veterinary or clinical experience).
    • previously permitted koala rehabilitators must complete a suitable refresher training course every three (3) years.

    Before lodging a rehabilitation permit application, you must:

    • contact Marine Turtle Strandings Coordinator to discuss existing stranding response arrangements, training requirements, reporting systems and rehabilitation capacity

    Before lodging a rehabilitation permit application, you must:

    • have a current first aid certificate delivered by a recognised provider
    • have first aid equipment for snakebite
    • have undertaken additional training and have additional facilities and safety measures in place due to the risks associated with venomous snakes.

    Before lodging a rehabilitation permit application, you must:

    Wildlife care groups

    Wildlife care groups play an important role in supporting rehabilitation activities across Queensland.

    These organisations provide mentoring for new carers, advice on rehabilitation practices, species-specific expertise and assistance with placement of animals.

    Authorising members under a rehabilitation permit

    Where a wildlife care group holds a rehabilitation permit, members may be authorised to care for animals under that permit.

    Authorised persons must:

    • have the skills, training and experience necessary to care for the species they are authorised to rehabilitate
    • be formally authorised by the rehabilitation permit holder
    • carry evidence of their authorisation when dealing with wildlife
    • comply with any species restrictions or conditions specified by the permit holder.

    Code of practice requirements

    Permit holders must comply with applicable codes of practice. These codes establish minimum standards relating to:

    • animal welfare
    • housing and enclosure standards
    • veterinary treatment
    • rehabilitation practices
    • release of animals to the wild.

    The codes support consistent rehabilitation outcomes and help ensure protected wildlife has the greatest opportunity for successful release.

    Release of rehabilitated wildlife

    The primary objective of wildlife rehabilitation is release. People who keep wildlife under a rehabilitation permit must keep the animal in a way that contributes, or is likely to contribute, to the animal's release and survival in the wild.

    Animals must be released:

    • once fully recovered
    • when capable of surviving independently
    • into appropriate habitat.

    While successful rehabilitation does not guarantee survival after release, the aim is to return wildlife to the wild as soon as its illness or injury no longer significantly affects its ability to survive independently.

    Permit holders must release animals to the wild once they are again able to live in the appropriate natural habitat.

    Preparing and submitting your application

    To discuss your proposed application before lodging it, complete and submit a pre-design conference application form via email to palm@detsi.qld.gov.au.

    How to apply

    For assistance phone: 1300 130 372 (option 4)

    Processing times

    • Standard processing: Up to 40 business days.
    • Additional information requests may extend processing by 20 business days.
    • Ensure your application is detailed and comprehensive to avoid delays.

    Reporting obligations

    Permit holders must submit a return of operations:

    • every three months
    • within 10 business days after permit expiry
    • including NIL returns where no activity occurred.

    Submission options

    Guides, forms and resources

    Contact information

    For further assistance or clarification, contact the Permits and Licensing unit: