Koala Carers on the Frontline
Strengthening local wildlife carers to deliver timely koala rescue and rehabilitation, improving welfare outcomes.
Capacity building - LEP23-024-111
The issue
The Northern Tablelands supports one of New South Wales’ most significant inland koala populations, living at low densities but playing a vital ecological role. As climate refuges, these forests are increasingly important, yet koalas face ongoing threats including habitat loss, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, disease, and extreme weather.
Limited local expertise remains a challenge, with koalas often transported long distances for care. Wildlife carers are a critical link between rescue and veterinary treatment, providing essential stabilisation, rehabilitation, and support for successful release back into the wild.
The solution
Southern New England Landcare supported wildlife carers as frontline responders in koala rescue and rehabilitation. In 2025 and 2026, 15 carers from Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers (NTWC) and WIRES attended koala rehabilitation course at the Wild Koala Breeding Centre, Koala Conservation Australia (KCA).
The program combined online learning with intensive practical training, covering handling, diagnosis, feeding, and habitat preparation. Participants also received the Koala Rehabilitation Manual to support ongoing learning and knowledge sharing across the region.
The impact
The training strengthened a resilient and skilled network of wildlife carers across the Northern Tablelands. Carers are now better equipped to respond to koala rescues, improving animal welfare and survival outcomes.
This initiative supports a coordinated, community-based conservation approach and reduces reliance on external services. Delivered under SNEL’s Community Capacity Project and supported by the NSW Koala Strategy, the program highlights the importance of regional collaboration in protecting koalas and their habitats.
The Northern Tableland Koala Partnership is one of nine regional partnerships under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Key facts
- Trained 15 wildlife carers from NTWC and WIRES in koala rehabilitation.
- Delivered blended training with online modules and practical sessions.
- Strengthened frontline rescue and rehabilitation capacity.
- Improved local response and reduced need for long-distance transfers.