The objectives of the program are to help wildlife rehabilitators to:
- improve the standard of wildlife care they provide.
- improve their facilities to treat, house and rehabilitate wildlife for release.
- increase their knowledge/skills in the care of wildlife.
Grants of up to $3,000 are available to authorised wildlife shelter operators and foster carers for equipment, infrastructure, consumables, education and training.
Further information about wildlife shelters and foster carers
Guidelines
Applications for the 2023-24 wildlife rehabilitator grants program closed Friday 15 September 2023.
2023-24 Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program Guidelines (webpage)
2023-24 Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program Guidelines (DOCX, 6.4 MB)
2023-24 Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants Program Guidelines (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Previous Program Rounds
Since 2008, the Victorian Government has provided $3.19 million through these grants to support wildlife shelter operators and foster carers. The table below shows the annual support for our valued wildlife volunteers who house, feed and care for Victoria’s injured wildlife.
Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants (WRG) Funding Round | Number of successful applicants | Approved Funding |
WRG 2023-24 | 112 | $230,603 |
WRG 2022-23 and 2022 flood support | 152 | $265,492 |
WRG 2021-22 | 144 | $292,361 |
WRG 2020-21 | 75 | $198,558 |
WRG 2019-20 and 2020 bushfire support | 129 | $187,607 |
WRG 2018-19 | 101 | $170,315 |
WRG 2017-18 | 107 | $166,609 |
WRG 2016-17 | 106 | $179,388 |
WRG 2015-16 and 2015 bushfire support | 128 | $166,248 |
WRG 2013-14 | 101 | $157,266 |
WRG 2012-13 | 110 | $176,901 |
WRG 2011-12 | 82 | $151,867 |
WRG 2010-11 | 107 | $195,878 |
WRG 2009-10 | 119 | $174,894 |
WRG 2008-09 | 130 | $476,264 |
Total | 1703 | $3,190,251 |
Contact
If you have questions about the Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants program, email our Wildlife Rehabilitator Grants program team or phone our Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.