Our 2026 training sessions in Basic Rescue and Transport and Macropod Response Fundamentals are now open.
upcoming training
2026 volunteer training sessions now open
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Volunteer roles
Volunteers are an integral part of what Wildlife Victoria does. Our incredible volunteer network are out there across the state rescuing, transporting and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals, making a genuine difference for the welfare of Australian wildlife.
There are a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer with Wildlife Victoria.
Bunurong Wildlife Care. Photo ©Annette Ruzicka
Types of volunteer roles
Volunteer transporters play a vital role in transporting sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife between veterinary clinics and licensed wildlife shelters. This role requires minimal handling of wildlife as the animals are usually contained and ready for transport.
This is a great role for anyone who wants to help our native wildlife but are looking for a less hands-on approach.
To be a Wildlife Victoria volunteer transporter, you will need access to a suitable vehicle and be able to afford the ongoing fuel and equipment costs to support yourself in this role.
To start your journey as a volunteer transporter, you first need to complete training online. If you have any further questions, please email our Volunteer Services team.
Wildlife Victoria volunteer rescuers play a vital role in helping sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. Responding to alerts from our Emergency Response Service (ERS), rescuers attend to reports of wildlife in need of assistance. Rescuing involves assessing, capturing, containing and transporting native wildlife to a veterinary clinic, or licensed wildlife rehabilitator or shelters.
This is a hands-on role and will require you to attend many different situations, help a wide variety of native species, and engage directly with members of the public. Wildlife Victoria volunteer rescuers will also transport rescued animals to veterinary clinics, or licensed wildlife rehabilitators or shelters.
This role requires you to be comfortable handling animals and liaising with the general public and veterinary clinic staff. To start your journey as a volunteer rescuer, you first need to attend in-person training.
When starting out, there is also the opportunity to commence as a ‘transport only’ volunteer while you become familiar with the species and cases in your area. You will need to have access to a suitable vehicle and be able to afford the ongoing fuel and equipment costs to support yourself in this role.
If you have any further questions, please email our Volunteer Services team.
In Victoria, the pathway to becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or shelter is undertaken through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). To find out what’s involved in becoming an authorised rehabilitator or shelter, go to wildlife.vic.gov.au
If you are already a licensed DEECA rehabilitator or shelter and would like to register with Wildlife Victoria, please email our Volunteer Services team.
Please note: Privacy laws prohibit Wildlife Victoria from sharing contact information on carers and/or shelters.
Wildlife Victoria is a not-for-profit charity that relies on supporters and volunteers for rescue, transport, and office support.
Micro-volunteering is perfect for those who want to help but have limited time or resources. It can be done online from home, with short-term projects such as:
- Research
- Volunteer support
- Administration
- IT tasks
There’s no long-term commitment. Projects will be advertised on our website, and volunteers can choose when to get involved.
To qualify, you should:
- Want to support wildlife rescue behind the scenes
- Be able to volunteer remotely
- Have skills matching advertised roles
- Commit time to complete projects within agreed deadlines
When you see a role advertised, apply directly or email your CV and areas of interest and we’ll contact you about future opportunities.
TRAINING
Volunteer training
To become a Wildlife Victoria volunteer, you must undertake specific training. Before registering your interest in attending a training session, please read about the different volunteer roles available at Wildlife Victoria and decide what best suits your availability and lifestyle.
Photo ©Annette Ruzicka
Types of training offered
In Basic Rescue and Transport training, you will learn how to assess, capture, contain and transport small native animals, perform pouch checks, and keep yourself and wildlife safe during rescues and transport.
Annual training schedule
April – Training sessions are promoted through Wildlife Victoria’s Facebook, Instagram and website
May – Information sessions are held online
May – Expressions of interest open, subject to attending an information session first
June-September – Training sessions are held across metropolitan and regional Victoria
Application steps
- Attend an online information session to learn more about the role, and decide whether you’d like to apply
- Submit an expression of interest to attend training
- Participate in a phone screening interview
- Pay for and attend training
- Complete onboarding steps, including a Police Check
Eligibility requirements
- Aged 18 years or older
- Current Australian driver’s licence
- Access to a registered and insured vehicle
Expected volunteering time commitment
- Minimum of 12 months
- Minimum of 25 cases each 3 months if you are within a metro area (approximately 2 cases / 4 hours per week on average)
- Regular availability – ideally including midweek
In Transport training, you will learn the fundamentals of transporting sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife between veterinary clinics and licensed wildlife shelters. This role requires minimal handling of wildlife as the animals are usually contained and ready for transport.
Transport training is held online.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for announcements about transport training available, or email our training team.
Application steps
- Attend an online information session to learn more about the role, and decide whether you’d like to apply
- Submit an expression of interest
- Participate in a phone screening interview
- Pay for and complete online training
- Complete onboarding steps, including a Police Check
Eligibility requirements
- Aged 18 years or older
- Current Australian driver’s licence
- Access to a registered and insured vehicle
Expected volunteering time commitment
- Minimum of 12 months
- Minimum of 25 cases each 3 months if you are within a metro area (approximately 2 cases / 4 hours per week on average)
- Regular availability – ideally including midweek
Please email our training team if you have any questions.
In Macropod Response Fundamentals training, you will learn how to assess kangaroos and wallabies for signs of injury or illness, manage situations as a first responder, and work with other people to intervene where required.
Annual training schedule
April – Training sessions are promoted through Wildlife Victoria’s Facebook, Instagram and website
May – Information sessions are held online
May – Expressions of interest open, subject to attending an information session first
June-September – Training sessions are held across metropolitan and regional Victoria
Application steps
- Attend an online information session to learn more about the role, and decide whether you’d like to apply
- Submit an expression of interest
- Participate in a phone screening interview
- Pay for and attend training
- Complete onboarding steps, including a Police Check
Eligibility requirements
- Aged 18 years or older
- Current Australian driver’s licence
- Access to a registered and insured vehicle
Expected volunteering time commitment
- Minimum of 12 months
- Minimum of 25 cases each 3 months if you are within a metro area (approximately 2 cases / 4 hours per week on average)
- Regular availability – ideally including midweek
This advanced training is only available to existing Wildlife Victoria volunteers. Volunteers will be notified via email when training sessions open.
This advanced training is only available to existing Wildlife Victoria volunteers. Volunteers will be notified via email when training sessions open.