Wildlife Rescue and Release Policy Review

We want to know whether you support a potential change to SA's wildlife rehabilitation and release policy.

What's being decided?

We are investigating a potential policy change for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife in South Australia.

The existing policy position prohibits the release of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, etc.), male brushtail possums (that have been in care for longer than 24 hours) and wombats after rehabilitation due to welfare and survivability concerns.

As a result, currently, once an animal comes into care, they are no longer considered to be free-living wildlife and must remain in captivity.

As a member of the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sector, we’d like your feedback on whether you think this policy should be changed, and other key considerations.

Background

Over the past few years, the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has received queries around its policy for the release of macropods, possums and wombats, including requests for it to be reviewed.

Some wildlife carers have also raised concerns about their ability to continue to take on new rescues based on the number of animals having to be permanently retained in captivity.

If supported, this potential policy change would align with other jurisdictions, including Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, which require the release of these species.

Please note: a change in policy would not apply to any animal that is currently kept in captivity under a retain protected animals unfit for release permit. If a change in policy were to occur, it would only apply to animals that are rescued after the revised policy was implemented.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say:

  • Take our survey
  • Email a submission to DEWFaunaPermitsUnit@sa.gov.au
  • Post your written submission to:
    Fauna Permits Unit, Conservation and Wildlife Branch
    RE: Wildlife Rescue and Release Policy Review
    Department for Environment and Water
    GPO BOX 1047,
    ADELAIDE SA 5001

Please note: your feedback may be made publicly available, in part or in entirety, unless you indicate on your submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

We will review the feedback provided to determine if a change in policy is supported and identify the key considerations of any change.

This page will be updated with the outcome of the consultation and next steps.

We want to know whether you support a potential change to SA's wildlife rehabilitation and release policy.

What's being decided?

We are investigating a potential policy change for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife in South Australia.

The existing policy position prohibits the release of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, etc.), male brushtail possums (that have been in care for longer than 24 hours) and wombats after rehabilitation due to welfare and survivability concerns.

As a result, currently, once an animal comes into care, they are no longer considered to be free-living wildlife and must remain in captivity.

As a member of the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sector, we’d like your feedback on whether you think this policy should be changed, and other key considerations.

Background

Over the past few years, the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has received queries around its policy for the release of macropods, possums and wombats, including requests for it to be reviewed.

Some wildlife carers have also raised concerns about their ability to continue to take on new rescues based on the number of animals having to be permanently retained in captivity.

If supported, this potential policy change would align with other jurisdictions, including Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, which require the release of these species.

Please note: a change in policy would not apply to any animal that is currently kept in captivity under a retain protected animals unfit for release permit. If a change in policy were to occur, it would only apply to animals that are rescued after the revised policy was implemented.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say:

  • Take our survey
  • Email a submission to DEWFaunaPermitsUnit@sa.gov.au
  • Post your written submission to:
    Fauna Permits Unit, Conservation and Wildlife Branch
    RE: Wildlife Rescue and Release Policy Review
    Department for Environment and Water
    GPO BOX 1047,
    ADELAIDE SA 5001

Please note: your feedback may be made publicly available, in part or in entirety, unless you indicate on your submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

We will review the feedback provided to determine if a change in policy is supported and identify the key considerations of any change.

This page will be updated with the outcome of the consultation and next steps.

  • Survey

    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.

    This survey should take 10 - 15 minutes to complete, depending on how much information you would like to provide in your answers. You can skip any questions you don't want to answer. 

    We recommend you read the discussion paper before or while completing the survey. 



    Take Survey
Page last updated: 25 Aug 2025, 10:27 AM