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This article was published in the August 2025 edition of Vetboard Victoria's newsletter. Content was current at the time of publication but there may have been changes since then, as rules, standards and professional and community expectations change over time. Readers are also referred to our  Guidelines for appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities.

Meet the Conservation Regulator

The Conservation Regulator is responsible for the regulation of fire prevention, use of public land, wildlife and biodiversity.

The Conservation Regulator is committed to the protection of wildlife and improving wildlife welfare, and works under legislation such as the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

The conservation and management of wildlife is a shared responsibility of all members of the Victorian community, including government, co-regulators, businesses, Traditional Owners, stakeholder organisations and of course, vets. For more information about the Conservation Regulator and about veterinary care for wildlife, visit: www.vic.gov.au/veterinary-carewildlife.

Wildlife require specialised care, treatment and rehabilitation, and the laws are quite specific about who can do what:
  • Any person can transport sick, injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife to a registered veterinarian or authorised wildlife rehabilitator.
  • Wildlife rehabilitators can care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife for release back into the wild. A wildlife rehabilitator is a wildlife foster carer (person) or wildlife shelter authorised under the Wildlife Act 1975 to rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. They are sometimes referred to as wildlife carers and foster carers. The authorisations are issued by the Conservation Regulator to ensure sick, injured or orphaned wildlife receive appropriate care before being released back to their home range in the wild.
  • Vets can lawfully treat sick, injured or abandoned wildlife. The Wildlife Regulations 2024 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 provide exemptions that allow a registered veterinarian to lawfully treat sick, injured or abandoned wildlife without any further permissions. The relevant exemptions also apply to vet nurses and other clinic staff, provided they are operating in accordance with the instructions of a registered veterinarian.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 is the primary legislation for the welfare of all animals, including wildlife. Under section 9(1)(c), any person must not do or omit to do anything that results in unreasonable pain or suffering to animals. In the context of a veterinary practitioner being presented with wildlife, this may mean providing pain relief and first aid. Note that humane destruction is an option where pain and distress are significant and the veterinarian is unwilling or unable to provide care beyond pain relief/first aid.

More information