Wildlife Responders


Love Wildlife? Here's Your Chance to Make a Real Impact!

As a Wildlife Responder, you’ll be part of a passionate network helping injured, sick, or orphaned native animals get the care they need.

This flexible volunteer role lets you assist in your local area anytime, anywhere by transporting animals to safety and supporting simple rescues. It’s a hands-on way to protect Queensland’s wildlife and connect with your community while learning valuable skills.

Ready to help us protect and care for Queensland’s wildlife? Apply today and be part of something truly wild!

At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.

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Volunteer Positions Available

Wildlife Responder

Answer the Call of the Wild!

 

 

What to expect

 

This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australia’s native wildlife and are committed to improving their welfare. This is a great opportunity for people who want to help their local Wildlife. This program is available across Queensland and is flexible, allowing participants to help anywhere, anytime.

What are the benefits?

 

🦘 Increased awareness of our native wildlife and the challenges they face
🦉 Develop native animal handling and identification skills
🏡 Get to know your local wildlife and connect with your community
🤝 Become part of the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Rescue Network

 

What are the tasks?

 

The position involves very basic rescuing and transporting injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife as required and includes:

🚗 Rescue & Transport: Responding to wildlife rescue and transport requests in your local area and delivering animals to nearby veterinary clinics or local wildlife carers
🐣 Wildlife Reunites: Attempting to reunite juvenile birds and other animals with their parents where appropriate

⚠️ Important safety note:
🐾 You will only work with common, non‑dangerous species, such as small–medium birds, lizards, turtles and possums
🚫 This role does not involve high‑risk species (kangaroos, koalas, bats, goannas, birds of prey or snakes)
🚧 No high‑risk rescue situations (e.g. ladders, water bodies, heights or confined spaces)
👋 Community Engagement: Engage positively with members of the public when responding to rescue or transport requests, represent RSPCA QLD professionally, and provide advice or education where appropriate

 

What skills and characteristics do I need?

 

🐾 Confidence interacting with a variety of wildlife species
🔞 Be over 18 years of age and hold a valid Queensland driver’s licence
🚙 Access to a suitable, roadworthy and insured vehicle (your own vehicle and basic equipment will be used)
📚 Willingness to learn about wildlife species and rescue techniques
⚠️ Commitment to following RSPCA Queensland WH&S guidelines and code of conduct
🔄 Ability to be flexible and adaptable while always working safely and not placing yourself or others at risk
🗣️ Excellent communication skills with the ability to remain calm and objective
❤️ A genuine interest in animal welfare and the objectives of RSPCA Queensland

 

When can I volunteer?

🗓️ This is a highly flexible role—you can nominate the times and locations that suit you
🌱 A great option to fit volunteering around your lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in your community

 

Important Information:

  • As an RSPCA Volunteer you can only attend to animals that have been tasked to you by RSPCA Staff and once you accept a job you will be required to regularly check in with RSPCA staff when out doing a job for your safety and to be covered by our insurances.
  • It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination, and this will be your responsibility to obtain and keep up to date.
  • If you do wildlife rescues already, please email us on the below email and we can add you to our rescue list so we can refer rescues to you or your organisation.

 

For further information, please contact our Wildlife Responder Coordinator via email on 1300animal@rspcaqld.org.au or fill in an application above.

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Important information about volunteering with RSPCA Queensland

The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years. We ask that volunteers make a commitment of 3 months, with a weekly volunteer shift. Volunteer shifts are usually 4 hours long.

Please note we are unable to provide work experience or offer any student placements (exceptions being placements organised through university or tertiary programs).

Please read through the list of other volunteer opportunities we’re currently recruiting for and apply online if you see a role you’re interested in. If there isn’t a role currently that suits you, keep checking back in as needs and recruitment change daily!