National 
 Training 

WIRES has a growing library of quality online wildlife rescue and rehabilitation training courses available to affiliates of the WIRES National Network, who are licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife rescue and care organisations, or those working in a relevant industry (e.g. veterinary staff).   

More courses are also in development, and we recommend checking back regularly to see when new courses become available

If you are interested in accessing training for several individuals in your organisation, bulk enrolment and payment can be arranged.

Online National Courses Currently Available
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Introduction to Wildlife Rescue

Introduction to Wildlife Rescue

This course is designed to help rescue organisations recruit and train more new volunteers faster to begin rescuing the animals most commonly reported needing assistance, including birds, possums, lizards and turtles.

Estimated completion time: 4-6 hours.

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$25pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Lizard and Turtle Care Course

Lizard and Turtle Care Course

This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to safely rescue and rehabilitate lizards (with the exception of monitors) and freshwater turtles. You will learn about lizard and turtle identification and biology, how to safely rescue, transport and provide first aid to these animals, how to house and feed lizards and turtles, as well as common injuries and diseases that you are likely to encounter when rescuing these species and how to manage them appropriately. Estimated completion time: 6-8 hours.

$40pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates $30pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Sea Turtle Rescue and Transport

Sea Turtle Rescue and Transport

This course covers important information regarding the rescue and transport of sea turtles including sea turtle identification, biology, distribution, diet, life cycle, rescue scenarios, disease and common threats, safe rescue and transport methods, WHS, record keeping and reporting.

Estimated completion time: 3-5 hours.

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Seabird Rescue and Care

This course covers the rescue and rehabilitation of a fascinating and complex group of birds including pelicans, gulls, cormorants, penguins, shearwaters, and more. This course explores the husbandry, feeding, nutrition and housing needs for seabirds as well as common seabird injuries and illnesses.

$40pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$30pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Koala Rescue and Transport

Koala Rescue and Transport

This course has been developed to provide wildlife rescuers with the skills and knowledge to capture and transport sick, injured or orphaned koalas safely. Participants will learn about essential koala biology and behaviour, identify signs of common injuries and diseases, become familiar with best practice rescue and transport techniques, and review a range of common koala rescue scenarios.

Estimated completion time: 6-8 hours.

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Treating Wombats with Mange

Treating Wombats with Mange

This course is designed to address the WHS risks and hazards associated with treating wombats with mange, outline the currently approved techniques for treating mange and equip participants with the ability to ascertain the various stages of mange. Please note, this mange treatment course is educational only and completion of the course does not authorise individuals to treat wombats with mange. Additional permits issued by the APVMA are required to use these products off label. 

Estimated completion time: 1-2 hours.

$20pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$15pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Sea Snake Rescue and Transport

This course is only available to those who are up to date with venomous snake handling training and snake bite first aid training. This course covers important information regarding the rescue and transport of sea snakes including sea snake identification, biology, distribution, rescue scenarios, disease and common threats, safe rescue and transport methods, WHS, record keeping and reporting.

Estimated completion time: 3-5 hours.

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Understanding Pain in Wildlife

Understanding Pain in Wildlife

Developed by experienced wildlife veterinarians, this course endeavours to address the impacts of inadequate pain management and how this implicates rehabilitation outcomes, the role of veterinarians in managing pain in wildlife, appropriate pain management strategies for wildlife rehabilitators and the obligations and responsibilities of wildlife rehabilitators to adequately manage pain for wildlife in their care. This course is highly recommended for all wildlife rescue and rehabilitation volunteers.

Estimated completion time: 2-3 hours.

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

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Introduction to Wildlife Rescue

This introductory level course focuses on common, lower-risk wildlife species including lizards, turtles, possums, birds and frogs.

The course covers, Work, Health & Safety when rescuing and transporting wildlife, wildlife rescue and transport fundamentals including common wildlife rescue scenarios and appropriate stress and pain management strategies, bird rescue and transport including identification, chick stages, bird anatomy, examining birds and short-term housing, reptile (lizard and freshwater turtle) and amphibian rescue & transport including identification, handling techniques, examination, short-term housing and possum rescue and transport including pouch check, unfurred & furred joeys, immediate care and examination. 

The course takes roughly 4-6 hours to complete. 

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$25pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates

Bevan Badcott-lace monitor

Lizard and Turtle Care Course 

This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to safely rescue and rehabilitate lizards (with the exception of monitors) and freshwater turtles. You will learn about lizard and turtle identification and biology, how to safely rescue, transport and provide first aid to these animals, how to house and feed lizards and turtles, as well as common injuries and diseases that you are likely to encounter when rescuing these species and how to manage them appropriately.

Estimated completion time: 6-8 hours. 

$40pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$30pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates  

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Sea Turtle Rescue and Transport 

This course covers important information regarding the rescue and transport of sea turtles including sea turtle identification, biology, distribution, diet, life cycle, rescue scenarios, disease and common threats, safe rescue and transport methods, WHS, record keeping and reporting.

Estimated completion time: 3-5 hours. 

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

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Koala Rescue and Transport

This course has been developed to provide wildlife rescuers with the skills and knowledge to capture and transport sick, injured or orphaned koalas safely. Participants will learn about essential koala biology and behaviour, identify signs of common injuries and diseases, become familiar with best practice rescue and transport techniques, and review a range of common koala rescue scenarios.

Estimated completion time: 6-8 hours. 

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

Wombat joeys-Winston and Josie-FB

Treating Wombats with Mange 

This course is designed to address the WHS risks and hazards associated with treating wombats with mange, outline the currently approved techniques for treating mange and equip participants with the ability to ascertain the various stages of mange. Please note, this mange treatment course is educational only and completion of the course does not authorise individuals to treat wombats with mange. Additional permits issued by the APVMA are required to use these products off label. 

Estimated completion time: 1-2 hours. 

$20pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$15pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

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Understanding Pain in Wildlife

Developed by experienced wildlife veterinarians, this course endeavours to address the impacts of inadequate pain management and how this implicates rehabilitation outcomes, the role of veterinarians in managing pain in wildlife, appropriate pain management strategies for wildlife rehabilitators and the obligations and responsibilities of wildlife rehabilitators to adequately manage pain for wildlife in their care.

This course is highly recommended for all wildlife rescue and rehabilitation volunteers.

Estimated completion time: 2-3 hours. 

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

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Sea Snake Rescue and Transport 

This course is only available to those who are up to date with venomous snake handling training and snake bite first aid training. This course covers important information regarding the rescue and transport of sea snakes including sea snake identification, biology, distribution, rescue scenarios, disease and common threats, safe rescue and transport methods, WHS, record keeping and reporting.  

Estimated completion time: 3-5 hours. 

$30pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$20pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

shearwater

Seabird Rescue and Care

This course covers the rescue and rehabilitation of a fascinating and complex group of birds including pelicans, gulls, cormorants, penguins, shearwaters, and more. This course explores the husbandry, feeding, nutrition and housing needs for seabirds as well as common seabird injuries and illnesses. 

$40pp for Non-WIRES National Network Affiliates  

$30pp for WIRES National Network Affiliates 

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to complete this course, it is recommended that all participants: 

  • have up-to-date training in the handling of venomous snakes
  • have up-to-date training on snake bite first aid 

Please note that completing this course does not result in the authorisation of the rescue and transportation of sea snakes. All individuals must adhere to relevant state licensing requirements regarding the handling of venomous snakes. In NSW, the Code specifies that sea snakes must only be handled by wildlife rehabilitators who have undertaken a venomous snake handling course, which includes training in venomous snake bite first aid and is refreshed every three years.

Governance Courses

To help support licensed wildlife carers and rescue organisations, WIRES has worked closely with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to create the free training courses listed below. 

NPWS are focused on identifying and implementing new initiatives to help support the growth & long-term sustainability of the rehabilitation sector. These topics were recommended by NPWS and WIRES has worked with NPWS to make these courses available for free. 

The courses have been created to assist the individuals and groups wanting more support in these areas, that did not yet have access to similar resources. 

2

Wildlife Rehabilitator's Leadership Course

This free course is designed to help volunteers taking on leadership roles as executives or committee members within their organisations. 

3

Wildlife Rehabilitator's Train the Trainer Course 

This free course is designed to help volunteers experienced in rehabilitation to move into training roles within their organisations. 

4

Wildlife Rehabilitator's Conflict Resolution Course

This free course is available for all licensed wildlife carers and groups to help them identify strategies to best manage situations where conflict may occur. 

Register Your Interest

To register interest in completing a WIRES National Training Course, please complete and submit the form below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email training@wires.org.au.