WIRES Training
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WIRES training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to support native wildlife.
WIRES offers a number of courses for people wanting to help wildlife.
Understanding the Commitment
WIRES receives over 180,000 calls for wildlife rescue and advice annually. These calls represent the urgent need for assistance for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife. WIRES relies on its community of volunteers to help rescue, care, rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild.
As a WIRES volunteer, you can choose your level of involvement. Whether you opt for rescue, rehabilitation, or another role such as assisting with branch fundraising or a branch administrative role, your contribution is vital to our mission.
As a volunteer, you can decide how often you get involved and the amount of time you commit is flexible based on your circumstances.
Every offer of assistance is welcomed.
NSW Volunteer Training Pathways
For individuals based in NSW, we offer three different introductory training courses. Each offers unique opportunities for involvement, so please select the course option which aligns most closely with your interests to get started.
Please note for the Rescue101 and the RICC courses, enrolment in both courses is not required. These are different pathways.
If you have already completed one of these courses previously and are looking to further advance your skills, or rejoin WIRES, please complete our training enquiries form.
WIRES Rescue 101 Course - Best suited to those who:
- Want to assist specifically with rescue and transport
- Have their own private transportation or access to a vehicle
- Are confident operating independently
- Want maximum flexibility with their involvement
WIRES Rescue and Immediate Care Course - Best suited to those who:
- Want to become a wildlife carer
- Do not need to have private transportation or driver's license
- Benefit from face-to-face learning
- Want to join their local WIRES community
- Want to rescue a wider range of wildlife species
WIRES Community Manage Treatment Course - Best suited to those who:
- Only want to treat wombats suffering with mange
- Are in an area with mange-affected wombats
- Do not want to rescue or transport wildlife
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- WIRES Wildlife Courses
WIRES Rescue 101 Course
This is the quickest and easiest way to support wildlife, by rescuing and transporting them to a vet.
WIRES Rescue and Immediate Care Course
This course equips you with the knowledge to rescue, transport and provide immediate care to various native animals. On completion you become part of your local WIRES branch.
WIRES Community Mange Course
For those with a specific interest in treating wombats with mange in-situ on their property or in their local community.
If you are based outside of NSW, we offer the following options for external licensed wildlife rehabilitators and industry professionals across Australia.
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- WIRES Box Section
National Wildlife Courses
For existing wildlife carers around Australia there are course options for you to advance your knowledge.
Tasmanian Mammals Course
The introductory course for Tasmanian residents who wish to become a carer for common Tasmanian Mammal species.
Veterinary Training Hub
A suite of training modules and resources designed specifically for veterinary professionals and students dealing with wildlife.
There are many ways to support WIRES and wildlife. There may be a particular animal or species you are passionate about and want to learn more about them; or perhaps you'd like to make habitat for wildlife; or maybe you are keen to help in other ways.
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- WIRES Box Section
Advanced Species Training in NSW
Upon completion of the WIRES Rescue and Immediate Care Course, you can learn more about species of particular interest to you.
General Volunteer Support
Maybe you can't offer your time with volunteering, but you are able to offer your skills to help wildlife in other ways.
Information for Under 18s
If you are under 18, there are many other ways you can get involved to help our wildlife. Please email training@wires.org.au
Stay connected. Stay inspired.
Keen to keep learning? Our WIRES Training eNews brings the latest wildlife rescue resources, upcoming course updates, and expert tips straight to your inbox.
Whether you're just starting out or deepening your experience, you'll get insights to support your journey and stories that remind you why it matters.
Be the first to hear about new training opportunities, and seasonal rescue needs across Australia.