Victorian Wildlife Recovery Support Rebate Program Now Open

The DEECA Wildlife Recovery Support Rebate program will help offset the costs of providing care to wildlife impacted by recent emergency events, acknowledging the vital role or veterinarians and authorised wildlife rehabilitators play in improving wildlife welfare across Victoria. Registered veterinary practitioners who donated materials or services for the care of wildlife and eligible to apply.

Round one of this rebate provides authorised wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary practitioners funding for caring for wildlife impacted by emergency events across Victoria commencing 7 January 2026. Declared emergency events include:

• Victorian Bushfires (commencing 7 January 2026)
• Wye River – Lorne Flood Event (commencing 15 January 2026)
• North-East Victoria Storms (commencing 22 February 2026)
• North-West Victorian Storms (commencing 24 February 2026)
• Towong Flood Event (commencing 3 March 2026)

Reimbursement of approved expenses is capped at $2000 per eligible shelter operator, foster carer or veterinary clinic location.  Separate applications are required for each veterinary clinic location. Your claim for reimbursement must be supported with invoices and receipts.

A total of $150,000 is available for round one of this rebate program. Eligible applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Applications for rebates will close at 5pm on 15 June 2026 or when the total allocated funding has been fully expended.

For more information visit the rebate webpage and read the 2026 Wildlife Recovery Support Rebate Guidelines: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/wildlife-recovery-support-rebate

Applications can be submitted via the webpage or alternatively login to the DEECA online portal link: https://deeca.my.site.com/grants.