Koalas in South East Queensland are at real and growing risk. Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, climate driven disasters and disease are driving serious declines. RSPCA Queensland rescues, provides treatment and rehabilitation for hundreds of koalas every year, and we see the impacts firsthand. This year, we are already seeing record numbers of koala patients coming into our RSPCA Wildlife Hospital.
We are pleased to see the Queensland Government's new Koala Conservation Strategy being developed in line with broad community consultation. It is a critical opportunity to protect our koala populations and individual welfare
Take action now
There is something you can do to help protect our endangered koalas and ensure there is still a future where koalas still live wild and free in Queensland, not just in photos or memories.
We're recommending to the Queensland Government to introduce stronger, practical, science based measures that truly protect koalas.
Lend your voice to our call for stronger protections for koalas!
What needs to change
RSPCA Queensland is calling for a Strategy that delivers real, measurable outcomes for koalas through the following key actions:
We need major changes in policy to reduce the suffering and wildlife deaths:
- A strong, statewide 10-year Strategy
With a stable funding, clear accountability, and transparent public reporting on outcomes.
- Stronger habitat protection
Mapped core koala habitat must trigger a single, state-led approval process, with loopholes and exemption stacking removed so Queensland stops losing critical koala habitat.
- Prioritise existing habitat
The focus must be to protect existing, occupied koala habitat and maintaining connectivity while continuing to invest in new restoration projects.
- Credible, local offsets
Where habitat loss is unavoidable, offsets must be like-for-like, delivered close to the impact site, and designed to genuinely benefit the same koala population.
- Reduce preventable deaths from roads and dogs
Through koala-safe road design, speed management in hotspot areas, koala-friendly development standards, and responsible pet management.
- Drive long-term behaviour change
With coordinated, statewide education backed by regulation and infrastructure in high-risk areas.
- Improve koala health and resilience
Expand vaccination programs, strengthen disease monitoring, and integrate wildlife disaster response for fire, flood and heatwaves. Translocation should only be used with clear evidence of long-term benefit.
- Fund frontline koala rescue and hospital services
With stable, fit-for-purpose funding that reflects their essential role in Queensland's conservation efforts.
- Transparent monitoring and reporting
Establish statewide baselines, standardise hospital and rescue data, and create a public dashboard tracking koala habit, rescues, deaths and recovery efforts.
- Strengthen governance and collaboration
Increase transparency of the Koala Ministerial Advisory Council, partner with First Nations communities, and establish a single government-backed sightings platform.
- Strengthen welfare protections during development and research
Mandate accredited spotter-catcher standards and improve oversight of research activities to reduce cumulative impacts on koalas.
Lend your voice to our submission for stronger protections for South East Queensland's Koalas!
Help your local wildlife
Call 1300 ANIMAL
If you find injured or sick wildlife, contact the RSPCA's Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL (264 625). If you can, safely transport the animal to your nearest vet.
Tip: Some animals may be too large, flighty or aggressive to transport yourself, so call the RSPCA or your nearest wildlife carer to assist in animal rescues. Also remember never handle flying foxes yourself!
Donate to our new Wildlife Hospital
At RSPCA Queensland, we treat over 27,000 sick and injured native animals every year at our Wildlife Hospital. Their rescue, veterinary care and rehabilitation is critical to help them get a second chance in the wild.
Right now, planning is underway for a new purpose-built Wildlife Hospital situated in Redland City.
The new facility will help in protecting and preserving our wild animals in Southeast Queensland and provide acute care for sick and injured wildlife with surgical theatres, ICU and recovery spaces.
You can help our vision become a reality by donating today.
