The economic impact of wildlife care in 2025

Non-profit environmental conservation charity Wildlife Recovery Australia (WRA) generated $4.4 million in value added and supported 28 jobs in Australia in 2025, according to an independent economic impact report commissioned by the organisation.

Environmental charity activities such as those operated by Wildlife Recovery Australia generate economic benefits for the local, regional, state and national economies through operational expenditure associated with the organisation.

The contribution made by WRA and the facilities under its operation – namely, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, Byron Bay Raptor Recovery Centre and Wildlife Recovery Australia Hospital – to the economies of the Byron Shire, Northern Rivers, New South Wales and Australia in 2024/25 were assessed by Lawrence Consulting using the Local Impact economic model, based on input-output tables.

“In the financial year 2025, WRA contributed $1.5 million in direct spending alone to the Northern Rivers region in which we operate,” said WRA CEO Dr Stephen Van Mil.

“Factoring in the multiplier effects of gross output, wages and salaries, jobs created and supported, and contribution to Gross Regional Product, our operations not only create positive welfare outcomes for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, but supports almost 30 jobs and contributes millions of dollars into regional, state and national economies.

Read the full economic impact report here.

A koala is health checked on Matilda’s (Wildlife Recovery’s Mobile Veterinary Hospital) tour in Port Macquarie