Science is leading our koala conservation efforts. We are working in consultation with the scientific community, conservation organisations, First Nations people, natural resource managers and governments. This ensures the best available science is informing on-ground action.
Species listing and recovery plan
In February 2022, the combined koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT were listed as ‘endangered’ under national environmental law. A Recovery Plan has been prepared for the listed species. The plan provides the management actions and research needed to stop koala decline and support its recovery over the next 10 years.
Find out more about the National Recovery Plan.
More information is also available on the Species Profiles and Threats Database.
Cost-benefit analysis reports
A cost-benefit analysis known as the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources (INFFER) method is helping to inform how we can maximise the benefits of conservation actions for endangered koalas.
The first INFFER analysis was completed in in 2020, looking only at koalas in northern NSW and south east Queensland. A second INFFER analysis was completed in 2022, taking into account the entire listed range of the koala.
National Koala Monitoring Program
This program is a world-leading species monitoring and modelling initiative. We conduct it in partnership with CSIRO.
The program aims to understand the size and status of regional populations and the national koala population. It will look at how these populations change over time.
Modelling impacts of climate change on koala populations
As part of the National Environmental Science Program, analysis was undertaken to understand how a changing climate is likely to impact koala distribution. It identified key areas that may act as climate refuges.
Download
National Koala Disease Risk Assessment
A first of its kind, the national Koala Disease Risk Assessment examined the disease risk for koalas at a national level.
Find out more about the National Koala Disease Risk Assessment – Koala Health Hub.