The NSW Koala Strategy supports a range of conservation actions that will provide more habitat for koalas, support local community action, improve koala safety and health, and build our knowledge to improve koala conservation.
Key information
- Status: Not open for application
- Grant amount: Dependent on project
Program objective
The actions set out in the strategy work towards the long-term goal of doubling koala numbers in NSW by 2050. These actions work together to secure habitat, support local conservation, reduce threats, and improve our knowledge.
The strategy focuses action under 4 pillars:
- koala habitat conservation
- supporting local communities to conserve koalas
- improving the safety and health of koalas
- building our knowledge of koalas.
More than $190 million is committed from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2026 to deliver the targeted conservation actions that the strategy sets out.
The strategy is being delivered, in part, by grants.
The strategy targets investment in priority koala populations
The strategy identifies 50 koala populations in NSW based on the Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) identified by the NSW Government, noting that koalas are also found outside these areas.
These 50 koala populations have been prioritised in 2 intervention categories:
- 19 populations for immediate investment
- 31 populations with key knowledge gaps.
Investment under the strategy is focused on the 19 koala populations because there is a good understanding of population size and distribution, habitat values and the nature and intensity of threats.
Eligibility and assessment
Grant funding is provided to local councils, land managers, koala rehabilitators, community organisations, local Aboriginal groups, communities, business and industry and the research sector who are delivering koala conservation actions under the strategy.
Grants awarded must contribute to the actions and overall objective of the strategy.
The strategy is available on the Environment and Heritage website.
Applications for this grant are not being accepted.
This program is funded and administered by Environment and Heritage.
Grant recipients
Recipients for this program were selected to meet the program objectives.
Eligible recipients were invited to participate and were required to meet the objectives.
What was approved
Approved for Port Stephens Council
To develop a koala corridor map and planning guidance
$12,000 was approved by
Senior Team Leader, Threatened Species and EcosystemsDate approved
June 2025Location of the recipient
Port StephensAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
NSW Koala Strategy
Agency funding this grant
Environment and HeritageProgram term
12/05/2025 to 30/05/2026What was approved
Approved for World Wide Fund for Nature Australia
Restoration and maintenance of projects with Indigenous partners under the Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative
$210,000 was approved by
Senior Team Leader, Threatened Species and EcosystemsDate approved
June 2025Location of the project
Northern NSWLocation of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
NSW Koala Strategy
Agency funding this grant
Environment and HeritageProgram term
30/06/2025 to 31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Kempsey Shire Council
Deliver community engagement activities and materials to improve responsible dog ownership (Take the Lead Program)
$30,000 was approved by
Senior Team Leader, Threatened Species and EcosystemsDate approved
June 2025Location of the recipient
KempseyAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
NSW Koala Strategy
Agency funding this grant
Environment and HeritageProgram term
20/05/2025 to 30/06/2026What was approved
Approved for Newara Aboriginal Corporation
For educational signage and materials at the Nyambinga Kyuna Ranger Station and Learning Centre, to draw attention to the significance of koalas
$5,000 was approved by
Senior Team Leader, Threatened Species and EcosystemsDate approved
May 2025Location of the recipient
Armidale RegionalAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
NSW Koala Strategy
Agency funding this grant
Environment and HeritageProgram term
April 2025 to 31/01/2026What was approved
Approved for Sutherland Shire Council
$129,680 was approved by
Senior Team Leader, Threatened Species and EcosystemsDate approved
May 2025Location of the recipient
Sutherland ShireAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
1
NSW Koala Strategy
Agency funding this grant
Environment and HeritageProgram term
16/05/2025 to 30/06/2026Support and contact
For more information about NSW Government actions and investment to protect koalas, go to NSW Koala Strategy or email koala.strategy@environment.nsw.gov.au