Home Wildlife Veterinary & Nursing Programs Conservation Medicine Program

Conservation Medicine Program

Conservation Medicine Program

Currumbin Residency

The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Wildlife and Conservation Medicine Residency/Professional Doctorate program, offered by Murdoch University, is based within the Veterinary team at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, with the opportunity to work at additional locations as appropriate including wildlife conservation and fieldwork opportunities.

The next residency commences in July 2026, with applications open now!

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Criteria

A merit-based selection process will be initiated in March 2026. Applicants must have a veterinary degree registrable in Queensland, a minimum of 2 years’ experience in veterinary practice and be a resident or citizen of Australia (this includes New Zealand nationals).

Applicants should have a logical and evidence-based approach to clinical case investigations, a strong academic background, and strong written and verbal communication skills. They should also demonstrate good time-management skills, have the ability to work well in a team and a strong commitment to the fields of zoo, wildlife and conservation medicine. The residency emphasises research alongside clinical work, and therefore the applicant should have previous experience in research or professional veterinary investigations.

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Placement Duration

The three-year residency will commence in July 2026.

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Application Process

Find out more here, or for further information please email ZooWildlifeResidents@murdoch.edu.au.

What You Learn

  • Training across all aspects of both wild and captive native species and select exotic species
  • Hands-on experience with a large and varied wildlife caseload of 16,000 wildlife admissions annually
  • Work with all aspects of veterinary care for the 1000+ captive Sanctuary animals, including preventative, dietary, biosecurity and clinical.
  • Participation in field-based koala ecology and research projects and breed for release conservation programs
Four veterinary professionals treat a sedated koala on an exam table in a clinical setting, with people observing through a nearby window.
A young kangaroo joey is wrapped in a floral cloth and a colorful crocheted blanket, looking up with its head partially visible.

How to Apply

  • The residency starts in July 2026, with a merit-based selection beginning in March 2026.
  • The course is run by Murdoch University and you can find out more about it here.
  • Contact for more information and application details: ZooWildlifeResidents@murdoch.edu.au.
  • Successful residents receive a tax-free scholarship (~$43,500 p.a.), plus work uniform, PPE and workspace provided.
Apply Now
An echidna is held on a yellow towel by a person wearing a green Currumbin Wildlife Hospital uniform.

About The Hospital

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world. Our mission to treat, rehabilitate and release sick, injured and orphaned Australian wildlife, has seen us treat over 200,000 animals since we opened in 1989.

Find Out More
A veterinarian in green scrubs holds a sleeping koala wrapped in a white towel inside a veterinary clinic.

Our Team

We’re lucky to have a dedicated and highly respected team of wildlife veterinarians, nurses, support staff, volunteers, and wildlife carers. Our team leads the way in wildlife care, conservation, and research in Australia and around the world.

Meet Our Team

Jingeri – Hello

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.

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Ornate, stylized green bird in flight, patterned with white dots, against a black background.