Koala state plate sales support wildlife carers

Thursday, 16 October 2025

More than 2,600 South Australians display Koala state plates on their vehicles. This has helped 30 wildlife volunteers and groups receive grants to help care for injured and sick native animals.

Each Koala state plate sold includes a $50 donation. This goes to the South Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants program.

The funding contributes to grants for:

• food for native wildlife
• vaccinations for rescued animals
• personal protective equipment for carers
• new animal enclosures, incubators, shelters and portable cages.

So far, two rounds of funding from the grant have been awarded:

• In 2024, the first round of funding awarded $50,000 to 13 groups.
• In 2025, 17 licenced not-for-profit and volunteer groups shared in over $54,000.

Koala state plates are a joint effort between the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the Department for Environment and Water.

Find out more about the wildlife grants program.

You can buy a Koala state plate to support the program and help another group of volunteers receive a grant.

The $151 cost of the plate includes:

• the donation, as well as a $70 plate fee
• a $31 reallocation fee for vehicles already registered in SA.