Rabbit Numbers Hold Steady Across Australia
A national pest report card finds rabbit populations largely unchanged over five years, even as the federal pest program faces an uncertain budget future.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Wildlife
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The National Vertebrate Pest Management Report Card 2026 found rabbit numbers across Australia have remained largely unchanged nationally over the past five years. Australia is estimated to have around 200 million rabbits, with populations rising in Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Why it matters
Rabbits are estimated to threaten 322 nationally listed threatened species and cause more than $200 million in agricultural losses each year. The federal government did not include the Established Pest Animals and Weeds program in its latest budget, leaving the future of national pest control in question.
The National Vertebrate Pest Management Report Card 2026 assessed rabbit populations nationally against the damage reduction objectives set by most reporting jurisdictions, which have only partially met or failed to meet them. Rabbits are gradually developing resistance to existing biological control viruses, and the outcome of new virus research funded at $2.6 million remains unknown.
The players
Australian Government
The federal government of Australia, which committed funding to rabbit virus research and decides national pest management budgets.
The details
Rabbits destroy native vegetation, damage wildlife habitats and prevent plant regeneration, which threatens native species. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus has helped reduce populations since its introduction, but the government has committed $2.6 million to the first phase of research into new virus variants as part of a $4 million national partnership.
Timeline
Over the past five years, rabbit numbers and impacts remained largely unchanged nationally.
Earlier in 2026, the federal government committed $2.6 million toward virus research.
In 2026, the National Vertebrate Pest Management Report Card 2026 was released.
Future funding for the Established Pest Animals and Weeds program will be decided in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).
Seasonal Patterns
The Established Pest Animals and Weeds program, which was omitted from the latest federal budget, is the national framework that has supported rabbit control efforts. Its future funding will now depend on the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).
Landholders and communities affected by rabbits can focus on the damage reduction objectives reported in the national assessment. Staying informed about the MYEFO funding decision will show whether the national pest program will continue to support local control efforts.
The takeaway
Rabbit numbers are not falling nationally, so sustained funding and new control methods remain important for protecting native wildlife and farm productivity. Watch for the MYEFO decision to see how the national response will be shaped.
What happens next
Future funding for the Established Pest Animals and Weeds program will be decided in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO).
Further reading
Explore more on Wildlife to see how pest animals affect native species across the country.
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Should the federal government increase funding for controlling invasive pests like rabbits?
