Australia is facing growing calls to accelerate its bird flu vaccination plans, as conservationists and scientists warn that highly pathogenic avian influenza could pose a serious threat to vulnerable native bird species.

The concern comes as New Zealand moves ahead with a targeted vaccination program for some of its most endangered birds, while Australia’s approach remains focused on surveillance, biosecurity measures and vaccine trials.

The H5 strain of avian influenza has caused major bird and wildlife losses across parts of the world. Australia recorded detections of H5 bird flu in migratory wild seabirds in 2026, raising concerns that the virus could eventually spread to resident bird populations and threatened species.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has already begun vaccinating several endangered native birds, including kākāpō, takahē, shore plover, black stilt and orange-fronted parakeets. The program aims to protect small, carefully managed populations where even a single outbreak could have devastating consequences.

Officials say the vaccination effort is a precautionary measure designed to safeguard species that have taken decades of conservation work to recover. Hundreds of birds are being targeted as part of the rollout, using vaccines that require careful monitoring and booster doses.

In contrast, Australia has taken a more cautious approach. Routine vaccination for poultry has generally been avoided due to concerns around disease monitoring, trade impacts and the complexity of managing vaccinated populations. Instead, authorities have relied on early detection, strict biosecurity As bird flu moves closer to Australia’s shores, scientists and conservationists are questioning whether enough is being done to protect vulnerable native species. While New Zealand has begun vaccinating endangered birds against H5N1, Australia remains focused on surveillance and vaccine planning, controls and rapid response measures during outbreaks.

Australian agencies are now exploring whether vaccines could be used for rare, protected or high-value wildlife species. However, unlike New Zealand, Australia has not yet announced a specific vaccination program for threatened native birds.

Scientists say protecting endangered wildlife may be a more practical use of vaccines compared with broad vaccination of wild bird populations. They warn that once the virus spreads widely among native species, controlling its impact could become extremely difficult.

Authorities continue to stress that the current risk to human health remains low and are advising people to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report unusual bird deaths.

As H5N1 continues to spread internationally, the debate is becoming a question of preparedness. Conservation groups argue Australia must act sooner to protect its unique wildlife, while officials maintain that decisions must be based on scientific evidence and careful risk assessment.