Australia's rising climate has forced koalas to seek out new sources of water with eucalyptus leaves no longer able to sustain them.

Research undertaken the University of Sydney in the NSW town of Gunnedah found many koalas living in the wild were in state of constant dehydration due to recent heatwaves.

Cameras and monitoring equipment placed around the marsupials' habitat debunked the idea that koalas still only need water from eucalyptus leaves to survive.

The surveillance equipment recorded the koalas venturing down to manmade water stations and drinking for up to 10-minutes at a time to stay hydrated.

Dr Valentina Mella, a postdoctoral researcher in the University’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences said the findings highlighted a serious concern for the species in relation to rising temperatures.

"What will happen when temperatures rise in summer to make the leaves even drier and the koalas require more relief? This is the first study to document the role of water and the possible benefit of water supplementation for koala populations," Dr Mella said.