The use of predictive modelling to plan reintroductions and manage reintroduced populations has increased steadily since the mid-1990s, with Australia and New Zealand at the forefront. We overview the types of models commonly used for species reintroductions, focusing on Australia and New Zealand examples. Site selection, release strategies (e.g. number, composition and timing), population viability and management impacts are the key issues investigated. We discuss how to deal with uncertainties associated with parameter estimation, stochasticity, model selection, integrating modelling approaches and decision making. Finally we highlight three promising modelling approaches for planning species reintroductions and modelling reintroduced populations: decision theory and optimisation, individual based modelling and Bayesian hierarchical modelling.