Sorry to say that if it is a rat in that location it will be 99% sure to be a Black/Roof/Ship Rat (Rattus rattus). (unless it was transported from far away). But a good photo(s) will tell us for sure. Moribund rats near settlement are victims of anti-coagulant rodenticides. Alive or dead, they are lethal to owls and other birds which eat them. If it is still alive the best thing is to pick it up in a towel or other thick cloth, humanely kill it, or get someone to do that for you, then dispose of the carcass in some way that animals cannot get it. Black Rats are in most of the Canberra houses built more than 30 years ago, especially if there are chooks kept anywhere nearby, if birds are fed or if there are compost heaps. But they are often undetected.
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