Translocation has become a major conservation tool used around the world as a method intended to safeguard threatened species from further decline. However, the increase in number of translocations has not necessarily corresponded with an increase in success or knowledge of best practice. Maximising the efficacy of translocations is critical, given limited global conservation funding and continued pressure on threatened species populations. This is particularly relevant to reptile translocations in Australia, which is a global hotspot for reptile diversity, yet suffers a significant knowledge gap surrounding the conservation status and ecological requirements of its diverse reptilian fauna. The Western Spiny-tailed Skink (Egernia stokesii badia) is used as a case study to exemplify how understanding the ecological needs of a threatened species can help maximise the likelihood of mitigation translocation success, following the more planned and informed framework generally associated with more conservation-motivated translocations. This study helps provide a clear strategic framework for the targeted research of meaningful ecological factors that influence on-ground translocation decision making and is adaptable for the improved management of a range of other fauna, including other threatened restricted range endemic reptiles.