Animal Welfare and Veterinary Courses
There are lots of amazing careers working with animals in Australia — all you need is a nationally recognised qualification and you could be working at your local animal shelter, starting your own dog walking business, or training an Olympic dressage champion.
Browse the latest courses in horse care, animal grooming, equestrian sports, veterinary nursing, animal behaviour, and pet shop management. Whether you love fish, birds, or native wildlife — there is an animal career course here for you.
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Job Pathways
Here are some potential career pathways within animal welfare and veterinary. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Popular Animal Welfare and Veterinary Courses
There are 12 courses available for people who want a career in Animal Welfare and Veterinary.
ACM20121
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Possible job outcomes:
Animal Shelter Attendant
Kennel Attendant
Kennel Hand
Animal Attendant
Wildlife Carer
Zoo Keeper
Get started as an animal carer with the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This nationally recognised training course qualifies you for support roles at animal shelters, kennels, pet shops, and wildlife centres. The course covers: feeding and watering animals, cleaning pens and enclosures, assisting with animal health care, communicating with co-workers, keeping safe at work, assisting with animal enrichment and welfare, providing animal first aid, basic grooming, and much more. Enquire now for the full list of study units, animal care career outcomes, and upcoming enrolment dates. Learn more.
ACM30122
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Possible job outcomes:
Animal Attendant
Pet Groomer
Kennel Attendant
Get a job at a pet shop, rescue shelter, or grooming organisation with the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. This nationally recognised qualification allows you to choose specialist electives in animal care and welfare, pet grooming, or customer service. Career competencies include: understanding animal behaviour, interacting safely with animals, providing basic animal first aid, communicating with clients and your work team, staying safe at work, ensuring the health and wellbeing of animals in care. Enquire now for the list of study units, animal care career outcomes, and upcoming enrolment opportunities in your region. Learn more.
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Wildlife Scientist
Environmental Biologist
Wildlife Conservator
Wildlife Management Officer
Wildlife Ecologist
Wildlife Manager
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Wildlife Biology) offers a deep exploration of wildlife ecology, conservation, and behaviour. This course equips students with vital skills in assessing and managing diverse ecosystems, ensuring the wellbeing and conservation of wildlife populations. Through advanced research and fieldwork, students gain hands-on experience and insights into wildlife habitats and challenges they face. This training is pivotal for those aspiring to make meaningful contributions to wildlife preservation and sustainable ecosystem management. Learn more.
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Possible job outcomes:
Veterinarian
The Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) offers a comprehensive understanding of factors affecting the health of both domestic and farm animals. This course equips with the foundational skills needed for diagnosing animal illnesses and administering appropriate care. This holistic approach to animal health combines knowledge from various scientific disciplines, preparing graduates for a diverse range of opportunities in veterinary medicine and animal care. Learn more.
ACM50119
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Possible job outcomes:
Animal Technician
The ACM50119 Diploma of Animal Technology is for senior technicians and supervisors at animal research centres or laboratories. Over 12-18 months of training you will learn how to safely perform a range of procedures on research animals including anaesthesia, scientific surgery, embryo collection, euthanasia, and non-surgical procedures. The course also covers: laboratory safety, animal enrichment and wellbeing, microscope work, and infection controls. Enquire now for the list of study units, entry requirements, and enrolment opportunities near you. Learn more.
ACM40418
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Possible job outcomes:
Equine Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Nurse
Become a qualified veterinary nurse with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418). This hands-on training course teaches you how to assist a vet during animal surgery, prepare for anaesthesia, then nurse and monitor the animals through their recovery. The course also covers: vet clinic routines and infection controls, veterinary drugs and poisons, animal nutrition and wellbeing. To graduate from this nationally recognised training course you must complete 240 hours of work placement.Enquire now for the latest enrolment opportunities and for more details about securing a work placement. Learn more.
ACM40818
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Possible job outcomes:
Farrier
Turn your love of horses into a professional career with the ACM40818 Certificate IV in Farriery. During 3 years of practical training, this nationally recognised training course will teach you how to safely administer a full range of hoof care and horseshoeing services — plus give you the business skills you need to setup your own farrier service micro-business. The course covers: horse handling, horseshoe construction, welding, hoof trimming — and business skills related to tax, insurance and financial management of an Australian micro-business.
Enquire now for a list of study units and training dates. Learn more.
RGR40118
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Possible job outcomes:
Horse Trainer
Become a professional horse trainer working in the Australian racing industry with the RGR40118 Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer). This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing skills and experience, and teaches you how to supervise the handling of horses, manage horse welfare, and run a horse training business. The course also covers: selecting horses for different riders and handlers, applying knowledge of horse behaviour, managing equine biosecurity and infection controls, business administration and marketing skills. The course has scope to specialise in either horse racing or pacing. Enquire now for the full list of study units, graduation outcomes, and enrolment centres near you. Learn more.
RGR30218
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Possible job outcomes:
Stable Hand
Become a professional stable hand with the RGR30218 Certificate III in Racing (Stablehand). This nationally recognised certificate qualifies you for roles in either harness racing or thoroughbred horse racing. The course is hands-on and you will learn how to handle racehorses in the stables and at trackwork. The course also covers: following instructions from the trainer, overseeing the safe transporting of horses, identifying issues with a horse’s fitness and race suitability, equine first aid, and much more. Learn more.
ACM30321
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Possible job outcomes:
Zoo Keeper
Zoologist
Wildlife Carer
Want to work at the zoo or wildlife sanctuary? The Certificate ACM30321 III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care is a pathway to professional and volunteer work as a zoo keeper. Your course begins with an introduction to the safety and biosecurity requirements when working with wild animals. You’ll then learn how to feed and care for the animals, including enrichment activities, capture, restraint, transfer, and monitoring. Enquire now for the full list of zookeeping career competencies and available course openings in your area. Learn more.
22513VIC
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Possible job outcomes:
Trainee Farrier
Stable Hand
If you want to work with horses you need the 22513VIC Certificate III in Equine Studies. This nationally recognised qualification will improve your knowledge of horse behaviour, and teach you how to work safely in a range of industries with horses. The course covers: horse handling, equine anatomy and physiology, horse feeding, pregnancy, health and welfare practices. Enquire now for the full list of study units, elective options, and enrolment centres near you. Learn more.
RGR30518
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Possible job outcomes:
Track Rider
Get started in the horse racing industry as a track work rider with the RGR30518 Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider). This nationally recognised qualification will help you develop the high-level riding skills you need to exercise thoroughbred racehorses at varying paces. The course also covers: racing industry ethics and integrity, personal health and fitness for working with horses, attending horses at race meetings and trials, handling horses in the stables, horse behaviour knowledge. Enquire now for the full list of entry requirements, graduation competencies, and enrolment centres near you. Learn more.
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Courses by Location
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