Animal Care

Browse careers that are in demand now and meet Australia’s future workforce needs.

Wildlife Carer

A Wildlife Carer cares for injured native animals and orphans until they can be released back into the wild, requiring flexibility and patience.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Zoo Keeper

A Zoo Keeper cares for animals, maintains enclosures, provides enrichment, conducts presentations, and ensures welfare in zoos or sanctuaries.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Advanced

Wildlife Rehabilitator

A Wildlife Rehabilitator cares for injured or orphaned wildlife, providing medical treatment and rehabilitation to prepare them for release into their habitats.

Avg yearly income $69,524
Skill level Advanced

Kennel Hand

A Kennel Hand manages daily tasks at a boarding kennel, including cleaning, feeding, exercising dogs, and handling grooming while ensuring their welfare.

Avg yearly income $54,600
Skill level Beginner

Animal Attendant

An Animal Attendant cares for animals by providing food, monitoring health, cleaning, and grooming. Patience and observation skills are essential.

Avg yearly income $61,880
Skill level Beginner

Cattery Attendant

A Cattery Attendant cares for cats, ensuring their needs are met, maintaining enclosures, and managing check-ins and check-outs.

Avg yearly income $52,000
Skill level Beginner

Kennel Attendant

A Kennel Attendant cares for dogs in a boarding kennel, ensuring they are fed, exercised, and their environment is clean while liaising with owners.

Avg yearly income $54,600
Skill level Beginner

Animal Technician

An Animal Technician monitors animal health, provides care, follows procedures, and ensures welfare in research or agricultural settings.

Avg yearly income $69,940
Skill level Beginner

Animal Welfare Officer

An Animal Welfare Officer ensures humane treatment of animals by investigating abuse, enforcing laws, and promoting proper care and welfare practices.

Avg yearly income $79,300
Skill level Advanced

Livestock Manager

A Livestock Manager oversees the care and management of livestock, ensuring animal health and productivity while complying with welfare regulations.

Avg yearly income $72,800
Skill level Advanced

Zoologist

A Zoologist researches animal behaviours, habitats, and genetics, conducts fieldwork, collects samples, and helps manage conservation programs.

Avg yearly income $97,500
Skill level Advanced

Ecologist

An Ecologist studies ecosystems and biodiversity, conducts field surveys, analyses data, develops conservation plans, and advises on sustainability.

Avg yearly income $101,140
Skill level Advanced

Pet Groomer

A pet groomer enhances the appearance of pets through bathing, grooming, and health checks while needing patience, flexibility, and good people skills.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Courses in animal care

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
AMP80215

Graduate Diploma of Agribusiness
On Campus
12 months
$25,000
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above relevant to an agrifood industry OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Agricultural Economist Agricultural Consultant
Operations Manager Supply Chain Manager Livestock Manager Agricultural Manager
+ 4 more
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above relevant to an agrifood industry OR
  • Evidence of relevant skills, knowledge and employment experience
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Agricultural Economist Agricultural Consultant Operations Manager Supply Chain Manager Livestock Manager Agricultural Manager + 4 more
AHC40122

Certificate IV in Agriculture
On Campus, Online, Traineeship
6 - 30 months
$0 - $19,124
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Station Manager Livestock Manager
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Farm Manager Station Manager Livestock Manager
AHC51422

Diploma of Agribusiness Management
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
12 - 24 months
$0 - $17,113
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Livestock Manager Farm Manager Station Manager
Dairy Farm Manager Agribusiness Manager
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Livestock Manager Farm Manager Station Manager Dairy Farm Manager Agribusiness Manager + 2 more
AHC50122

Diploma of Agriculture
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
9 - 24 months
$0 - $20,100
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Dairy Farm Manager Station Manager Farm Manager
Farmer Seed Technician Livestock Manager
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Dairy Farm Manager Station Manager Farm Manager Farmer Seed Technician Livestock Manager + 3 more
AMP31116

Certificate III in Meat Processing (Livestock Handling)
Blended
24 months
$4,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Packer Meat Inspector Animal Welfare Officer
Livestock Handler Abattoir Labourer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Meat Packer Meat Inspector Animal Welfare Officer Livestock Handler Abattoir Labourer + 2 more
ACM30219

Certificate III in Animal Technology
On Campus
6 months
$5,500
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician
RGR10118

Certificate I in Racing
Online
12 weeks
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Stable Hand Racing Cadet Steward Kennel Hand
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Stable Hand Racing Cadet Steward Kennel Hand
ACM50119

Diploma of Animal Technology
On Campus, Online
12 - 18 months
$8,750 - $19,595
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician Animal Health Officer Animal Welfare Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician Animal Health Officer Animal Welfare Officer
ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
7 - 21 months
$0 - $12,978
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Welfare Officer Animal Management Officer Kennel Hand
Cattery Attendant Animal Control Officer Apprentice Animal Trainer Assistant Dog Trainer Animal Technician Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant
+ 7 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Welfare Officer Animal Management Officer Kennel Hand Cattery Attendant Animal Control Officer Apprentice Animal Trainer Assistant Dog Trainer Animal Technician Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant + 7 more
ACM30321

Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
12 - 18 months
$0 - $13,321
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Officer Veterinary Nurse Wildlife Rehabilitator
Field Assistant Zoo Keeper Wildlife Carer
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Officer Veterinary Nurse Wildlife Rehabilitator Field Assistant Zoo Keeper Wildlife Carer + 3 more
ACM20121

Certificate II in Animal Care
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
4 - 12 months
$0 - $7,448
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Wildlife Carer
Zoo Keeper Animal Trainer Assistant Dog Trainer Apprentice Animal Trainer Cattery Attendant Animal Shelter Manager Wildlife Officer
+ 7 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Wildlife Carer Zoo Keeper Animal Trainer Assistant Dog Trainer Apprentice Animal Trainer Cattery Attendant Animal Shelter Manager Wildlife Officer + 7 more
ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming)
Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$0 - $13,382
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Pet Groomer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Pet Groomer
ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Customer Service)
Distance
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Kennel Attendant Animal Attendant Cattery Attendant
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Kennel Attendant Animal Attendant Cattery Attendant
RGR10118

Certificate I in Racing (Stablehand)
On Campus
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Kennel Attendant Kennel Hand Stable Hand
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Kennel Attendant Kennel Hand Stable Hand

Bachelor of Science (Animal Biology)
On Campus
3 years
$26,565 - $27,942
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Sheep Shearer Veterinary Scientist Veterinarian
Veterinary Surgeon Animal Scientist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Rehabilitator Zoologist
+ 5 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Sheep Shearer Veterinary Scientist Veterinarian Veterinary Surgeon Animal Scientist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Rehabilitator Zoologist + 5 more

Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $88,800
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Nutritionist Animal Welfare Officer Animal Scientist
Animal Health Officer Veterinary Technician Veterinarian Veterinary Surgeon Sheep Shearer Wool Worker Animal Management Officer Animal Shelter Manager
+ 8 more

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $45,426
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Ecologist Science Technician
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Ecologist Science Technician

Bachelor of Science (Biology)
Blended, On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $76,320
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Biotechnologist Ecologist
Biology Teacher Forensic Biologist Clinical Researcher Forensic Entomologist
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Biotechnologist Ecologist Biology Teacher Forensic Biologist Clinical Researcher Forensic Entomologist + 4 more

Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology)
On Campus
3 years
$24,450 - $27,402
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Conservation Officer Environmental Consultant
Natural Resource Manager Wildlife Conservator Conservationist
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Conservation Officer Environmental Consultant Natural Resource Manager Wildlife Conservator Conservationist + 3 more

Bachelor of Science (Ecology)
On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $32,583
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Environmental Consultant Wildlife Biologist Ecologist
Ecology Consultant Conservation Researcher
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Environmental Consultant Wildlife Biologist Ecologist Ecology Consultant Conservation Researcher + 2 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Further reading

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More about animal care courses

Gain practical skills to work in kennels or catteries, providing love, grooming, and safety to animals.

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