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An Animal Attendant works with animals to ensure their needs are met while in their care. You’ll make sure animals have proper nutrition and fresh water and monitor all aspects of their health. You’ll clean their enclosures and make sure they have appropriate bedding. You might have to exercise animals or organise enrichment activities for them. Bathing and grooming animals will be part of your daily duties and you might be involved with their training or have to address problem behaviours. Animal Attendants work in a range of settings like animal shelters, pet shops and kennels or catteries.
Being an Animal Attendant requires some manual labour and possible heavy lifting. You’ll need to be confident with all sorts of animals and be able to handle various temperaments. Animal Attendants need to be patient, flexible and have good observation skills. It’s important that you are organised because you’ll usually be looking after many animals at one time.
There are 2 courses available for people who want to become an Animal Attendant.
Possible job outcomes:
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..
Average duration: 6 months.
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..
In Australia, a full time Animal Attendant generally earns $960 per week ($49,920 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
There are currently 16,500 Animal Attendants in Australia and this number is expected to increase in coming years. There will be 18,200 animal attendants in five years’ time. Animal Attendants can be found in all areas of Australia.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections
If you’re thinking of embarking on a career as an Animal Attendant you could enrol in a Certificate II or III in Animal Studies. These courses address the health, nutrition and hygiene information you need to succeed in this industry. You could also consider a Certificate III in Companion Animal Services.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within animal care. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Animal Care
Animal Attendant
$960 weekly pay
Cattery Attendant
Kennel Attendant
Kennel Hand
Pet Groomer
Animal Technician
$1,150 weekly pay
Ecologist
$1,540 weekly pay
Wildlife Carer
Wildlife Conservator
$1,250 weekly pay
Zoo Keeper
$1,300 weekly pay
Zoologist
$1,440 weekly pay
Learn more about Animal Attendant courses in your area.