Animal Management Officer Courses
An Animal Management Officer rescues mistreated animals, enforces laws, investigates breaches, and prepares reports while ensuring clear communication.
AI Exposure
Low

Core skills such as social intelligence and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
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How do I become a Animal Management Officer
Get qualified to work as a Animal Management Officer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
ACM30122
Duration
7 months - 21 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
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 anima...
Career opportunities
Duration
7 months - 21 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
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ACM40122
The nationally recognised ACM40122 Certificate IV in Animal Regulation and Management is the qualification for Council Pound Officers as well as people working at animal shelters and rural community outreach. You’ll learn how to administer animal management and regulatory requirements then choose electives that support your actual job role: investigations, animal holding facilities, animal management education, rural and remote community outreach. Competencies include: assessing and impounding animals, c...
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Estimated fee
From $23,919
Duration
3 years - 4 years
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The Bachelor of Animal Science enhances understanding and skills in animal production, management, and welfare, encompassing both domestic and wildlife species. This course opens pathways to various careers across Australia and globally, including animal production enterprises, ancillary industries, educational or advisory roles, research laboratories, fieldwork, and management and conservation in diverse habitats and organisations. It prepares students for a multitude of opportunities in the animal scien...
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Estimated fee
From $23,919
Duration
3 years - 4 years
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
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Estimated fee
From $26,850
The Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) offers an understanding of the societal and ethical contexts of conservation biology, animal behaviour, and animal welfare. This degree provides training in retrieving, analysing, and evaluating information pertinent to animal behaviour. It also focuses on effectively communicating this information to diverse audiences. This course is ideal for those seeking to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in animal behaviour within the broader framework of conservatio...
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $26,850
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Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Animal Management Officer.
Common questions

How much does an Animal Management Officer earn?
In Australia, a full time Animal Management Officer generally earns $1,515 per week ($78,780 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.

What are the job opportunities for an Animal Management Officer?
The number of people working in this industry is expected to increase over the next five years. There are currently 16,500 people employed as an animal attendant in Australia and many of them work as Animal Management Officers. Opportunities for Animal Management Officers can be found in all areas of Australia.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections

How do I become an Animal Management Officer?
If you’re planning a career as an Animal Management Officer, consider enrolling in a Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation. This course addresses topics relevant to an animal management career such as seizing, impounding and euthanising animals.
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Browse here online for the latest courses in horse care, animal grooming, equestrian sports, veterinary nursing, animal behaviour, and pet shop management.
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Gain practical skills to work in kennels or catteries, providing love, grooming, and safety to animals. Check your funding eligibility and apply today.
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These courses don’t just teach you how to catch and euthanise stray animals, you will learn underpinning state legislation and local government regulations, safety management approaches, and incident response.
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These nationally recognised qualifications will teach you the finer points of animal behaviour and refine your skills in behaviour correction.
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More information
An Animal Management Officer works with animals that have been lost, abandoned or mistreated. You’ll usually work for a local council and you may have to find and catch animals that are behaving dangerously or that are not properly restrained. Animal Management Officers also enforce local animal laws and investigate reported breaches. You may have to prepare reports on animal care cases and provide evidence when cases go to court.
Animal Management Officers need good investigative skills and also carry out a range of administrative duties. You’ll need to be good with animals and be skilled in techniques for handling aggressive animals. Animal Management Officers work as part of a larger team so you’ll need to be a good communicator. You may have to work a range of shifts including weekends and public holidays.
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