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A Wildlife Carer looks after injured or sick native animals until they can be returned to their natural habitat. You might be employed by an animal care facility or zoo or you might care for animals in your own home. Wildlife Carers may also look after baby animals who have been orphaned or separated from their parents until they are ready to be released into the wild.
Wildlife Carers need to be passionate about native animals and have excellent animal handling skills. You should be able to follow the directions of veterinary staff or animal care professionals. You’ll need to be flexible with your time and you’ll often have to work irregular hours or on weekends and public holidays. Wildlife Carers should be patient and able to deal with the unpredictable nature of wild animals.
There are 3 courses available for people who want to become a Wildlife Carer.
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.
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..
Average duration: 12 months.
Get a job in animal care with the ACM40222 Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management. This nationally recognised qualification will teach you how to oversee animal welfare at boarding kennels, breeding facilities, zoos, and wildlife parks and has specialisations in companion animal facilities, wildlife and exhibited animals, and general domestic care. Competencies include: maintaining site work health and safety, implementing animal welfare programs, overseeing site biosecurity and infection controls when working with animals, developing animal enrichment strategies, and much more. Enquire now for the list of entry requirements, animal industry career outcomes, and enrolment opportunities near you that offer this qualification..
In Australia, a full time Wildlife Carer generally earns $1,150 per week ($59,800 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.
The number of people working in this industry has remained stable in recent years. There are currently 16,500 people employed as an animal attendant in Australia and many of them work as Wildlife Carers. Wildlife Carers may find work across all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
If you’re interested in becoming a Wildlife Carer, consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Captive Animals. This course covers a range of topics including rescuing animals, applying first aid, rehabilitating native wildlife and caring for very young animals.
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 Wildlife Carer courses in your area.