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A Zoo Keeper cares for animals in zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, nature parks and aquariums. You might work with a particular kind of animal or you might use your skills across all areas of the animal facility. Zoo Keepers may be involved with feeding and watering animals, cleaning their enclosures and transporting animals when required. You might also get to exercise and train animals and create enrichment activities for them. A Zoo Keeper will also conduct educational presentations for the public.
Zoo Keepers should be passionate about animals and conservation issues. You’ll need to be comfortable with a range of animal species and should be ready for some manual labour tasks. Zoo Keepers should be able to communicate well with the public and with other team members.
There are 8 courses available for people who want to become a Zoo Keeper. These are the top 5 most popular courses.
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.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Zoology) delves into diverse areas such as climate change biology, insect science, physiology, and marine biology, among others. This course equips students with the capability to work within research teams, fostering skills in experiment planning, technique acquisition, and result interpretation. A comprehensive understanding of zoological topics prepares graduates for various scientific endeavours..
The Bachelor of Science (Zoology) focuses on the study of animals and their diverse habitats, from deserts to rainforests. This course offers a deep understanding of animal biology, including structure, function, and evolution. It also covers specialized topics like physiology, behavior, and genetics. This foundational knowledge is crucial for addressing issues in conservation, marine science, and ecosystem management, among other areas..
Average duration: 3 years.
If you love animals the Bachelor of Zoology could launch your career as a zoo keeper, field researcher, author, conservation advocate, and ecologist. This fantastic degree has a number of study majors including animal ecology, applied zoology, natural history, paleobiology, wildlife and conservation. The program covers: introduction to biology, zoology in practice, organisms and ecosystems, vertebrates and invertebrates, animal behaviour, comparative physiology, and more..
If you’re planning a career as a Zoo Keeper, consider enrolling in a course such as a Certificate III in Captive Animals. This qualification explores topics like caring for animals, rehabilitating native wildlife and providing educational information to the public.
In Australia, a full time Zoo Keeper generally earns $1,300 per week ($67,600 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.
This industry has seen an increase in employment numbers in recent years. There are currently 1,200 people employed as a Zoo Keeper in Australia compared to 1,000 five years ago. Zoo Keepers may find work across all regions of Australia, particularly in larger towns and cities where zoos and animal sanctuaries are found.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
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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 Zoo Keeper courses in your area.