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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

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 Unknown

Wildlife Biologist

A Wildlife Biologist studies animal species and habitats, conducting research to support conservation efforts and manage ecosystems effectively.

Avg yearly income $96,200
Skill level Unknown
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Courses in animal care

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
ACM20121

Certificate II in Animal Care
On Campus
12 months
$5,224
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Kennel Hand
Animal Shelter Attendant Wildlife Carer Zoo Keeper
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Kennel Hand Animal Shelter Attendant Wildlife Carer Zoo Keeper + 3 more
ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services
On Campus
12 months
$11,232
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Pet Groomer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Attendant Kennel Attendant Pet Groomer
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
ACM50119

Diploma of Animal Technology
On Campus, Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $19,595
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Technician
ACM30321

Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care
Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $13,321
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Wildlife Carer Zoo Keeper Zoologist
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Wildlife Carer Zoo Keeper Zoologist
ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming)
Blended, Distance, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
$0 - $12,978
  • 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
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Kennel Attendant Animal Attendant

Bachelor of Science (Animal Biology)
On Campus
3 years
$27,540
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Scientist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Rehabilitator
Zoologist
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Scientist Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Rehabilitator Zoologist + 1 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
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Nutritionist Animal Welfare Officer Animal Scientist Animal Health Officer Veterinary Technician + 2 more

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
Blended, On Campus, Online
3 years
$0 - $45,426
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Ecologist Geneticist
Microbiologist Research Scientist
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Ecologist Geneticist Microbiologist Research Scientist + 2 more

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
Environmental Manager Research Scientist Biology Teacher
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Biotechnologist Ecologist Environmental Manager Research Scientist Biology Teacher + 3 more

Bachelor of Science (Conservation Biology)
On Campus
3 years
$0 - $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)
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $32,583
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ecologist Environmental Consultant Conservation Manager
Wildlife Biologist
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ecologist Environmental Consultant Conservation Manager Wildlife Biologist + 1 more

Bachelor of Science (Ecology and Conservation Biology)
On Campus
3 years
$0 - $123,300
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Ecologist Ecology Consultant
Environmental Consultant
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Ecologist Ecology Consultant Environmental Consultant + 1 more

Bachelor of Science (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $27,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Conservation Officer Ecologist
Environmental Consultant Zoologist
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biologist Conservation Officer Ecologist Environmental Consultant Zoologist + 2 more

Bachelor of Science (Ecosystem Science)
On Campus
3 years
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Officer Ecologist Environmental Consultant
Natural Resource Manager Wildlife Biologist
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Officer Ecologist Environmental Consultant Natural Resource Manager Wildlife Biologist + 2 more

Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
On Campus
3 years
$0 - $123,300
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Ecologist Environmental Manager
Environmental Scientist Natural Resource Manager Sustainability Specialist
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Conservation Biologist Ecologist Environmental Manager Environmental Scientist Natural Resource Manager Sustainability Specialist + 3 more

Bachelor of Science (Zoology)
On Campus
3 years
$0 - $123,300
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ecologist Ecology Consultant Zoo Keeper
Zoologist Animal Behaviourist Conservation Officer Animal Nutritionist
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Ecologist Ecology Consultant Zoo Keeper Zoologist Animal Behaviourist Conservation Officer Animal Nutritionist + 4 more

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Animal Science)
Blended, On Campus
12 months
$0 - $8,360
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Management Officer Animal Shelter Manager Animal Scientist
Animal Nutritionist Animal Welfare Officer
+ 2 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Management Officer Animal Shelter Manager Animal Scientist Animal Nutritionist Animal Welfare Officer + 2 more

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biological Sciences)
On Campus
12 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biotechnologist Marine Biologist Research Scientist
Biologist Ecologist Microbiologist
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biotechnologist Marine Biologist Research Scientist Biologist Ecologist Microbiologist + 3 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related study areas

Animal Training

These nationally recognised qualifications will teach you the finer points of animal behaviour and refine your skills in behaviour correction.

Career opportunities Apprentice Animal Trainer Assistant Dog Trainer Animal Trainer Animal Behaviourist Dog Trainer View all

Equine

Courses cover all facets of horse handling, behaviour and nutrition — as well as horse riding confidence and advanced coaching techniques.

Career opportunities Stable Hand Stable Manager Trainee Farrier Farrier Track Rider Racing Cadet Steward Horse Trainer Jockey Horse Breeding Assistant Horse Riding Instructor View all

Further reading

Most popular animal welfare and veterinary courses

12th April 2022

How to start a career in Dog Training

26th August 2021

How to start a career in Veterinary Nursing

7th September 2021

Courses by location