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An Animal Trainer teaches animals to follow commands and show expected behaviours when required. You might be training working dogs, assistance animals, performance pets or security dogs. You may also work with regular pets to improve their behaviour or reduce problematic issues. Animal Trainers educate owners and handlers on appropriate training strategies. You’ll usually work with individual animals but you might also train a group of animal at once.
Animal Trainers should be very patient and be willing to work with a range of behaviours and issues. You should have excellent animal handling skills and a thorough understanding of animal behaviour. Animal Trainers need good observational skills and should be ready for some physical work. It’s important that you are a good problem solver and can communicate well with both animals and people.
There is one course available for people who want to become an Animal Trainer.
Possible job outcomes:
The ACM40322 - Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training equips students with essential skills and knowledge to work as animal trainers or practitioners. This qualification is ideal for those interested in animal-assisted services, rehoming, adoption, rehabilitation, or species-specific training. Specialisations include conditioning, training techniques, and interpreting animal behaviour, though they are not mandatory. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles that require ethical practice and collaboration with animal carers or owners. Enquire now for the full list of elective choices, entry requirements, and available enrolment dates..
Average duration: 12 months.
In Australia, a full time Animal Trainer generally earns $1,250 per week ($65,000 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 decreased in recent years. There are currently 4,100 animal attendants in Australia and many are employed as Animal Trainers. Animal Trainers may find work in all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
If a career as an Animal Trainer interests you, consider enrolling in a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Studies. This course covers a range of topics such as training animals and animal care. You’ll learn to work with a range of animals including dogs, cats, birds and mammals.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within animal training. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Animal Training
Apprentice Animal Trainer
$960 weekly pay
Assistant Dog Trainer
Animal Behaviourist
$1,250 weekly pay
Animal Trainer
Dog Trainer
Learn more about Animal Trainer courses in your area.