Animal Trainer

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.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $65,000
Skill level Unknown

How do I become a animal trainer?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
ACM40322

Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
Blended, On Campus, Online
12 - 20 months
$0 - $22,166
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Trainer Animal Behaviourist Zoo Keeper
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Animal Trainer Animal Behaviourist Zoo Keeper
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Apprentice Animal Trainer

An Apprentice Animal Trainer modifies animal behaviour, trains therapy, service, and performance animals, and guides owners on handling techniques.

Avg yearly income $49,920
Skill level Unknown

Assistant Dog Trainer

An Assistant Dog Trainer uses various strategies to train dogs in obedience or behaviour modification, working with both pets and service animals.

Avg yearly income $52,000
Skill level Unknown

Animal Behaviourist

An Animal Behaviourist identifies and addresses behavioural issues in animals, creating training programmes while advising owners on effective solutions.

Avg yearly income $78,520
Skill level Unknown

Dog Trainer

A Dog Trainer teaches dogs and their owners new behaviours and skills, addressing issues like aggression or social skills while requiring patience and strong communication.

Avg yearly income $69,940
Skill level Unknown

Common questions

How much does an Animal Trainer earn?

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.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for an Animal Trainer?

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

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become an Animal Trainer?

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.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How to start a career in Dog Training

26th August 2021

Most popular animal welfare and veterinary courses

12th April 2022

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