The advancement of the animal care industry in Australia in 2025 is promising as it has opened up numerous job positions in animal care clinics, zoos, animal shelters, and wildlife parks. Currently, there is a vacancy of 700 animal care jobs in Australia. Job positions include veterinary nurses, animal attendants, zookeepers, trainers, and wildlife carers, all of which emphasize the increasing attention Australia is focusing on animal welfare and conservation. With such a demand, the animal care industry has become a highly sought field of work for those passionate about animal welfare.
Salary Snapshot of Common Animal Care Roles
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (AUD) | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Nurse | $45,000 – $70,000 | Assisting vets, administering medications, diagnostics |
| Zookeeper | $57,000 | Feeding, grooming, habitat maintenance, enrichment |
| Animal Attendant | $66,560 (median annual) | Feeding, training, grooming, health monitoring |
| Guest Service Agent | $62,500 | Managing visitor experiences and administrative tasks |
| Animal Trainer | $66,560 (median annual) | Training animals, addressing behavioral issues |
The animal care jobs Australia has to offer all involve a different set of duties. Primary job titles include:
– Veterinary nurses who provide care to sick and injured animals.
– Zookeepers who take care of the daily needs of zoo animals.
– Trainers as well as animal attendants who provide training and grooming services to animals.
– Wildlife ecologists who work on the management and conservation of habitats.
– Guest service agents and event managers who work on the improvement of animals along with zoo operations.
Here, the roles are expected to possess tailored skills, earning in the range of $45,000 to $70,000 per year, alongside obtaining either Certificate III or IV in Animal Care or Veterinary nursing. Veterinary nurses are one example, who earn on the lower end of the range, while zookeepers are estimated to be earning $57,000. Animal attendants are also estimated to be earning $1,280 on a median weekly basis.
The salary for various positions in Australia, and their respective responsibilities as of the year 2025 are presented in the remaining part of the document.
Professional Advancement and Entry Requirements
Like other fields, the animal care and zoological sectors require relevant certifications coupled with work experience to gain entry. Usually for the base roles, the relevant certifications are Certificate III in Animal Care, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, and other Zoological or Environmental Science associated degrees. Numerous zoos and wildlife parks partner with animal care training organizations to provide relevant courses. Employability skills are also enhanced from undertaking apprenticeships or internship training.
Career growth develops through years of experience starting from junior roles up to senior positions such as Senior Technical Officer Zoology at some of Australia’s premier zoos, including Perth Zoo. Professional Development is highly stressed, with workers learning about animal nutrition, behaviour, animal welfare, as well as conservation.
Career Opportunities in Australia
Jobs focusing on animal care are commonly advertised at Sydney Zoo, Perth Zoo, as well as multiple wildlife parks throughout Australia. Informal employment websites such as Indeed feature hundreds of current animal care as well as zoo job vacancies, including full-time, part-time, as well as casual positions. Numerous charities focusing on animal welfare also provide employment opportunities aimed at animal rescue as well as rehoming. Moreover, employment opportunities in these roles also extend to qualified foreign candidates who require visa sponsorship.
Rewarding Aspects of Animal Care Work
The opportunity to work with wildlife protects and conserves them, and also helps to educate the general public about them, which makes the job quite rewarding. On the other hand, the work is also extremely labor intensive. It needs dedication and focus, as well as the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions. There is also a personal component, as the animal’s health and well-being needs compassion.
FAQs
1. What are the qualifications for animal care jobs in Australia?
Only a few animal care positions are available for those lacking a Certificate III or IV in Animal Care or a Certificate in Veterinary Nursing, while other positions may hold a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline. [2
2. International applicants. Is there consideration for such candidates?
Certainly, a number of animal care positions available at this time are willing to provide visa sponsorship for candidates outside of the country. [9]
3. What is the average salary of a zookeeper in Australia?
A zookeeper’s average annual salary amounts to approximately 57,000 Australian dollars.
4. How do I apply for positions? Where to find Australian zoos that are currently hiring?
Current positions available are featured on many sites including Indeed and the websites for individual zoos, a number of zoos associations, and institutions which provide zookeeper training.
