This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge required for individuals undertaking a range of animal care functions in a zoo, wildlife sanctuary, aquaria or other facility where animals are cared for or exhibited. It applies to individuals who undertake activities autonomously or in teams working under broad direction. Activities may include individual animal welfare to social group management in small to large scale facilities.
Job roles covered by this qualification may include:
- Zookeeper/Animal carer
- Native wildlife carer
- Wildlife rehabilitator
- Animal technical officer
- Aquarist.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
2 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Assess the welfare status of an animal | Core |
| Assist with capturing, restraining and moving animals | Core |
| Communicate effectively with clients and team members | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | Core |
| Prepare and maintain animal habitats | Core |
| Prepare and present information to the public | Core |
| Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | Core |
| Provide enrichment for animals | Core |
| Provide nutritional requirements for animals | Core |
| Work within a zoological facility | Core |
| Assist at wildlife events | Elective |
| Care for crocodiles over 1.2 metres in a controlled environment | Elective |
| Care for young animals | Elective |
| Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | Elective |
| Condition animal behaviour | Elective |
| Contribute to exhibit design and renovation planning | Elective |
| Develop husbandry guidelines | Elective |
| Follow containment and exclusion procedures in animal facilities | Elective |
| Identify and report signs of unusual disease or pest | Elective |
| Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | Elective |
| Implement infection control in the handling and care of native wildlife | Elective |
| Maintain wildlife habitat refuges | Elective |
| Monitor animal reproduction | Elective |
| Participate in large whale disentanglement operations | Elective |
| Participate in marine wildlife pollution event | Elective |
| Provide basic animal first aid | Elective |
| Provide general care of amphibians | Elective |
| Provide general care of birds | Elective |
| Provide general care of common native mammals | Elective |
| Provide general care of fish | Elective |
| Provide general care of invertebrates | Elective |
| Provide general care of mammals | Elective |
| Provide general care of non-venomous reptiles | Elective |
| Recognise plants | Elective |
| Rehabilitate native wildlife | Elective |
| Release native wildlife to the natural environment | Elective |
| Respond to marine wildlife stranding | Elective |
| Respond to marine wildlife welfare | Elective |
| Respond to wildlife emergencies | Elective |
| Support species population planning and management | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Zookeeper
ANZSCO 361114
Zookeepers feed, provide water for and monitor the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, clean, fix and maintain animal cages, and inform visitors about animals.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Other Animal Attendant and Trainer
ANZSCO 361199
Other Animal Attendants and Trainers includes jobs like Crutching Contractor, and Muleser.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Veterinary Nurse
ANZSCO 361311
Veterinary Nurses care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CAREERS TRAINING CENTRE (RTO code 40557)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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AUSTRALIA'S TEACHING ZOO (RTO code 46432)
Contact this provider
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GLOBAL TRAINING MASTERS PTY LTD (RTO code 46612)
Contact this provider
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NATIONAL TRAINING MASTERS (RTO code 91284)
Contact this provider
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Taronga Training Institute (RTO code 91359)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.