Animal Attendants and Trainers train, feed, groom and care for animals. This occupation group covers Animal Attendants and Trainers not elsewhere classified (ANZSCO).

Skill Level

3

Specialisations

• Crutching Contractor
• Muleser

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Animal Attendants and Trainers nec is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Two pathways for skills assessment by VETASSESS
  • Pathway A – Qualification/s assessed at least AQF Certificate II with a highly relevant field of study and at least one year of postqualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
  • Pathway B- Qualification/s assessed at Australian Certificate II without a highly relevant field of study and at least two years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
• For nec occupations, VETASSESS conducts a case-by-case assessment to determine whether the employment can be considered highly relevant to the classification.
• Highly relevant fields of study would include a major focus in an area that is highly relevant to the subsequent not elsewhere classified (nec) employment.
• Applicants should provide a cover letter that justifies the rationale for choosing an nec category.

Train, feed, groom and care for animals.

Tasks

• teaching animals to obey verbal and non-verbal commands and addressing behavioural problems
• training animals to accept riders and pull vehicles
• training animals to perform in competitions
• bathing, cutting, combing, blow-drying and styling pets’ coats, clipping their nails and cleaning their ears
• inspecting, preparing, cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining comfortable animal cages and enclosures
• transporting food, filling water troughs and feeding animals according to their individual needs
• maintaining animal health records, treating minor injuries and reporting serious conditions to Veterinarians
• exercising and playing with animals, answering visitor questions, and transferring animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them
• dusting and spraying insecticides on animals and immersing them in insecticide baths, to control insect pests

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia:
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations in this Group

• 361111 Dog Trainer or Handler
• 361112 Horse Trainer
• 361113 Pet Groomer
• 361114 Zookeeper
• 361115 Kennel Hand
• 361199 Animal Attendants and Trainers nec