The animal care and management industry in Australia is very broad and deals with all aspects of animal care, breeding, handling, regulation, as well as medical, technology and other services.

Careers options are just as diverse and include animal welfare officers and inspectors, local council and port officials, pet product producers and retailers, groomers, animal attendants, zookeepers, pet food and accessories manufacturing, animal technicians, laboratory staff and veterinary nurses.

Key areas include the following:

• Animal care, handling and welfare – Ensuring a good state of welfare for native and domestic animals in terms of disease prevention, veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, handling, rehabilitation and humane slaughter
• Assistance & therapy animals – Training animals to support individuals with disabilities
• Animal control and regulation – Managing stray animals and enforcing welfare regulations
• Animal Technology – care and welfare of laboratory animals involved in developing treatments for diseases, new methods of diagnosis, and scientific research
• Captive Wildlife Operations – care, management and rehabilitation of wildlife held in captivity
• Pet and companion animal services – Primarily for a company, protection or entertainment. 
• Veterinary and related services – Providing medical care for pets, livestock, and wildlife.

🐾 Animal Care, Handling and Welfare

This sector is aimed at training specialised service…..

Animal Groomer

Provides grooming services to animals, such as bathing, clipping nails, and trimming fur.

Animal Attendant

Provides basic care for animals, including feeding, cleaning, and observing their behaviour.

Wildlife Rehabilitator

Cares for injured or sick wildlife with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild.

Equine Dentist

Specialises in the oral health of horses. They diagnose, treat, and prevent dental diseases and disorders, ensuring horses can chew, eat, and perform comfortably.

Farrier

Specialises in equine hoof care, by trimming, balancing, and shoeing horses’ hooves. They combine blacksmith skills (shoe fabrication and fitting) with a veterinarian’s understanding of equine anatomy and physiology to ensure healthy and comfortable feet for horses.

Stablehand

Provides daily care for horses, including cleaning stalls, feeding, grooming, and exercising the animals. They also monitor the horses for signs of illness or injury and assist with their preparation for races, competitions, or other events.

🐕‍🦺 Assistance & Therapy Animals

This sector is aimed at training specialised service animals (primarily dogs) to support individuals with disabilities or to assist in therapeutic settings. This includes assistance animals trained to perform specific tasks like guiding individuals with visual impairments or alerting those with medical conditions.

Animal Therapist

These professionals work with animals to provide therapeutic benefits to individuals with various conditions. They may work in hospitals, schools, or private practice.

Therapy Dog Handler

Individuals who train and work with therapy dogs to provide emotional support and companionship in hospitals, schools, or other settings.

Animal Trainer

Trains animals, such as dogs, for various purposes, including therapy work, assistance work, or performing specific skills.

🚨 Animal Control and Regulation

This sector encompasses various occupations including:

Pound Manager

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of an animal shelter or pound, ensuring the welfare of the animals under their care.

Animal Welfare Officer / Ranger

Enforces animal welfare laws, investigates complaints, and works to improve animal conditions.

🔬 Animal Technology

This is a specialist sector that covers the care and welfare of laboratory animals involved in developing treatments for diseases, new methods of diagnosis, and scientific research. The sector includes positions such as:

Animal Technician

Supports research and breeding activities by caring for animals used in scientific research. Duties include daily tasks like feeding, watering, cleaning, bedding changes, and monitoring the animals’ health and well-being. They also assist with procedures, record keeping, and ensuring compliance with animal welfare regulations.

Laboratory Animal Researcher

Conducts research on animals, typically in a laboratory setting, to gain biological knowledge or solve specific scientific or medical problems.

Animal Facilities Manager

Oversees all aspects of an animal laboratory, ensuring proper care, safety, and compliance as well as maintaining the facility’s infrastructure.

🦁 Captive Wildlife Operations

This sector is aimed at training specialised service…..

Zookeepers

Responsible for the daily care, feeding, enrichment, and observation of animals in zoos and wildlife parks, aquariums, and theme parks.

Wildlife Attendants and Carers

Assist with feeding, cleaning enclosures, and providing basic care for animals within wildlife parks, wildlife care & rehabilitation facilities.

🐶 Pet and Companion Animal Services

This sector is aimed at training specialised service…..

Animal Trainer

Also known as animal handler or animal attendant. Cares for, trains and interacts with a variety of animals. Duties include teaching commands for specific tasks, addressing behavioural issues, daily care tasks, administering medications, and ensuring enclosures are clean and comfortable. They may work in various settings like zoos, aquariums, shelters, farms, or even in the entertainment industry.

Groomer

Cares for the hygiene and appearance of dogs and other pets. Duties include bathing, brushing, hair trimming, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. Groomers may also check for parasites or skin conditions and offer advice on grooming practices.

Kennel Attendant

Provides daily care for dogs and cats in a boarding kennel or similar facility. Duties include feeding, exercising, cleaning, and maintaining well-being, observing and reporting on health and behaviour.

Pet Exerciser

Provides structured exercise and enrichment activities for companion animals, such as walks and playtime, ensuring their physical and mental well-being.

Animal Breeder

Selectively breeds animals to produce offspring with desirable traits, while ensuring the well-being and health of parent animals and their offspring.

Security Dog Handler

Trains, manages, and deploys a security dog to deter crime, detect contraband, and maintain security in various environments.

Pet Shop / Aquarium Assistant / Manager

Feeds, cleans, and grooms animals, advises customers on pet care products and needs, maintains stock, and ensures the store is clean and tidy. They may also assist with animal handling, including exercising and transferring animals.

🏥 Veterinary and Related Services

Focuses mainly on Veterinary Nursing, where nursing staff work with veterinarians in animal hospitals, veterinary practices, animal welfare organisations, research and teaching institutions, and government bodies.

Veterinary Nurse

Assists veterinarians in providing medical care to animals, including administering medications, taking vital signs, and performing minor procedures.