How do I become an animal attendant in Australia (is it a good career?)

What does an animal attendant do?

Animal carers provide hands-on care to support the daily welfare, health and hygiene of animals.

Their responsibilities often include:

• Feeding and monitoring animals
• Cleaning enclosures and maintaining hygiene standards
• Observing behaviour and reporting health concerns
• Providing enrichment and companionship
• Assisting senior staff or veterinary professionals
• Supporting business owners with day-to-day operations

This role is active, practical and deeply rewarding. You are directly responsible for ensuring animals are safe, comfortable and well cared for.

What skills do employers look for in an animal attendant?

While qualifications are important, employers also look for personal and professional qualities that demonstrate workplace readiness.

Animal care employers value:

• Reliability and punctuality
• Confidence handling animals safely
• Strong hygiene and infection control awareness
• Clear communication skills
• Emotional resilience
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Physical stamina

These skills, combined with formal training such as a ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, make you job-ready and competitive in entry-level animal care roles.

Where do animal attendants work?

Animal attendants can work in:

• Dog daycare centres
• Boarding kennels and catteries
• Breeding facilities
• Animal rescue organisations
• Grooming salons
• Veterinary clinics
• Pet shops
• Wildlife care facilities
• Animal shelters
• Training facilities
• Private zoos, wildlife parks or sanctuaries (entry-level support roles)
• Animal education centres (entry-level support roles)

One qualification can open doors to multiple industries, allowing you to explore where your interests truly lie.

Is being an animal attendant a good career?

For animal lovers, absolutely. The animal care industry continues to grow as pet ownership increases across Australia. With more families treating pets as family members, demand for qualified animal care workers remains steady across boarding, daycare and veterinary services.

It provides:

• A pathway into the animal care and veterinary industry
• Practical, hands-on experience
• Opportunities to specialise
• A stepping stone into veterinary nursing, wildlife care or behaviour and training
• Emotionally meaningful work

Many professionals in animal management and veterinary nursing began their careers as animal attendants.

What qualifications are required?

Most employers look for candidates who hold a ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This qualification is nationally recognised and designed to meet current industry standards within Australia’s animal care sector. (Some people may still refer to this as Certificate II in Animal Studies or simply Cert 2.)

This entry-level qualification provides the foundation skills required to work safely and confidently in animal care environments.

Many graduates then progress to:

• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
• ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
• ACM40222 Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management
• ACM40223 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour
• Other specialised Cert IV pathways

How Certificate II supports this role

The Certificate II in Animal Care teaches you the core skills and knowledge required to look after animals to industry standards.

You will learn:

• Best practice care techniques for different species
• How to prevent the spread of disease and infection
• Safe animal handling methods to reduce stress
• Workplace health and safety procedures
• How to manage the emotional aspects of working with animals

This qualification builds both technical ability and professional confidence.

👉 Explore our Certificate II in Animal Care course to see how you can get started.

How much do animal attendants earn?

Wages, salary and pay rates for animal attendants are generally guided by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award (MA000118).

Entry-level wages are typically aligned with Animal Care Employee Level 1 or 2.

Under award conditions, pay rates often sit within the lower to mid $20 per hour range, depending on age and classification.

Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman website for the most current award rates

Entry-level pay depends on:

• Experience
• Employment type (full-time, part-time or casual)
• Workplace setting
• Award classification level

While salary is important, many students enter this industry for long-term career growth and progression opportunities. As you continue to study and grow your responsibilities in the workplace, your salary and pay will increase too.

Career progression pathways

Starting as an animal attendant can lead to:

• Senior Animal Attendant
• Kennel or Cattery Supervisor
• Grooming Assistant
• Veterinary Nursing pathway
• Wildlife Carer
• Animal Behaviour Specialist
• Practice Manager (long term)

As you gain experience and continue your education, your responsibilities, earning potential and career opportunities expand. Your Cert II is the first step. Where you go next is up to you.

What Most People Don’t Realise About This Career

• Cleaning is a major part of the job

Animals can be messy and maintaining clean, hygienic environments is essential for their health and welfare.

• It can be physically demanding

You’ll be active most of the day. Lifting, cleaning and standing for long periods is common.

• Emotional resilience is important

Caring deeply for animals means learning how to manage the emotional aspects of the role so you can sustain a long and fulfilling career.

• It’s not “just playing with animals”

Play and enrichment are part of the job, but so are health checks, hygiene routines, feeding protocols and maintaining safety standards.

Can I work in a vet clinic with Certificate II in Animal Care?

Yes, in entry-level support roles. Many students use this qualification to gain experience before progressing into veterinary nursing.

Is animal attendant physically demanding?

Yes. The role involves cleaning, lifting, standing for long periods and active care tasks.

Do I need experience before studying?

No. Certificate II is designed as an entry-level qualification.

Can I work with wildlife?

Certificate II can support entry-level roles in wildlife facilities, although additional training may be required depending on the organisation.

What’s the difference between animal attendant and vet nurse?

Animal attendants focus on daily care and welfare. Vet nurses perform medical and surgical nursing duties and require higher-level qualifications.

If you want to work with animals but don’t know where to start, studying a Certificate II in Animal Care is one of the most practical first steps you can take.

It opens doors to multiple industries, builds real workplace skills and gives you the confidence to begin your journey in animal care.

For many graduates, it’s not just a qualification.

It’s the beginning of a lifelong career doing work that truly matters.