A career as an animal attendant is perfect for those passionate about animal welfare and providing hands-on care. Animal attendants play a crucial role in maintaining the health, comfort and well-being of animals in a variety of settings.
If you love working with animals and want to make a difference in their lives, becoming an animal attendant can be a fulfilling career choice. This role allows you to work closely with animals, ensure their well-being and gain experience in the animal care industry.
It can also be a stepping stone to other careers in animal care, such as veterinary nursing or animal training.
Providing proper care for animals is essential to their physical and mental well-being. Animal attendants help maintain clean and safe environments, ensure proper feeding and enrichment, and monitor for any signs of illness or distress.
Their work contributes to the overall health, happiness and rehoming success of animals in shelters, boarding facilities and other care settings.
Animal attendants have a variety of daily responsibilities, including:
Successful animal attendants possess a range of essential skills, including:
Animal attendants can work in a range of settings and environments including:
Animal attendants typically work with domestic animals like dogs and cats but you may also care for small mammals, birds, reptiles and even wildlife, depending on your place of employment.
As of early 2025, the average national salary for an animal attendant in Australia is approximately between AUD $46,300 to $58,500 (based on approx. award rates from fairwork.gov.au). Salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, level of responsibility, location and specific employer (shelter, veterinary clinic, wildlife park or council-run facility).
While the pay can be modest, many animal attendants choose this career not for the financial rewards, but for their deep passion for animals and the satisfaction of making a real difference in their care and wellbeing. For those dedicated to the industry, gaining experience and further training can open doors to higher-paying roles and career progression.
As pet ownership and animal welfare awareness grow, so does the demand for skilled animal attendants. There are increasing opportunities for employment in shelters, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics, making it a stable and rewarding career path.
To become an animal attendant, it is beneficial to complete formal training through accredited courses. Many employers look for candidates with hands-on experience and relevant qualifications such as:
Many animal attendants gain experience through volunteering or entry-level positions before progressing to specialised roles. Continuing education and on-the-job training can also help advance your career.
A career as an animal attendant is a fantastic opportunity for animal lovers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of animals. With the right training and dedication, you can enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling career in the animal care industry.
Skilled volunteers and foster carers play a crucial role in animal rescues, offering hands-on care and enrichment to animals in need. With formal training, you can take your compassion further and contribute meaningfully to animal welfare efforts.
Already a dog trainer, Kelby sought to expand her knowledge and refine her skills by enrolling in AVT’s Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training. Now, she feels more confident in supporting owners and taking on more challenging cases in her business, Full of Beans Dog Training.
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The leader in delivery of Australian Nationally Recognised Qualifications including ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies), ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, ACM40818 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) delivers a range of qualifications and short courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation based in Perth, Western Australia, providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. More about us →
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